|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 The Film Scorer's Scores
Composer and producer Malik Williams shared his love for a wide range of movie scores…
On Hans Zimmer’s score for Gladiator: "Very heroic and emotional. It was a macho love story to me, like Spartacus. Love, loyalty, and betrayal."
On Paul Leonard-Morgan’s score for Limitless: "This music really drove the movie from beginning to end. I could feel the adrenaline and the rush!"
On Isaac Hayes’s score for Shaft (1971): "This dude is super cool."
On James Horner’s score for Titanic (1997): "Listening to this soundtrack made me want to live the story. Very moving, leading to an ultimately sad ending."
On Mark Isham’s score for Blade (1997): "The action of this soundtrack was brilliant. Heart-racing music!!"
On A.R. Rahman’s score for Slumdog Millionaire: "This music was really cool. It was an international party… but American enough to cross over to all cultures. It's all about the rhythm. It was very exotic or sexy too!" Good Composition
"Explore different areas of music first," says composer and producer Malik Williams to aspiring composers. "Find out what area or areas interest you most. Do you want to play, write, or create music? Is it the production or engineering aspect of music that excites you? I happen to wear many hats in the music business, and I find that it works for me.” Malik continues, “Take every opportunity to network and learn. Find like-minded friends and family to share what you've learned during your expedition... as like everything in life. Most of all, learn at your pace, have fun, and believe in you and where you are throughout your journey. I've found that even if an opportunity didn't seem to have much benefit on the outside looking in, typically I've found out that there was. I think that's just how the universe works, and it always feels good." Studio Gear
"I use Apple/Mac computers, MOTU's Digital Performer software, iZotope software, Cakewalk software, and various other synth plug-ins," says composer and producer Malik Williams. "For acoustic instruments, I use various guitars and effects — acoustic and electric guitars, bass guitars, authentic percussion instruments I've purchased from countries around the world... although my voice is probably my primary instrument" Breathing Music
"I have many other skills I've acquired through my life, but music is the one thing that opened my eyes to the world," says composer and producer Malik Williams. "I cherish so many friends I've made of all walks of life… young and old. It provides many opportunities to learn, teach and share… I especially love sharing with children. It breaks down the walls of prejudice of economic class and cultures in communities and builds confidence that sustains throughout a lifetime.” And as Malik’s example proves, music can lead you to totally unexpected adventures. “I am the voice of El Luchador in the Xbox game Fighters Uncaged for Kinect!" Dinner Party Tunes
When composer and producer Malik Williams invites his friends over for a meal, you can bet he'll be playing tunes from this list: Scary Movie 3, Purple Rain, Batman (1989) by Prince, Shaft, Titanic, Napoleon Dynamite, Coyote Ugly, and Slumdog Millionaire Hear Malik Live and Virtually
"I will be performing at various venues with Louie Bello, Lisa Bello, and Brandon Cappiello," says composer and producer Malik Williams. "I will be playing guitar, bass, keyboard, and additional vocals in their bands." You can also check out Malik's music by heading to malikwilliams.com and facebook.com/LiptunesMusic. And look for his work on iTunes and YouTube, too.
|
The Soundtrack of Life
If Bobby Brown were your cousin, if you witnessed him hit it big as a kid in New Edition, if you watched him marry the dazzling late Whitney Houston, it wouldn't be such a stretch for you to pursue music as a career. Malik Williams was, in fact, Bobby's cousin, but he avoided the industry for a very long time. Turns out, if you're in Malik's family, music is not meant to be dodged.
A Dorchester native, Malik grew up surrounded by music; his dad, a gas station manager and entrepreneur, loved to play guitar and sing, while his mom noodled around with opera — on the side, thank you. It was his father's sister's son who was the serious musician: Bobby Brown had rocketed to stardom as a middle schooler in the boy band New Edition. Malik, already in high school, didn't hang with the younger kids (uncool!) and set his sights on becoming an engineer or an architect. He graduated from Boston Technical High School and then enrolled in Wentworth Institute of Technology. That path ended abruptly after Malik permanently injured his rotator cuff at a part-time job at a supply warehouse. He wasn't covered by insurance, could not afford surgery, and needed to make money. Fast. So he did what he knew best: music. He set up a recording studio in his apartment, hustled up some business, and, before he knew it, was making more money than he had ever pulled in his life. He wrote, recorded, and produced music — and discovered that he was good at it. Soon, after a stint as the production manager for New Kids on the Block's Jordan Knight, Malik worked his way into scoring soundtracks for movies, films, and commercials. He earned a rep for creating notes that perfectly reflected the emotion and cadence of scripts, from The Young and the Restless to Scary Movie 3. Along with composing scores, Malik plays a host of instruments and performs vocals (impersonating everything from a female voice to a hardcore rapper) out of his Boston studio. There's a soundtrack for every scene and mood on screen and in real life, says Malik, whose own score might blend jazz and opera ... and even a few notes from New Edition.
|
ADVERTISEMENT
|
