Overcoming a desperately traumatic childhood, Joseph found solace by creating his own musical haven, saving money from his paper round to buy records and when hip hop arrived, he felt that he belonged. In 1988, with no music formal education, Malik got his first job co. of Harri Harrigan, resident DJ + co-founder at Glasgow’s Sub Club. His role wasn’t as a DJ or performer but as the ‘bus boy’ collecting empty glasses, and all the while watching and learning from the artists that frequented the Subbie’s stage.

The 90s arrived and Joseph travelled down to London, spending time in the studio with the Young Disciples, getting a true education in how to blend samples with original compositions. In 1994, along with Calvin Nuttal, Malik became part of MF Outa ‘National, (which transformed into Blacka-nized in the same year), with their first ever release, ‘Miles Out Of Time (Astrocentric Mix ‘n’ Beats)’ on the Mo’ Wax compilation, ‘Headz – a soundtrack of experimental Hip Hop beats’. This gave him the confidence to move back to Scotland to establish his own studio in Edinburgh, giving young artists the chance to record even if they couldn’t pay for studio time. Joseph believed in giving them the same opportunity in music as he’d been given.

1994 was a busy year for Joseph when he co-founded his Café Graffiti club night “Lizard Lounge”, which helped Café Graffiti win ‘Club of the Year’ two of the three years that it was in existence by bringing over US performers like Gil Scott Heron, Rueben Wilson, the Blackbyrds and the Last Poets. Gil befriended Joseph, spending time with him in Edinburgh – Malik readily admits that Mr Heron has had the most impact on his life spending real time with him in private and passing on his knowledge.

The Lizard Lounge finally closed its doors in 2000 and Joseph went back to recording but this time as a solo artist, signing to German label, Compost Records. Together with co-producer, David Donnelly, Joseph delivered Diverse Part 1 in 2002, the first album in the ‘Diverse’ trilogy which would define his music career over the next three decades.

A brace of EPs followed including ‘Reconstructions’ (2002), ‘I don’t want’ (2003) and in 2004, ‘Aquarius Songs’ became the last album released on Compost along with the ‘Silent Fools’ EP. Fast forwarding to 2009, Joseph’s vocals appeared on Linkwood Family’s ‘Miles Away’ track and although never credited as the vocalist, this performance has gone into house music history.

Joseph’s next LP, ‘Diverse Part 2’, the second in the Diverse trilogy, eventually got released in 2018 after Ramrock Records label boss, Jo Wallace, discovered the promo album in her spam trap. After a frantic midnight phone call, Joseph and Jo verbally agreed to release the project, little realising that it would lead to a very happy and incredibly creative period for both parties. During 2018, along with ‘Diverse Part 2’, Joseph released the rollocking ‘Take A Left’, played over 10 weeks in a row by BBC Radio 6’s Craig Charles on his ‘Funk and Soul’ show.

The majestic ‘Love Bound’ EP followed, showcasing Joseph’s outstanding vocals and song writing skills and Malik’s musical star was once again in the ascent. A live performance on BBC Radio London’s ‘Robert Elms Show’ with David Donnelly ensued, along with glowing reviews in the music press + columns including MOJO and The Scotsman as well as Gilles Peterson nominating ‘Diverse Part 2’ as his BBC 6 Music ‘Album of the Month’. 2019 saw the formation of what Joseph called ‘the Edinburgh hive mind’ – Out of the Ordinary – a collective of the very best of Scottish musicians with a huge musical cannon between them – Malcolm Ross (Orange Juice/Aztec Camera), Steven Christie (The Proclaimers), David Donnelly, Chris Greive (SNJO), Tam Dean Burn/ Rusty Burn (Fire Engines), Rosanne Erskine (Coco and the Bean) and support from international playwright, Irvine Welsh. Their album, ‘Stranger Things Have Happened’ spawned the ‘Meadows’ EP in 2019 and ‘Kind of Strange’ EP in early 2020.’

Joseph released charity single ‘Republic of Persevere’ which raised £500 for Edinburgh’s homeless charity, Streetwork (see The Herald article). Radio presenter, Vic Galloway invited the band onto his BBC Radio Scotland Sessions and Craig Charles also included the track on his 2020 ‘Trunk of Funk Vol 1’ CD.

All through lockdown, Joseph worked on the final part of the ‘Diverse’ trilogy – ‘Diverse Part 3’ (2021) tackling powerful issues including Joseph’s personal involvement in the #BLM movement (see Edinburgh Reporter article, Bella Caledonia article and The Scotsman review + video session) and racial inequality (see World Treasures Music review and Just Festival review). ‘I Quit My 9 to 5’ and ‘Reason to Be’ EPs both came out in 2021, both enjoying enormous success on the radio, with the added bonus of Craig Charles including a further album track, ‘Mixed Race Combination’ on his ‘Trunk of Funk Vol.2’ as well as choosing ‘Diverse Part 3’ as his BBC 6 Music ‘Album of the Year’. 2021 also saw Joseph collaborating with long-time friend, musical confidante and keyboard player to Scottish super group The Proclaimers, Steven Christie. The ‘Til Sunday’ EP is an achingly beautiful production and Joseph’s vocals truly shine – here’s footage of a streamed performance during lockdown (see Twisted Soul’s review). The follow up EP, ‘Justify Me’ also features Edinburgh based songstress, Nicole Cassandra Smit.

In 2022, Joseph closed the final chapter in the ‘Diverse’ trilogy – the remix LP, ‘Diverse Part 3 Variant Issue’ which has already had strong radio support from Worldwide FM, Soho Radio, Solar Radio, Amazing Radio, Totally Wired Radio and Reform Radio. His work was finally recognised at the 2022 Boisdale Awards where Joseph received the ‘One to Watch’ award and performed alongside the Jools Holland Band. Gilles Peterson also invited Joseph to perform in the highly respected Brownswood Basemen Sessions on his Worldwide FM Show. 2023 is already earmarked for the summer release of his ‘Proxima Ebony’ which is at drawing board stage with the rough demos already shaping up to be Malik classic compositions.