Meet Mallo Obasi | Writer & Poet

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mallo Obasi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mallo, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I pursued an artistic career because my art saved my life. Before I started writing I was dealing with depression and self loathing. Writing became therapeutic. It was a way I could vent how I’m feeling with no judgement, begin to make sense of my thoughts and release any bottled up emotion. The first piece I ever wrote was titled “7-Line Suicide”. It spoke on black men who suffer in silence to the point of self – destruction. My work was healing to me but as I began to perform and get positive feedback I knew I could impact people with my words. Being a creative is what feels right to me. I get the most satisfaction out of my work when people tell me they were inspired by something I said. My work is raw because I believe in living my truth and through living mine encourage others to live theirs.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My brand is called “Gutter Poetry”. What sets my work apart is the rawness of it. Everything is blunt and its not always meant to feel good. It’s meant to feel authentic. My work is a juxtaposition of Baltimore’s stereotypical viewpoints of crime and violence with my art being somewhat of a light and byproduct of that same environment. I’m a storyteller who doesn’t mind exposing my own demons to create genuine art. I believe it’s a power in putting my own faults, flaws and failures out there because it’s relatable and shows resiliency through every obstacle. I’m very inspired by artist such as Nas, Scarface and Black Thought. To me they are top tier story tellers and not just rappers but literary artist. My most proud moment was getting to freestyle for Sway. He’s a legend in hip-hop and that was something I really wanted to do. I chased the opportunity for weeks and when it finally happened he responded to my work with such enthusiasm it became a moment I’ll never forget. Through this journey I’ve learned that you have to stay hungry in your craft and have total self belief. The hungrier you are the more work gets done. You may not have an opportunity directly in front of you but when you’re working to master your craft and that opportunity comes you will be more than ready. And self belief is everything. This path comes with a lot of rejection, being told no, and people doubting you. It is imperative that you believe in yourself one hundred percent because you are going to be tested . You will never feel more discouraged so you must have belief to persevere. Those who don’t quit get their glory in the end but you have to feel you are capable and deserving of it. I want the world to know that my story is for the underdogs. I believe we can do anything through our own willpower no matter how daunting the task. That we are enough, we are deserving and we can use failures as fuel to succeed. I can honestly say that sometimes I feel like I didn’t create Gutter Poetry , but in a sense it created me . Through honing in on my craft I’ve channeled levels of discipline , faith and sacrifice that I never were in me. I meditate and visualize often so I can stay focused on the large picture whenever I may start to feel discouraged.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
f anybody was to come to my city I would take them to 25th street. It’s an area with thriving black businesses, community and not what people think of when they hear Baltimore. We would eat at Terra Cafe or Vasachy, go grab a juice from Greenhouse Juice Bar, and hit Reflection Eternal barbershop for a cut and game a chess. This community has also shaped me a lot and the people around there have watched me grow up over the years. I would also have to recommend Everyones Place which is in the heart of West Baltimore. It’s somewhere I used to frequent. I would read for as long as I can and it’s one of the places I first started to appreciate the craft of writing.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to shout out the whole city of Baltimore. Baltimore has been a big source for my inspiration. If there was no Baltimore there would be no Gutter Poetry. Baltimore is a underexposed city when it comes to other cultures, which makes it rich in its own heritage. When I travel to New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and other bigger cities to perform my work is unique. From the way I talk, the energy I bring to the stage, and how I dress. It’s all derived from Baltimore. In all of my work I try to include blocks from Baltimore ,landmarks or events. Someone on the East Coast may have never been to Los Angeles but because they heard an artist mention Leimert Park they may be inclined to go there, meet some of the people and support business in that area so I try to do the same with places in my city . I’ve been groomed by creative entrepreneurs and business owners here in the city that have showed me how possible it is to thrive off of your own ingenuity. I’m grateful for my birth place and the people here who embrace me.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mallo.obasi/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallo-obasi-maddox-2067951aa/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yh5eCCZ7TM&lc=UgytL96EXRQbtirE8xF4AaABAg

Image Credits
Kirby Griffin & Ashley Chambers