Malik Harris represents Germany at the ESC with his song “Rockstars”. It’s about his carefree childhood. In an interview, he reveals what he struggled with as a child.
Malik Harris, 24, is Germany’s great hope: The singer from Landsberg am Lech in Bavaria should score a lot of points in the “Eurovision Song Contest” (ESC) on May 14, 2022 in Turin. Since winning the preliminary round for Germany, the musician has noticed how his career is gaining momentum. In the GALA interview, he reveals what tip his father Ricky Harris, 59, – former moderator of the 90s talk show “Ricky!” – gave him advice for the future.
ESC candidate Malik Harris with a one-man show
In addition, the singer, who otherwise seems so relaxed, reveals why his songs are not so happy but rather profound, why his childhood was not always so carefree, whether he has a girlfriend and that he will probably not only sing at his ESC performance in May .
GALA: In “Rockstars”, your song for the ESC, you sing: “I’m afraid of being nobody”. Are you afraid of being a “nobody”?
Malik Harris: Yes, I have that feeling, even though I know that a lot of people know me and celebrate my music.
What would have to happen for you to stop feeling that way?
Music helps me a bit. Above all, the stage makes me feel like I’m not a “nobody”. I hope that one day I will feel the same way without the music. I don’t have the key for it yet.
“Rockstars” is about a carefree childhood
You always seem in a good mood in interviews, but your lyrics are rather sentimental and profound. How does that fit together?
On the one hand, I think a lot about everything.
Sometimes I want to tell my head to shut up for five minutes.
It’s exhausting to think about everything. That’s what “Rockstars” is about. On the other hand, I’m naturally in a good mood and I’m good at pushing those thoughts away when I’m not making music.
Your ESC song is also about a carefree childhood and “the good old days”. How carefree was your childhood?
I had a super nice childhood. I grew up in a time when cell phones weren’t a big thing. So I was outside a lot, climbing trees, swimming in the lake, sledding in the winter. Sometimes I wish I had that carefree time back. Back then I didn’t think too much about everything. I think it’s a shame that you lose that as you get older.
Malik Harris’ family didn’t have much money
What negative times do you remember alongside these beautiful memories?
We never had a lot of money growing up. As a child, I didn’t have much understanding when I wasn’t allowed to have something and then I got mad at my family. Looking back, I know how mean that was of me and it hurts to think back on it.
Have you also experienced discrimination based on the color of your skin?
There was racist hostility in football. Otherwise, I have experienced discrimination rather subliminally, for example in the game “Who’s Afraid of the Black Man”. My whole family is full of black men. That’s why I asked myself at the time: why do you have to be afraid of black men?
Are these experiences the reason why you support the “Black Lives Matter” movement, for example?
I do believe that my political commitment comes from my childhood. When you come from a black family, you are almost automatically pushed to get involved in politics. Back then, my grandfather protested on the street with my grandmother alongside Martin Luther King. And right now we are again living in a time when we all have to stick together. I would like to do my part in this.
Through my music I can reach many people. I have to use that to change something.
Dad Ricky Harris tipped him off
Her father, Ricky Harris, is a well-known presenter and actor. Did he give you show business tips?
Yes, but the world of music today is different from the world of TV moderation 20 years ago. However, I remembered one tip: The more well-known you become, the more people suddenly get in touch with whom you have never had close contact before. I’ve experienced that too. That’s why I heed his tip: I always keep the people I can rely on close to me.
Actually you wanted to start in 2020 with your own big tour and performances at festivals. Then Corona intervened. Do you catch up now?
There’s a lot to do. If Corona allows it, I go to many festivals and with Amy Macdonald. I’m most looking forward to my first big tour of my own. It starts on May 15, 2022, one day after the ESC in Turin.
Malik Harris is convinced of his music
So your career is picking up speed. Other artists struggled with their sudden notoriety. Lena Meyer-Landrut recently said that she had the feeling that she had missed something. Do you feel prepared for your possible career jump?
I think because it’s always been my dream, I’m more prepared and more relaxed. But unless you’re up there, you don’t know what it’s like. Maybe I underestimate that too.
In recent years, German candidates have rarely been successful at the ESC. Are you afraid that your career could go in a different direction as a result of the ESC, that is, could get a kink?
No. I’m too convinced of the song and my music. And even if something should go wrong: I wouldn’t let it get me down.
This is the status of his ESC appearance
According to the ESC barometer, your song has so far been in the lower midfield. Would you be happy with that?
No, I’m too ambitious for that. Lower midfield? This is definitely expandable.
Can you already give details about your ESC performance in Turin?
That’s all still in the planning stage.
But I’m most comfortable on stage when I’m alone with my loop station and my instruments. That’s the way I make my music and it’s not going to change anytime soon.
Malik Harris has a girlfriend
Her song “When we’ve arrived” is about a lost love. How about you now?
I’m over this love and now I have a girlfriend.
Does that mean there could be love songs from you in the future?
That could happen, I’ve definitely already written some.