Malakey

Biography

Malakey is a Malian rapper from Bamako. A former footballer turned rapper, he fuses the melodies of Mandingo music with urban hip-hop — a signature that makes him one of the leading figures of Mali's new musical generation, honouring the country's cultural heritage while carrying it to the world's stages.

He first came to wider attention with a featuring alongside Amadou & Mariam on “L'incompris”, and released his debut album “Lamine” in 2022. In July 2023, he pulled off a feat few Malian artists have managed: filling Bamako's Stade du 26 mars by selling practically every seat directly to his fans — a record noted by the Malian press. Specialist media (Music In Africa, L'Essor) rank him among the current heavyweights of Malian rap, alongside Iba One, Mylmo N'Sahel, Gaspi and Adji One.

After starting out on the Malian label Djagueleya Music (distributed by Universal Music Africa), Malakey signed with the French label ALLMADE, home to his albums “Mr Key” (2024) and “Mr Key suite” (2025). His track “Baby Myria” (2025) has passed 16 million views on YouTube. In 2026, he was named in the first wave of artists announced by Visa For Music (Rabat) and announced a major concert at the Palais de la Culture in Abidjan in 2027.

“La Lettre”: the collaboration with Youssoupha

In his single “La Lettre”, Malakey revealed he had first imagined the song as a collaboration with Youssoupha, the French-Congolese rapper he admires — before performing it alone, feeling he was not yet ready to share it the way he had dreamed. He then appealed to his community to carry his message to Youssoupha. The call did not go unanswered: Youssoupha replied “L'appel est reçu” (“The call has been received”), then posted a dedicated video — “Cette lettre est pour toi Malakey” (“This letter is for you, Malakey”) — before the collaboration became official.

On 29 May 2026, “La lettre (Remix)” by Malakey & Youssoupha was released on the ALLMADE label (produced by Maiga Zackaria). The music press covered the meeting, from Mood Music — “the intimacy of Malakey, the timelessness of Youssoupha” — to Malian hip-hop chronicles. A meeting of two generations of French-language rap, from Bamako to Kinshasa and Paris.

On video — his official clips

« La Réalité (Sekou Sangaré) » · Official video

« Bi Mogoya » · Official video

« Elephuck » · Official video

Official clips, on his YouTube channel. “La lettre (Remix)” with Youssoupha is streaming on Audiomack.

Distinctions and benchmarks

Debut album “Lamine” in 2022 · Bamako's Stade du 26 mars filled in July 2023, with seats sold directly to fans · Albums “Mr Key” (2024) and “Mr Key suite” (2025) on ALLMADE · “Baby Myria”, over 16 million YouTube views · “La lettre (Remix)” with Youssoupha, 29 May 2026 · Selected for Visa For Music 2026 (Rabat) · Concert announced at the Palais de la Culture, Abidjan, in 2027.

Performing formats

• Full live concert (with band)
• Festival showcase
• Rap and Mandingo music stage sets
• Tours in Africa and Europe