Born in 2010 in Gravesend, Kent, England, Malakai Bayoh is an opera singer who performs under his given name of Malakai. The son of African immigrants, he began his musical journey as a chorister at St. George’s Cathedral in Southwark. He attended the Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School in London and sang with the Schola Cantorum. He made his solo debut in 2022 performing the role of Oberto in Handel's Alcina at the Royal Opera House in London. This acclaimed performance earned him an Olivier Award (2023) and led to his televised duet with acclaimed vocalist Aled Jones, where the duo performed two holiday songs - "O Holy Night" and "Walking in the Air" - in December 2022. In April 2023, Malakai sang Mozart arias with the English National Opera Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall just days before auditioning for the 16th season of Britain’s Got Talent. His performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Pie Jesu” earned him a spot on the show, the Golden Buzzer, and international acclaim. Although Malakai did not win the season, his performances earned him a recording contract with Universal Classics. Malakai’s debut album, Golden, was released in July 2023 and featured collaborations with composers Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sir Karl Jenkins.
