Malick Ba is one of the most memorable individuals I have met at NIGO’s former SoHo workshop. “What makes him so special?” you might ask. Well, it’s simply because of his benevolent nature.

Throughout his pre-teen years, a bright-eyed Malick would frequent the shop with so much wonder that his joyous energy would flicker the lights in the glass display which showcased all of the rainbow colored Bapestas. (Think of a swagged out version of ‘Seven’ from Stranger Things using her super power—without the pent up anger…and nosebleed.) All jokes aside, Malick always had a sincere presence and his appreciation for our talks on the second floor was a testament of his sheer eagerness to win in this matrix.

Fast forward to today, the 25-year-old creative is thriving exactly like I thought he would. Malick is now living an eventful, globetrotting life with his 070 crew which is led by the sonic-bending musical acrobat herself, 070 Shake.

It’s been years since I had a full conversation with Malick so this sitdown is a very special one. Check out our talk below as we discussed his childhood, dabble in rap, undeniable bond with Shake and future endeavors. Enjoy!

FRENDY: Fam, I didn’t even know you were a rapper until I started doing research on you and the 070 crew. I like how you kept it a secret throughout the years you visited me at BAPE.

MALICK: *Laughs* That was something I did a bit after the BAPE store days. I don’t make music at the moment though.

Kanye West On The Second Floor of BAPE NYC (91 Green Street, SoHo)

FRENDY: *Laughs* Ok, I see. I was about to say it was impressive how you kept it lowkey if you were actually rapping back then because I was always bombarded by people telling me they made music and got constant inquiries about the possibility of me managing them.

MALICK: I pride myself on being lowkey in everything I do. Sometimes I like to have people guessing or wondering *Laughs*. Back then I was a bit shy too.

FRENDY: Yeah you were, but that’s what intrigued me about you. You reminded me of my younger self. How are you, my man? I remember when we first spoke about having this sitdown you were in Paris during Fashion Week. How was that experience?

MALICK: I’m doing great. Trying to balance being social while being creative. Fashion week was really cool actually. This isn’t my first one but definitely one of my favorites. Things were a bit crazy because of protests, but besides that it was great!

FRENDY: I’m really happy to hear that. How long did you end up staying in France?

MALICK: I was meant to go for only three days, but I ended up staying for one week.

FRENDY: Got you. Were you having too much fun out there? *Laughs*

MALICK: Yeah, trying to balance it though. *Laughs*

FRENDY: I don’t blame you. Pardon my ignorance, but I always thought the 070 collective was from Miami or somewhere in Florida since Shake was managed by social media star YesJulz at one point. Come to find out, y’all are from New Jersey. Most of the crew is from the North Bergen area. Are you as well?

MALICK: Yes! Jersey is Home.

FRENDY: I saw some amazing pics and videos on Instagram showcasing your trip to Dakar, Senegal with the caption: “The motherland.” Do you have roots there?

MALICK: Yeah, I’m fully Senegalese. I grew up there and moved to the U.S—I have deep roots there.

FRENDY: When did you and your parents move to the U.S? And how big of a culture shock was it for you coming here?

MALICK: When I was four-years-old we moved to the U.S. It was a big culture shock to me but in a positive way [because] it opened my mind up so much.

FRENDY: Same way I felt when I moved here when I was seven-years-old. You were stopping by the BAPE store at such a young age…by yourself at that. How long did it usually take you to get to SoHo from Jersey?

MALICK: It took me a bit *Laughs*. I was on Tumblr a lot and saw the style in NY. As well as NY having all the coolest stores, I naturally gravitated there. Some of the best times of my life were when I was young and in NY.

Old Supreme Store in SoHo Photographed by Joe Buglewicz

FRENDY: Did anyone in particular introduce you to the area besides seeing all of the amazing pics of it on Tumblr?

MALICK: No one specifically, it was just me and my friends from Jersey starting to explore a bit and naturally just ended up in the coolest area. Which to us was definitely SoHo.

FRENDY: Exploration leads to expansion. What made you fall in love with SoHo when you were actually there?

MALICK: I think it was the fact that I was so into fashion at that point in my life and literally every store or brand I can think of was in that area.

FRENDY: When did your interest in rapping come about?

MALICK: It came from just tagging along to the studio with friends and one day I just tried it. I always loved rap music, though, growing up.

FRENDY: Who were your favorite spitters growing up? And who are you currently rocking with right now?

MALICK: Definitely listened to a lot of Kanye, Lil’ Wayne then moved to even older music like Biggie, lots of MF doom. Right now, I listen to a bit of everything and really like UK rap like my boy Lancey Foux, Fimi Guerrero etc.

FRENDY: How’d you link up with Shake and the 070 collective?

MALICK: Me and Shake grew up together. [We] went to the same middle school and High School. We just became close after working the same summer job and from there everything just took off.

FRENDY: Dani better known as ‘Shake’ said, “I have to change the way people think. They don’t think. They think about physicality. They don’t think about what they don’t see, which is what’s important.” Does her statement overall summarize the essence of 070?

MALICK: I think that it does. In essence, we are trying to expand people’s way of thinking to be bigger than what you just see. Ideas that inspire is the goal.

Malick, 070 Shake and some members of the 070 Crew in Billboard Photographed by Matthew Salacuse

FRENDY: Amen. How many members are in the group?

MALICK: To be honest with you it’s not a crazy number, but more than I can count on my hands. *Laughs*

FRENDY: You guys released The 070 project: Chapter 1 mixtape back in December of 2016. Any chance of y’all dropping a follow up?

MALICK: It's highly requested, who knows maybe it will happen.

FRENDY: Shake got her nickname from her shifty basketball moves. Were you heavily into the sport as well?

MALICK: I played a lot of soccer growing up. I definitely loved sports and still do.

FRENDY: At what point did you realize the crew can go far with this music shit?

MALICK: Once people would stop us in the street and ask for photos. Also when Julz got in the mix and we started performing outside of Jersey—I knew it was lit.

FRENDY: Are you cultivating new raps or do you have a more intrinsic role behind the scenes with Shake and the collective?

MALICK: I’ve definitely stepped more into the role of creative direction + curation rather than recording music. But who knows, that can change at any point too. I’m not bound to anything.

FRENDY: In 2022, you were involved in the YZY shades campaign, which was an epic look. How’d that play come about?

MALICK: I was in London and it happened super randomly through Julz.

FRENDY: Besides YZY, I saw you’ve been working with a few clothing brands who are coming up in their own right. What attracts you to a particular line?

MALICK: I think I just like authenticity mostly. Not trying to fit in but doing something I think is cool will definitely make me gravitate towards a brand. Also comfortability.

FRENDY: What are your favorite brands at the moment?

MALICK: Hmmm…that’s a tough question *Laughs*. At the moment I don’t have a favorite.

FRENDY: *Laughs* That’s a first—but I respect it! Are you interested in creating your own clothing line one day?

MALICK: Surprisingly no, I wouldn’t be. But I would be into creating cool accessories or partnering with a brand to do a collaboration.

FRENDY: You’ve traveled to various places around the world simply from your devout passion for art, music and fashion. Which location has been your favorite destination thus far?

MALICK: Most surprising place I never thought I’d go was Russia, which I really enjoyed. But my favorite place I’d have to say would be Stockholm, Sweden.

FRENDY: Why is that?

MALICK: I think the lifestyle in Sweden is very healthy, clean, progressive and I just love it aesthetically.

FRENDY: What do your parents think about all of the major moves you’re making?

MALICK: They’re traditional so at first it was hard to get their support. But now they trust me and know I’m doing the right things in my life.

FRENDY: How does it feel to have a best friend like Shake blow up and not switch sides on you?

MALICK: It feels good to be able to have a close connection with someone despite who they are or what they have.

FRENDY: What would you want your legacy to look like after it’s all said and done?

MALICK: I would like to be an example for anyone who has ever been confused on what their purpose is. Creating my own world, expressing my creativity and building a legacy for my family name.

Benevolent Malick

Blog Entries