Most artists build a fanbase after touring a country. MALIA did it the other way around.
Without ever performing in South Africa, the American neo-soul and R&B artist has quietly built one of her strongest international audiences through streaming alone, with Johannesburg emerging as one of her top cities worldwide. Now she’s officially introducing herself to South African listeners with the release of her new single, Touch.
“I’m honestly so grateful that South Africa discovered my music before I even had the chance to come there,” says MALIA. “It means so much to know that people connected with my music organically and made space for it in their lives.”
Listen to the single here: https://open.spotify.com/track/2cN0Kf6rs34zhgklL4qf7k?si=91EymLLhQD21GPSfdCv2ZQ&utm_source=copy-link
MALIA is no stranger to international recognition. She was personally chosen by Alicia Keys to record a commemorative cover celebrating the 20th anniversary of Songs In A Minor, with the recording later featured on Alicia Keys’ Spotify profile. She has also toured with Corinne Bailey Rae and JMSN, opened for Syd, and is both a Fender and Martin Guitar artist.
Her arrival comes as R&B continues to thrive in South Africa. Spotify recently revealed that South Africans streamed more than 8.5 billion minutes of R&B during 2025, equivalent to over 142 million hours of listening. MALIA’s organic rise in the country reflects the growing appetite for alternative R&B and neo-soul among local audiences.
Globally, MALIA has amassed more than 100 million streams across her catalogue and attracts over 500,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. In just a few months, she has also gained approximately 70,000 TikTok followers from South Africa.
Touch captures the chemistry, vulnerability and anticipation between two people discovering one another. Wrapped in understated production and MALIA’s soulful vocals, the track explores the quiet intensity of allowing a connection to unfold naturally.
“‘Touch’ is about that feeling of being drawn to someone and allowing yourself to explore that connection,” she explains. “There’s curiosity, chemistry and a desire to take your time with someone. I wanted the song to feel intimate and honest while still leaving room for the listener to interpret it in their own way.”
Originally from the Pacific Northwest in the United States, MALIA has carved out a distinctive space through her blend of neo-soul, alternative R&B and deeply personal songwriting.
Her latest album, If I’m Being Honest, released on 3 July 2026, explores themes of self-discovery, love, boundaries and personal growth, continuing the emotionally honest storytelling that has become a hallmark of her music.
For MALIA, Touch marks more than the release of a new single. It’s the beginning of a relationship with a country that embraced her music long before she ever had the chance to introduce herself.