Biography

Malaika Mfalme

Somewhere between Tracy Chapman, a choir sung under open skies, and a story whispered over tea sits the music of Malaika Mfalme. In their mother tongue, Swahili, their name translates to “Angel King.” Born in London and raised across continents, the Tanzanian/Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist now creates on Gadigal Land, making music that feels both deeply intimate and quietly enormous. Rooted in folk, soul, and East African traditions of harmony and storytelling, their songs wander through love, tenderness, grief, longing, and the strange beauty of being changed by other people.

Following the release of their acclaimed debut album “Yasmin” in 2023, a deeply personal body of work exploring the loss of their partner, love, and healing, Malaika quietly built a reputation as one of Australia’s most emotionally resonant live performers. Known for immersive shows rich with layered harmonies, looping, and storytelling, they have performed over 500 live shows, shared stages with artists including Ben Lee, Nadia Reid, Alex the Astronaut, and Alter Boy, and appeared at major events including the Victoria Street Party, Sydney World Pride, and Rising Tide Festival.

In 2025, Malaika embarked on their sold-out national Unfurling tour, bringing audiences together across Naarm, Gadigal, Mulubinba, and Ngunnawal and beyond for performances that felt less like concerts and more like collective remembering. Perhaps fitting for someone named Mfalme (king) their work extends beyond performance, creating spaces that feel expansive, tender, and deeply human.

Achievements
 

Headline Show at Phoenix Central Park
March 2026
Unfurling Sold Out National Tour
December 2025
Victoria Pride Street Party 
February 2026
Performed at Rising Tide Festival
December 2025
Supported Ben Lee on NSW Tour
March 2025
Creation Chorale Soloist
2020 - 2025
Open Act Performances for
Ben Lee, Nadia Reid, Alex the Astronaut, Alter Boy, Bootleg Rascal, Keeah'n, O and the Mo and Mark Wilkinson
2024-2025
Red Rattler Board Member
2025-2026
Kaleidoscope Collective Director 
2024-2026
Human Rights Conference Performer
2023
Singapore Tour 4 Venues Over 2 Days
May 2024
Adelaide Cabaret Festival with 
Kween Kong, Virginia Gay, and Brendan Maclean
June 2024
Sydney World Pride Performer
2023
Sydney Women's March Performer
2017 - 2019
Sofar Sounds 
Sydney, Newcastle, and Singapore
2018 - 2023
250+ Live Performances
2023-2026
Queers of Joy Founder and Host
2020-2025
Inkloosive Groove Founder and Host
2023-2026
Singapore Tour 4 Venues Over 2 Days
May 2024
 
   

Releases

"Unfurling" ep

2025

"Unfurling" is the chapter that comes after grief; after Yasmin, after loss, after learning how to breathe again. It’s me stepping back into life with tenderness and curiosity, learning what happens after the mourning has settled. These songs sit in the space between healing and becoming; where friendship breakups still sting, but don’t undo me anymore. Where growth means allowing, forgiving, giving myself permission to try again.It’s about the small mercies; about grace. About seeing our bodies as archives, holding the stories, scars, and soft marks that tell us who we’ve been. Every wrinkle, every line, every healed wound is part of the roadmap back to ourselves.

We grow. We learn. We unfurl.

  • 10,000+ streams in the first week of release, signalling strong early audience engagement and playlist traction.

National Media Coverage
Unfurling received widespread editorial support across queer, indie, and mainstream music press, including:

QNewsQueer artist Malaika Mfalme brings Unfurling tour to Melbourne

Backseat Mafia“Unfurling blooms in a room built for listening” (Live review)

Happy MagNew Australian Music Releases (November 2025)

Sounds of Oz — Feature review

Out in PerthFresh Tracks: The latest tunes worth checking out

Together these features positioned Unfurling as both a critically respected and community-supported release across Australia and beyond.

  • Global Radio Support

50+ radio plays across Australia, the UK (London), Denmark, Germany, and North America

Supported by both independent and tastemaker stations championing queer, alternative, and soul-rooted artists

  • Top 5 Countries 
    1. United States 
    2. Australia
    3. Canada
    4. United Kingdom
    5. Germany

"Yasmin" Album

2023

"Yasmin" comprises nine soul-stirring compositions that pay homage to the timeless genres of folk and soul. Embarking on a musical odyssey that explores themes of grief, queer love, loss, self-acceptance, gender identity, and self-discovery, Angel King invites listeners to step into a safe space of healing and reflection. Each song is a chapter in Angel King's personal journey, resonating with the listener's own experiences and emotions. Through heartfelt lyrics and melodic prowess, Angel King delicately examines the human condition, capturing the beauty found in even the most challenging moments of life.

Notables
 

Good man single

2023

"Good Man" is a heartfelt tribute to the strength of Black women and a personal exploration of identity. Crafted during a period of self-discovery, the song reflects on the journey to embrace one's true self, inspired by their desire for society to capture the concept of tender masculinity.

Created with the support of the Ya Ya's program at Offbeat Collective, the song blends Malaika's unique performance style, combining acoustic guitar with a looping pedal and pickaso bow, promising a captivating and empowering experience.

Imagine if you were here

2020

"Imagine If You Were Here" is a hauntingly beautiful ballad written by Mfalme as a tribute to their partner who passed away suddenly in 2019. The song is a touching reflection on the power of love and the pain of loss. As Malaika navigates through the grieving process, they find solace in their music and use it as a means of processing. It is a poignant reminder that even in times of great loss, music can be a powerful source of healing and hope.

Videos