Funk-Rock Guitarist Malina Moye Blazes Her Own Unique Path

Malina Moye is one of the most dynamic rising artists on the music scene today. The talented guitar slinger has been blowing people away with her considerable fretboard prowess and prodigious skills as a live performer. Moye’s sound is a potent fusion of funk and rock. And in addition to her impressive guitar kills, the Cleveland, Ohio native is also an accomplished singer and songwriter.

In October of last year, Moye dropped her latest EP Rock & Roll Baby, which is a marvelous six-song collection of funk, rock and soul tracks. Its first single, “K-yotic,” features legendary funk master Bootsy Collins. The song is an irresistible slice of funk-rock, with Bootsy bringing his signature goofy charm to the mix. The song debuted at #5 on the Billboard Twitter 140 chart and at #11 on Billboard’s Hot Singles sales chart. And the album landed on Billboard’s Heat Seekers.

And in February, Moye released the EP’s second single, “Are You The One,” which is a superb R&B/rock ballad. Another great track is the ferocious funk-rocker “Run Free” in which she lets loose with some dazzling fretboard fireworks. Additionally, Rock & Roll Baby boasts a terrific cover of Jimi Hendrix’s song “Foxey Lady.” Moye delivers a blistering guitar performance on this rock classic.

And the musician recruited some top-notch talent for her record. Bass maven Rhonda Smith played on “K-yotic,” and studio ace Alex Al laid down the bottom for the hard-rockin’ cut “A Little Rough.” And famed P-Funk and James Brown drummer Frankie “Kash” Waddy played on “K-yotic.” He also appeared in the song’s video along with fellow P-Funk alum Bootsy.

Moye’s star has been steadily on the rise over the last several years. She has been getting love from tons of music fans across the globe, and a number of noted music publications have been showering her with praise. Guitar World Magazine lauded her as one of the “10 Female Guitarists You Should Know” and described Rock & Roll Baby as “insanely good.” And Billboard Magazine called Moye’s collaboration with Boosty “explosive” and wrote the following about her: “If Moye has her own way, she’ll usher in a revival of funk, rock, and R&B into mainstream music.” In January, Moye graced the cover of Gitar Plus magazine, which hailed her as the “Queen of Funk Rock.”

And addition to recording, Moye has been killing it on stage. She’s a charismatic live performer who knows how to captivate an audience. Her live performances are also marked by her unconventional playing style; she plays left-handed and strums upside down. The guitarist has a special custom-made Fender Stratocaster to fit her unique style of playing.

One of Moye’s notable concert outings was her participation in the Experience Hendrix Tour in 2012 and again in 2014, which paid tribute to the late guitar genius. As a performer on these tours, she had the opportunity to play alongside acclaimed axmen such as Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Eric Gales, Zakk Wylde and Robert Randolph. And Moye was the only female guitarist invited to perform at the 2012 tour.

She also performed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tribute concert for Chuck Berry that same year. And she had the privilege of performing “God Save the Queen” on guitar at the world-famous Goodwood Festival of Speed in honor of the Queen of England’s 60-year jubilee.

And in 2010, Moye performed a soul-stirring rendition of the National Anthem on guitar at the sold-out Vikings/Cowboys game in front of 65,000 people. She was the first African-American woman to play the National Anthem on electric guitar at a professional sporting event. And last year, she performed her track “A Little Rough” on The Arsenio Hall Show. Moreover, Moye has toured with several big-name artists, including Robin Thicke, Boyz II Men, Journey and Lyfe Jennings.

And in addition to being a great musician and performer, Moye is a successful entrepreneur. She founded her own record label in 2004 called WCE Records and released her critically acclaimed debut album, Diamonds & Guitars (2009), on the label. And she is the first African-American left-handed female guitar player to join Fender Guitars’ esteemed roster of endorsees, which includes Eric Clapton and John Mayer.

 In 2013, Moye and her record label, WCE Records, signed a global distribution and marketing partnership deal with Brody Distribution Group, distributed by Red (A Division Of Sony Corporation). Her latest EP, Rock & Roll Baby, was released under this new partnership.

 Moye is carving out her own niche in the music game with a winning combo of talent, style, drive and business acumen. The multitalented musician/entrepreneur is an exciting new voice on the scene and has no doubt inspired legions of girls and young women to consider a career in music—particularly as badass guitar slingers.

To learn more about Moye and to get tour dates and music release info, visit her website.

Video for "K-yotic"



Moye playing the National Anthem



Performing Original Song "Hustler's Blues" live


Rock & Roll Baby at Amazon