Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!
Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!

JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Inspection Review

Jelani Malik
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE


Jelani Malik
INSIDE

Street Date: October 14, 2022
Style: Hip Hop / R&B
Official Site: Official Website
Buy It: iTunes




When your family tree includes members of Public Enemy, it's likely that hip hop runs through your veins. Jelani Malik and his new album Inside seem to be solid evidence of this. That being said, instead of the classic gangsta rap sounds of Public Enemy, Inside is a lot more modern, with a larger focus on smooth R&B vocals and beats than raps and boom bap. Malik proves to be a competent singer; he's not the strongest vocalist I've ever heard, but he's not bad by any means, and he knows how to use his vocals to complement the music. And the few times he does lean into rapping, it also works in the song's favor. "Circles" is a great example and probably the best sample platter for everything he brings to the table, with a low-key, yet catchy musical melody, chill hop-esque beats, and a strong blend of singing and rapping. It also dives a little into Malik's backstory, as he tried to figure out life on his own: "I was so caught up painting thoughts and dreams that don't mean much to me / but I had to face reality, that wasn't the plan You had for me … But You took my hand / slowed me down enough to see / the voids that need that filling start with G-O-D." All of it combines into a real highlight of the album that would be a perfect addition to your softer playlists. This song also sets up a nice run of songs from here into another highlight, "Lotus," which does feature heavily auto-tuned vocals and a mild trap beat, but sounds great within the album's context. Inside has a lot going for it, but there are a few areas of opportunity to be found, too. The songs could use some kind of flavor to help them stand out a bit more. That being said, the opposite critique can also be made, as a couple of tracks stand out too much. For instance, the "Boop Bap" skit near the beginning of the tracklist, though amusing, doesn't really seem to serve a purpose for the album, and feels very out of place on an otherwise serious album. Additionally, "Joy" is a hyped up industrial dance track, with extremely muffled vocals, that comes out of nowhere to close the album on a wildly different note than you'd expect. There's a delicate balance when it comes to giving music a personality of its own, but it's definitely attainable for someone as clearly talented as Jelani Malik. If you like modern R&B and hip hop, Inside is more than worth a listen.

- Review date: 11/11/22, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!





 

 

go to main Indie review page
go to Indie Review Index

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH



This Friday, June 27, 2025
ALBUMS
7eventh Time Down We Praise You [BEC]
The Browns 25th Anniversary: Better Days Ahead [StowTown]
Franni Cash Wild Child - EP [Capitol CMG]
Matt Crocker interlude [Anotherland]
Jimmy Fortune Songs of an American Dreamer [Gaither]
Roxanne Grace Road Trip - EP [DREAM]
JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise The Live Reunion: Washington, DC [James Town]
Kutless The Seventh Seal - EP [BEC]
Evvie McKinney It Ain't Over - EP (independent)
Rusty Shipp Capsized Empire (independent)
SEU Worship A Forgiving God [Provident]
The Shimmering Carnelians The Doorway (Version 2.0) (independent)
We Are Messengers A Thousand Times - EP [Curb]

SINGLES
Anchor & Braille Rattlesnake - Single [Equal Vision]
ANTHNY imposter syndrome - Single [Provident]
Blanca Right On Time - Single [Curb]
Landry Cantrell & Elenee sunshine & rainbows - Single [DREAM]
Eddie Clark Never Content - Single [Syntax]
Colony House Atomic - Single [Roon]
Megan Danielle Preachin' To The Choir - Single [Provident]
Drea LP & OnBeatMusic Don't Try Me (DTM) - Single [Syntax]
Joseph Habedank Running to Me - Single [Daywind]
Lonnie Hunter Flow (Like A River) - Single [Uncle G]
Kashh Kade HELP - Single [Syntax]
KB x KEANU Keanu's Song - Single [Provident]
Tasha Layton Singing In the Dark - Single [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard The Hand That Keeps Holding - Single [Motown Gospel]
Tim Lovelace Celebration of America Medley (feat. Charlie McCoy) - Single [StowTown]
Lecrae Tell No Lie (feat. Jackie Hill Perry) - Single [Reach]
LO Worship The Perfect Love of Jesus - Single [Integrity]
Patrick Mayberry Thank The Lord - Single [Provident]
Michael Monroe John The Baptist (feat. Chris Renzema) - Single [Provident]
Alexander Pappas A Great Awakening / Un Nuevo Despertar - Single [Integrity]
PEABOD Summer in Seattle - Single [RMG Amplify]
Rave Jesus Walk On The Water Remix (From The Chosen) - Single [Provident]
The Rocky Valentines Nat Song - Single [Velvet Blue]
Saints In Exile & Cutright My Dead End (ft. Jeannie Ortega, Luc DiMarzio, Jericko) - Single [Syntax]
Emilie Weiss Take Care (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]

DVD
Jimmy Fortune Songs Of An American Dreamer DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, July 4, 2025
ALBUMS
Chad Cory America [DREAM]
Tenielle Neda The Way Of Love [Wings]

SINGLES
Christian Back Now - Single [DREAM]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images