2x GRAMMY © Award-winning producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist James “Malay” Ho has expertly assembled a dynamic and diverse discography of critically acclaimed hits across multiple genres. Working with the likes of Frank Ocean and John Legend to Zayn Malik, Lykke Li, JP Saxe and Mau Y Ricky, he consistently looks at the bigger picture.
Malay’s impact is prominently evident in Frank Ocean’s ‘channel ORANGE,’ where he assumed roles as a producer, songwriter, engineer, and musician, contributing to much of the album. By seamlessly melding timeless R&B vibes, rich cinematic atmospheres, and an enigmatic unpredictability, the album debuted at #2 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, achieved RIAA Gold certification, and secured a GRAMMY © Award in 2013 for ‘Best Urban Contemporary Album.’ During this period, another Malay production and composition, ‘One Thing’ took center stage in Alicia Keys’ GRAMMY © Award-winning album, ‘Girl On Fire.’
Malay holds a staunchly “old-school” perspective regarding the role of a producer, advocating for artists to authentically express themselves because that’s “when the audience truly connects with the music.” His unwavering commitment to this principle has solidified his status as one of the most sought-after producers in the music industry. In 2022, he was nominated at the Latin Grammy Awards for ‘Album of The Year,’ and ‘Best Engineered Album,’ for Elsa Y Elmar’s newest album ‘Ya No Somos Los Mismos.’
His recent projects encompass a wide spectrum of talent, from collaborating with renown New Zealand band, Six60 to songwriter Lewis Capaldi, to joining forces with pop sensation Fletcher on her album, ‘Girl of My Dreams.’ Furthermore, he has been working with JP Saxe on his latest album, ‘A Gray Area’ and delving into the Latin Pop and Reggaeton space alongside Venezuelan duo Mau Y Ricky on their latest track, “Vas A Destrozarme.” His continued success and acclaim serve as a testament to his enduring influence and remarkable production skills in the ever-evolving world of music.