James Ryan Ho, known professionally as Malay, is an American record producer, songwriter, and audio engineer. He won Best Urban Contemporary Album at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards for his work on Frank Ocean's Channel Orange (2012).
Early life and career
His father is Malaysian. Malay grew up in Bellingham, Washington where he was introduced to classic rock at an early age by his father. Both Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd sparked his interest in music. While he wrestled in school and showed great potential, he eventually quit the sport to pursue his career in music.
He began to teach himself guitar and piano while making money with a local band in Bellingham. During this period he would go on to build a recording studio in his home. He adopted the producer name 'Maylay' during the 1990s, derived from his best friend's native language's word for 'mountain'. Its spelling may have been changed to avoid confusion with another musical artist, Young Maylay, with whom he bears no relation.
In the mid-2000s, his skills were noticed and Jake One, a hip-hop producer who recruited him to help with the productions on releases for G-Unit. After working closely with Jake One, Malay moved to New York City where he got a job producing for MTV's Making the Band. Afterwards, Malay moved once more to Atlanta before ultimately settling in Los Angeles in 2010.
Malay has produced for a number of artists. He was producer for John Legend's album Evolver (2008), and Frank Ocean's channel ORANGE (2012); the latter won a number of accolades, including the Grammy Award for Best Urban Contemporary Album, as well as 2013 Grammy Award nominations for Album of the Year, Best New Artist, and Record of the Year for "Thinkin Bout You". He also co-produced Zayn's debut album Mind of Mine (2016).
Malay co-founded Britannia Row Recordings in 2016, in partnership with BMG. In 2018, the label signed The Parlor Mob, a rock band based in New Jersey.
Discography
AlbumSong(s)ArtistYearCredits Konnakol (album)
Zayn 2026 Producer, writerHades "Uncanny Valley"Melanie MartinezProducer, Writer, Engineer Girl Of My Dreams
FLETCHER2022Producer, writer Solar Power
Lorde2021 Three. Two. One.
Lennon StellaThe S(ex) Tapes
FLETCHER2020 You Ruined New York City for Me
2019 Moonlight
Johnnyswim Icarus Falls
Zayn2018Village Jacob BanksProducer, Writer, Engineer, InstrumentationSaturn NAOWriter So Sad So Sexy
Lykke LiProducer, Writer The Thrill of It All Sam SmithProducer, Writer, Instrumentation Lewis CapaldiProducer, WriterDivinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent 2017Good for You AminéMelodrama
LordeProducerBlonde
Frank Ocean 2016Producer, Writer, Engineer, InstrumentationThe Get Down (Original Soundtrack from the Netflix Original Series)
VariousThe Heart Speaks in Whispers Corinne Bailey RaeWriterMind of Mine
ZaynProducer, WriterKnow-It-All Alessia Cara2015 All We Need
RauryBEcoming
Stacy BartheExecutive Producer, Producer, Writer, Engineer, InstrumentationHigher Than Here James MorrisonProducer, Writer, InstrumentationThirty One Jarryd JamesProducerUnbreakable Smile Tori KellyProducer, Writer, Engineer, InstrumentationRadius Allen StoneLove Story
YelawolfCategory 5
Linus Young2014Executive Producer, Producer, Writer, Engineer, InstrumentationNikki Nack Tune-YardsProducerAll I Wanna Do T. MillsCity of Sin (Single) Linus YoungProducer, Writer, InstrumentationDirty Gold
Angel Haze2013Producer, Writer, Instrumentation Love in the Future John LegendParadise Valley John MayerWriter, InstrumentationAge Against the Machine Goodie MobProducer, Writer, InstrumentationGirl on Fire Alicia Keys2012channel ORANGE
Frank Ocean2012Producer, Writer, Engineer, InstrumentationPlay It by Heart Jay James Picton Break of Dawn
Goapele2011Producer, WriterBest Night Of My Life Jamie Foxx2010Kandi Koated
KandiTrunk Muzik 0-60 YelawolfBack to Me
FantasiaSir Luscious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty Big BoiD.N.A. Mario2009Evolver
John Legend2008I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind II Killer MikeProducer, WriterJust a Rolling Stone Donnie KlangDay26 Day26Welcome to the Dollhouse Danity KaneFast Lane Hot Rod 2006Co-Produced with Jake OneGet Rich or Die Tryin' OST 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Prodigy, Spider Loc, Mase2005Additional Keys
References
External links