Jamaican dancehall sensation Malie Donn’s debut project, The Grand Rising, is finally here. Produced by Dan Sky Records and Attomatic Records, and powered by VPAL Music, the album marks a defining moment in the Spanish Town native’s career. It fuses raw ambition, atmospheric beats, and unflinching narratives from Jamaica’s gritty realities into a project that is both deeply personal and globally resonant.
At just 23, Malie Donn has earned a reputation for his brazen street tales and witty rhymes, seamlessly shifting between heartfelt reflections on grief and vivid tales of his latest exploits. The Grand Rising captures this duality with standout tracks like “Don Julio,” rooted in mischief and excess, while “Alive,” with contributions from Byron Messia, blends lines of gratitude and pain.
“This being my first official project, the title The Grand Rising signifies growth in my career,” Malie Donn explains. “It’s about me taking the next step to becoming the greatest, and it’s very personal to me.”
Malie Donn has emerged as a powerhouse since 2021. Tracks like “V6,” one of Jamaica’s biggest global hits in 2023, have firmly established him as a key figure in today’s dancehall scene. Critics have taken notice, with Billboard.com naming him a standout voice among the new wave of Jamaican artists redefining the sound.
The project’s tracklist showcases his dynamic range: “7:00,” with Armanii, revels in boundless indulgence; “Cry,” featuring Squash, pays tribute to a fallen friend over haunting production; and “Powaz” delivers a kingpin manifesto, highlighting Malie’s sharp and impish wordplay.
The Grand Rising builds on the momentum of a breakout year. Malie Donn sold out his first NYC show, delivered an electrifying performance at Reggae Sumfest in Jamaica, and brought the sound of modern dancehall to Brooklyn this summer for Angela Yee Day.
His commanding live presence cements his status as one of modern dancehall’s most compelling figures, a reputation bolstered by appearances on 4 Shooters Only: From the Block and On the Radar Radio. Most recently, he took over Jouvay Night Club in Queens, NY, with a high-energy release party on November 15.
The Grand Rising was made available digitally on November 22.
Stream here: MalieDonn.lnk.to/TheGrandRising