A Syracuse sophomore is about to drop the hottest single of 2015

At just 10 years old, Malcolm-Ali Davis had gone on a National Tour playing a character we all know and love, Simba, from The Lion King.

Now he’s an Information Management and Technology major and member of Syracuse’s Class of 2018 – and he is ready to drop his song, The Last Time, on iTunes.

Malcolm has been promoting his talent around Syracuse, including recently performing his new single at UNICEF’s Snowflake Ball.

Here is a snippet of the performance:

A few days after his performance we interviewed Malcolm about his singing talent and where he wants to go from here.

Here’s what he had to say.

When did you start singing?

I started singing when I was a kid, but I didn’t really start singing professionally until I was 10 years old. Before that I was strictly an actor.

To date, what projects have you been most proud of?

I would have to say being Simba in the Lion King. Also, touring with Royal Caribbean was a lot of fun, and now being a recording artist. Music is so much fun, and I can’t wait until I release my project!

How do you usually go about writing a song?

Usually I go into the studio with my producer, and another writer and we just listen to the track and keep replaying it until someone comes up with an idea. From that point on we try to build around whatever that idea is. If it is a verse we try to fill in the chorus, and if it is the chorus we just go with that wherever it takes us.

Who are your biggest inspirations?

There is a lot of them, too many to name. I would say mainly Whitney Houston and Stevie Wonder, I really love my legends. Chaka Khan! Brian McKnight!

What artist would you like to work with dead or alive?

For dead I would say Whitney Houston, maybe sing her background vocals. Alive, Stevie Wonder or Prince for the legends. For current artists I would say, Luke James.

Who is your biggest supporter?

My mom, definitely my mom. She’s been there with me since I started. She toured with me when I did the Lion King. Even now she’s my support, my greatest critic, but also my motivation at the same time.

Keep an eye out for Malcolm’s single, The Last Time on iTunes in a week or two. This young and soulful vocalist is on the road to success.

In the mean time, check out one of Malcolm’s past performances.