ICYMI: #WomanCrushWednesday IG Live featuring Malina Moye

BY LAURA HARPER/WWR Staff Writer

Maintaining a positive attitude and staying true to your own craft is often a challenge for many artists, but it seems to be the driving force behind the powerful female guitarist Malina Moye.

Moye was born in Ohio and was surrounded by music in her household from the very beginning, particularly in the funk genre. As soon as she was able, she joined her mother, father, and brothers in a family band that would serve as the foundation for her future career in music.

Moye says she became aware of her desire to become a professional musician when she was only about six years old; while other kids her age were interested in cartoons and playing outside, she had a desire to excite audiences and perform.

While there are definitely benefits to performing in a family band, Moye says it prevented her from fully exploring her personal development as an independent musician. That is why she eventually moved to Los Angeles, California with only $20 and lived on the streets while she attempted to jumpstart her solo music career.

As a black female guitarist, many of the labels that Moye approached with her music turned her down, claiming that her image simply would not sell to audiences. Rather than giving up on her dreams, Moye decided to start her own record label called WCE Records, which she still owns and operates today. From there, she developed a team that was dedicated to her success and allowed her to achieve her goals.

When it came to starting her own business, Moye expressed the importance of taking an active role in the company rather than sitting back and allowing hired help to take care of the development process.

“Be a good person because people like to help people they like,” Moye said. “The universe will reward you for taking a chance on yourself.”

Moye also loves constantly working with people and forming lasting connections, both with those in her professional career and her fans, who she refers to as her friends.

“It’s all about human expression to connect with people through any format,” Moye said.

Moye finds this expression to be especially important during the COVID-19 global pandemic, which has prevented a lot of the direct human interaction that people thrive on. She expresses the importance of being able to pivot and find new and unique ways to continue to connect with people regardless of present circumstances.

As a woman in the music industry and a business owner, Moye has faced additional challenges in feeling as though she must prove herself and her worth as a musician. However, she also sees this as an opportunity to raise awareness of these issues to spark others to help take action.

“People just need to be aware of what is going on,” Moye said. “Then people can make efforts to change it.”

Currently, Moye is working on completing her next album which is slated for release early next year along with an accompanying tour. She also plans to do a couple standalone shows this year depending on pandemic restrictions.

For more on Malina Moye, you can check out the entire interview on the @OfficialWomenWhoRock IGTV channel on Instagram.