Southside native and proud product of the Wild 100’s, Malik Yusef is an 8-time Grammy Award-winning artist, poet, producer, and writer. Also known as The Wordsmyth, he has been wowing audiences with his unique brand of poetry and spoken word since the 90s when he came up on the scene with the likes of Common, Kanye West, Deon Cole, and more.
Yusef is a master songwriter and super producer with UMPG; a celebrated screenplay writer, director, and producer with credits ranging from Urban World Film Festival to Hollywood Show Your Shorts to the Cannes Film Short Corner.; A celebrity DJ; an Emmy and Tony-winning spoken word performer; and a well-traveled philanthropist and environmentalist with social justice and economic empowerment at the forefront, having done appearances and campaigns with Leo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, and Jaden Smith.
Malik is a Market Maker and Innovator in NFT, combining elements of his successful Entertainment, Fashion, and Art. Throughout his career Malik combines aspects of his successful entertainment, fashion, and art endeavors while working with luminaries such as Beyoncé and Common, as well as utilizing his ability to launch, find, and nurture new successful talent like Travis Scott, Big Sean, Raheem Devaughn as well leverage his great working relationships with Roc Nation, Universal, Sony, Warner Brothers, Believe Music, and more. Recent works include Production and Songwriting for the critically acclaimed album Donda by Kanye West. (2021)
N’DIGO recently sat down with Malik to talk about his beginnings in Chicago, his thoughts on emerging AI technology, and his heavily anticipated upcoming show at Chicago’s City Winery.
N’DIGO: In your own words, who is Malik Yusef?
Malik Yusef: Malik Yusef is a true dreamer, and dreams do come true.
How did you discover poetry and your ability to create it?
I started by writing a love letter to a high school sweetheart. She confronted me and thought I didn’t write it because she thought I wasn’t the type of person to write poetry. She interrogated me. She never believed it at the time. She knows now.
Did Spoken Word and the ability to perform your poetry in front of people come naturally, or did you have to work at it?
It’s still difficult. It always has been a lot of work to perform in front of so many people.
Can you discuss the marriage of poetry and music and your progression into a recording artist?
That marriage is not a seamless or natural merger. That’s because of things like rhythm, cadence, and syncopation. It’s not just putting words to music but blending these two distinctly different communication types.
Not only do you write for yourself, but you’ve also written and collaborated with a variety of artists. Do you find it easy to write for others? How does that process go for you?
Writing for others is still writing for a part of me. Perhaps it’s a hidden or suppressed part of myself, possibly a past or future self. But it all feels a little bit like a story I am witnessing or a story I am in. It’s all raw and not processed, I refine it, and I trim it, but I don’t process it; I feel it.
What can fans expect from your upcoming performance at City Winery?
The City Winery show will be a mix of pain, pleasure, power, perception, and punchlines. The accompaniment will be of the highest level, by the highest level musicians. It will be an amazing show!
Looking back, as a teenager on the Southside, could you imagine this path that you’ve taken as an artist and man?
Not at all. Not even close. It’s not close to what I imagined for myself.
What are your thoughts on the emergence of AI technology and how it will affect the entertainment business?
It’s a true disruptor of many things, and that takes an adjustment period. Authenticity will still have a foothold with real value. AI can be circumvented, but that power can be used for good or evil like anything else.
Having to juggle your work and various projects and real life and everything else, how do you maintain your mental health and/or self-care?
For me, It’s integrated, not separate, I go as hard as possible, and when my fuel is low, I pull over, and I refuel. Self-care is not just a jacuzzi with wine at the spa, but it’s nice when convenient. I believe the people I surround myself with, the practice of service, and the ultimate construct of who I am and who I am becoming are the things that settle me into good health overall.
Can you name a book that changed or really impacted your life?
“Jonathan Livingston Seagull” by Richard Bach. This book taught me that if you go through hardships in life, you eventually make a soft landing. That was in 6th grade—a great lesson at that age.
What are three of your all-time favorite albums?
Prince‘s “Purple Rain,” Michael Jackson‘s “Thriller,” and “No Jacket Required” by Phil Collins.
What’s something people would be surprised to know about you?
I found out later in life that I am allergic to Cats. Seriously.
Best advice for aspiring artists?
Approach music like it’s a business because they approach musicians like businessmen. Remember that nobody owes you anything in this game. Do not let your talent misinform you into thinking that you deserve an audience just because you have something to present that’s worthwhile. Also, think about how many new artists you listen to a day before you prompt someone to listen to your art.
Favorite quote or affirmation?
“What can be done, must be done, and it must be done by YOU, regardless of the level of difficulty.”
What’s next for Malik Yusef?
I will continue to do things that serve the earth and its inhabitants. I will continue to make kindness my religion; no matter how many rituals people perform and walk in that direction, those are just paths.
Catch Malik Yusef as he takes the stage at City Winery in the West Loop neighborhood for his first show in his hometown in almost a decade on Friday, August 25th. For ticket information, please visit City Winery’s website. Also, connect with Malik on Instagram: @malikyusef100.
