Today we’d like to introduce you to Mallory Baker.
Hi Mallory, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My name is Mallory Baker but I go by the stage name Mal B. I am originally from North Carolina and I moved to Atlanta in 2019 to pursue music. I consider myself an all-around creative. I discovered my passion and talent for rapping at 12 years old after being inspired by a Lecrae concert. I knew that I wanted to pursue music then and more importantly, that I wanted to make Christian hip-hop music. While it seems great that I knew what I wanted at twelve, the road to where I am today was anything but simple. I began rapping anywhere that would let me but mostly at youth group. When I was 17, I got accepted into a talent development program known as AMTC (Actors, Models, and Talent for Christ) where I was able to learn from and perform for many top industry executives, agents, directors, etc. I received a few callbacks from the showcase and this is what ultimately got me connected to Atlanta and made me decide to call Atlanta home.
However, during the years when all of this was happening, I was battling mental illnesses that I was trying to keep under cover from even my parents. I was riddled with anxiety, depression, OCD, and many other things but did not have any diagnosis, treatment, or a community of people who I trusted to confide in. I had zero friends. I started to stray away from my original passion and was ignoring the one who gave me the gift in the first place, God. I started trying to fix the brokenness and cure the pain with everything (drugs, men, etc.) but the only thing that can cure it which is the love of God. I had started using my music to glorify the world and I was angry that it wasn’t getting me anywhere. All the connections that I had either faded or I self-sabotaged. I was in a dark place and didn’t even want to live anymore. I thought that I must not be talented, that this just must not be for me, and that my life was over. BUT GOD. In my biggest moment of desperation in December 2021, I asked a friend what time church started the next morning because I knew I couldn’t keep living how I was.
Long story short, I went back to church and reconnected with God. It wasn’t an overnight fix but for the first time in my life, I have a community of people that I can genuinely trust and that support me. I rediscovered God’s love for me and that He had been there all along. And the crazy part? I started chasing God and his will and I don’t even have to chase the music anymore. The opportunities are coming to me. In the last quarter of 2022, I had more shows than I had in the three years I had lived in ATL previously. I have had the opportunity to open for LimoBlaze and have had countless other opportunities that I have been met with. I also love graphic design, videography, and post-production and I am now on a path to make this a career. I am launching my business, Veracity Creatives, soon which will provide a variety of creative services. I am thankful for God not leaving me where I was and I am excited for the future!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Mental health has been a major struggle. I struggled with anxiety, depression, OCD, and CPTSD for so long without any help. This led me to making bad decisions in hopes that something would cure the pain. I would make compromises in hopes that something would pop off for me in the entertainment industry and then maybe, I would be happy. I started hating music, creating, songwriting, and video which are all of my passions and ultimate dreams. I got myself into situations I didn’t want to be in and some that almost left me dead. It drained the life out of me and I didn’t want to live anymore. Ignoring mental health issues does not make them go away, it only makes them worse. And isolation is the devil’s favorite tactic because he knows that if you feel alone, you will do things you never even thought you would do. This is the situation I was in and I was overcome with these demonic things. But God is good and never left me. I turned back to Him and He delivered me from all of it and surrounded me with a solid friend group who I call my family. I can now boldly say that I am free from anxiety, depression, and all the mental illness I was plagued with! I want others to know that they can be free too. You do not have to live like this. It can get better! Now, this doesn’t mean I live completely struggle-free now. We’re all human and the trials will come. However, now I know who I am and I know that I can turn my struggles to God and I have a community of people around me to support me when those bad things try to creep back in. I know how to fight the battle now so that I don’t end up in that dark hole again.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a rapper and songwriter. I am also a graphic designer, videographer, and editor. Currently, I would say I am most known for my music. I make Christian hip hop music and I use my platform to glorify God and share my story. One obvious thing that sets me apart is that I am a white female excelling in rap. However, I believe that those things are not what sets me apart the most. I believe what sets me apart the most is the content of my music. I do not make “turn up” music. My music is worship. My music shares a story. At the end of the day, if my music didn’t point you to God in some way, then I have not done my job. I aim to make music that people can relate to, that shares the struggles I’ve had but also points to a brighter side and the one who can heal every wound, Jesus.
I currently have 2 songs (Be Alright and Anybody) out on all streaming platforms and a music video for Anybody on Youtube. However, in the midst of my mental health journey, I had taken a break from releasing any content in 2022. I am proud to say that I will be releasing a new song entitled “Freedom Anthem” at the end of January 2023. This song is my personal freedom anthem, a song of surrendering everything to God and being able to live in His strength. This is the first release of many in 2023 and I am excited to share all of the content I have kept hidden for so long due to anxiety. I am also proud of all the performances and events that I have been able to be a part of in this last quarter of 2022. I have had the opportunity to perform at The 47 Spot, Wild’n Experience, Creatives for Christ, and The Jesus Wave Fest to name a fe. These are all great ministries/events that spread the gospel through music and I give a big shoutout to every single one of them and the work they are doin for the Kingdom. One of my favorite performances this year was at The Jesus Wave Fest opening for LimoBlaze in his first ATL show. This opportunity was a huge blessing to me and the show was amazing.
I am also a graphic designer, videographer, and editor. I have a passion for creating and I love to be able to bring both my visions and others’ visions to life. I run cameras for live production at my church and have recently been trusted with the production of a new podcast. My current 9 to 5 is as a digital production specialist and I am aiming to expand my ventures. I am launching my business, Veracity Creatives, in 2023 which will provide a variety of creative services including but not limited to video, video editing, logo design, album artwork, content creation, and creative direction.
Any big plans?
I plan to keep going hard for God and going wherever He leads me. I will be releasing more music and getting more content out. I will be performing every opportunity I can get. I plan to put on events that target young people and advocate for mental health but also share the love and freedom that is found in Jesus. I am planning to take my music to the mission field. My ultimate goal is not fame or riches. At the end of the day, if I can reach just one person, then I will have succeeded.
I am releasing my single “Freedom Anthem” at the end of January 2023. This will be a new beginning in my music career and will be followed up with much more throughout the year. I also plan to launch my business, Veracity Creatives, in 2023.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.malbmusic.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/malbmusic
- Facebook: Facebook.com/malbmusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@malbmusic
- Other: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/mal-b/1549596161
