Connecting with Malele
Debut album a hit in PNG
FOR Tonton Malele, success as an artist means success for his community. It’s a duality that is reflected in his music, fusing Papua New Guinean melodies with contemporary reggae beats.
He’s been busy with that combination too, wrapping up his debut studio album — Maimai Inc Vol.1 — at the close of 2023, one which resonated with listeners in ways he didn’t quite anticipate.
“I didn’t expect that so many people around PNG would kind of relate to some of the songs on the album,” Malele told On the Record.
“I think that is what made the album so successful is that it was relatable.
“I had two songs on there where I was talking about losing my father ... and I forgot that there are people around Papua New Guinea and the Pacific that also have lost fathers.
“So for them to connect with the songs and say that it reminded them of a certain time, or a certain period in their lifetime … I think that’s what I was most proud of. I was putting up something relatable.
“The album is basically me. It kind of more represents my sound, what I gravitate towards in terms of sound, production, lyrics and everything.
“So I think the perfect word to describe the album is, it’s sort of like a diary.”
‘Music is universal’ Malele started his music career at an early age, singing in community shows and school assemblies.
In 2022, he released Pikinini Niu Ailan, and from there further popular songs like Sarere, Maris Noh Katigu, Mekim Mi Wari, and East Side.
Now, in his early 20s, Malele references Solomon Islands artist Jaro Local and Canadian rapper/ singer Tory Lanez as influences on his own song-making process.
“Jaro is one of the GOATS (greatest of all time),” Malele said, describing the way Local writes a catchy pre-chorus before the chorus hits.
“I really love the way he structures his songs. He’s very creative and that aspect of him paying attention to not only the production, but also these lyrics. He pays a lot of attention to how he structures his (songs).
“… that’s what I really love about Jaro, is his arrangement and melodies.”
Malele described Lanez as an artist with strong “melody choices” who shares a lot of his creative process via his live-streamed videos.
“One thing I really took away from Tory was to not write my lyrics down. It was a lot ... easier just to freestyle them. So I think that ... really changed the way I created music,” he said.
And of course, Malele described Wantoks as the ‘OGs’ while reflecting on their classic hit, Ramukaji.
“Ramukaji is in their language, and it’s a language that we don’t understand. But yet when we play the song, it kind of evokes certain emotions and it was a hit all throughout the Pacific,” he said.
“So I think that’s what I take from Wantoks and the way they wrote their songs, like it doesn’t matter if it’s in English or if it’s in a different language, because at the end of the day, music is universal.”
Influences and impact Looking ahead, Malele hopes his music will give back creatively in the same way that these artists have left an imprint on his own work.
“That’s why we do this. That’s kind of like the whole point of me putting out an album.
“I’ve had my own reference points and stuff like that, and certain artists who I look up to … and took inspiration from. So for me, I wanted to create something that best represents me, but can also play a big part in a reference environment for an up-and-coming artist.
“I know for sure ... it’s gonna inspire young, up-and-coming artists and I’m OK with it.
“I really want them to take something from this album and go make it their own … make something out of what they take out of the album. To go and make their own sound.”