Malachi Rivers is a New York City based rapper, poet, and actor whose lyrical soulfulness and avant-garde music making has earned national and international acclaim. A native of Maryland, Malachi cultivated a strong following in D.C.’s metropolitan music and spoken word scene before moving to New York City where his career quickly blossomed and he became a regular in the city’s staple music venues, including the Nuyorican Poets Café and SOB’s. Malachi’s lyrical skills and performances garnered the attention of Grammy nominated jazz musician Marcus Strickland, who asked Malachi to be the sole voice in his “Twi-Life” group and record the group’s debut album Open Reel Deck. The Village Voice touted Malachi as being able to persuade you with his lyrical abilities, writing: “Malachi recites and cajoles over a state of the art Jazz band.” The Denver Post likened him to the great jazz and soul singer poet Gil Scott-Heron. Shortly after the release of Open Reel Deck, Malachi toured with the “Twi-Life” collective, which performed at New York City’s legendary Blue Note Jazz Club and subsequently joined forces with a rotating collective of artists for a North American and European tour. During this period, Malachi released his debut single “Cloud 9”, which became an online favorite, and starred in two independent films Scrolls the Book of Life Part 1 and 2. He also ramped up to launch a solo project, which he released in the summer of 2012 to much buzz. The debut EP, Stereo Sound Escape, became an internet sensation, anchored by its lead single “A New World Part II - The Schizo Speaks” featuring HBO’s True Blood star Nelsan Ellis (Lafayette).