Irish hip hop superstar-in-the-making, Malaki, has a new single, titled 'The Riddler’ on the way. The track is planned for release on May 20. Musically, it is a fascinating new departure for the Dublin rapper, with a harder style than fans have become familiar with. It could be the record to take him into the charts across Europe and in the UK, where his following has been growing impressively.

There is the familiar Malaki verbal dexterity, a flow that brooks no argument and superb production from Matthew Harris. The track is the first release from a planned EP, set for release in August, entitled DFTTYM – an acronym for Don’t Forget To Take Your Medicine. On the basis of demos Hot Press has heard, fans can expect further fireworks on the EP, which seems certain to accelerate the rise of one of Ireland’s most promising artists of the new millennium. Malaki was recently voted No.3 Best Rap/Hip Hop Artist in Ireland in the Hot Press Readers’ Poll, with only Denise Chaila and the hugely popular Kneecap in front – and ahead of established names like Kojaque, Rejjie Snow and JYellowL.

Meanwhile, there was good news on the live front, with Malaki’s planned December date at the Academy being upgraded from Academy 2 to the main venue, which holds over 900 people. “There’s only a handful of tickets left, so it's as good as sold out,” an insider told Hot Press. “That’s a great result, and a sign of just how much Malaki has grown in stature over the past few months.” Malaki is also within a hair’s breadth of selling out his scheduled date at the London Camden Assembly, on December 7th.

Malaki was among the artists selected by Hot Press to participate in ‘Rave On Van Morrison’, the special tribute to Van Morrison, organised to coincide with his 75th birthday in August 2020, which also featured artists of the calibre of Hozier, Sinead O’Connor, Glen Hansard, Imelda May, Bronagh Gallagher and dozens more – including President Michael D. Higgins, who performed ‘Rave On, John Donne’ with music by Riverdance maestro, Bill Whelan.

Malaki’s video of ‘Someone Like You 2’ was widely regarded as one of the highlights of the collection and was subsequently released as a single by Hot Press, resulting in appearances on The Late Late Show and on Laura Whitmore’s BBC Five Live show, as well as support from BBC Radio One’s Jack Barron and daytime plays on RTÉ Radio One and 2fm, and Cork’s Red FM, as well as stations all over Ireland.

A limited edition album, Chrysalis, was also released on vinyl only late last year – which is destined to become a collectors’ item, with just 30 copies remaining available for sale. Chrysalis was voted No.4 debut album in the Hot Press Readers’ Poll.

Malaki’s next physical release will be handled internationally by Republic of Music, widely regarded as one of the hippest and most effective outfits in the business.

Since their launch Republic of Music have worked retail campaigns for artists as varied – and musically important – as Tame Impala, M83, The Charlatans, Caribou, Floating Points, Hinds, You Me At Six, Fleet Foxes, Two Door Cinema Club, Neneh Cherry, Bloc Party, The Black Keys, Moderat, Modeselektor, Midlake, Interpol, The Walkmen, Zola Jesus, Fatboy Slim, The Cribs, Lambchop, Mazzy Star, Flume, Major Lazer, Gold Panda, Beach House and many more.

Watch this space...