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Early Start - Born Jamaal Pollard, BET Music Matters artist Mali Music began playing the piano at five years old, he wrote his first song at age eight and has been actively pursuing music as a career since 11.(Photo: John Ricard / BET)

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Southern Transplant - Although based in Savannah, Georgia, Mali hails from Fresno, California- a inland area of Central California. (Photo: John Ricard/BET)

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So Much More - In addition to the piano, Mali also plays acoustic guitar and electric bass.(Photo: John Ricard / BET) 

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All Souled Out - Although rooted in gospel, Mali points about Bilal and D'Angelo as his inspirations and says that the music of Sam Cooke and Otis Redding are both strong influences over his work.(Photo: John Ricard / BET) 

Photo By Photo: John Ricard

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No Limit - Describing himself as "the truth in music," Mali constantly challenges the limits of traditional gospel music. (Photo: John Ricard / BET)

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Label Home - In 2006, the soulful singer founded Mali Music Note Productions and later SoundWalk Music Group in 2008. (Photo: John Ricard / BET)

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Enta Da Stage - Mali has become a legend in his local Christian Community for his work in the Faith on the Move Ministries International and for scoring two gospel stage plays, Urban Resurrection in 2005 and Zion’s March in 2006.(Photo: John Ricard / BET)

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Akonnection - Mali has signed with Akon's KonLive distribution label to release his upcoming album Mali is in 2012.(Photo: John Ricard / BET) 

Photo By Photo: John Ricard / BET

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Next Episode - His new single "The Job Experience" off his forthcoming album Mali Is was released exclusively on iTunes today. (Photo: John Ricard / BET)  (Photo: John Ricard / BET)

Photo By Photo: John Ricard / BET