Meet Malik Deering

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Malik Deering a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Malik, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?

Honestly I just enjoy the small things in life. The clouds spread out the sky on a nice day out, the colorful flowers that pop out in as I’m walking somewhere. Conversations I have are also a big part of my creativity, maybe not in the moment but when I’m reflecting back on them later on in the day/week. I’ve spent more than half my life writing music, and something I noticed is that while I can grind out writing things I maybe won’t use, I can also just take a step back and just enjoy my life. A important mentor of mine, taught me a lot about always moving forward and being that he was a artist through a different medium he helped me understand how to approach music from a different lense.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a full time musician who was born and raised out in Los Angeles, California. My uncles Lonnie and Arik Marshall were a big reason as to why I ended up being a musician as most of my favorite memories were hanging out with them watching them play throughout my childhood/adolescence. I would say my artistic goal for me is to get into scoring/composing for film/tv/video games. I’ve also have a passion for teaching which is what I’ve done since being done with Highschool. I studied music at the Silverlake Conservatory. Through learning there as well as teaching I’ve also realized how important it is to pass on whatever knowledge I have for the next generation as did the ones before me. As of recently I’ve also started hosting a open mic at Rosalind’s in Little Ethiopia every Thursday with my uncle Lonnie. So if you’re seeing this come down and express your art.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The Three Qualities I think are the ones that helped me the most, Discipline, understanding that no matter how much I know I still have much more to learn. Also the ability to be comfortable being uncomfortable. If you’re early in you journey keep up working on your craft. Have a vision for where you see yourself in Ten or so years and put in the work. Sometimes it may seem like you’re having rough days and not progressing at all but just remember even one percent progress is still moving forward to your goal. That philosophy is a Japanese one called Kaizen. Also if you don’t know something don’t be afraid to find someone to teach you, there is never a too late time to find a mentor or teacher. Last thing know you’re great and if you put in the work it will easy to show that to everyone around you. (That last sentence is even for not being in the arts but just in life.)

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

Honestly my parents most impactful thing is just being there for me and supporting me. I hear all the time my Dad sings my praises(maybe a bit too much hahaha) and my mom has been a rock helping me with navigating life as well as when I was starting out giving me the freedom to take chances I might not have with another. I love my parents and I’m lucky to have them in my life.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Hekrin_zero_772
• Soundcloud: Dreadfro
• Other: You can find my Solo album released last year on Spotify, Apple Music, etc, under the artist name Dreadfro. The album is called When it Rains.

Image Credits

Jr Snyder
Georgie
Elvi Cruz
Stony Boy Williamson
Mikey