Malcolm Mays grew up surrounded by hardship, but instead of letting it define him, he channeled that energy into a creative force that would eventually earn him critical praise. Born on February 14, 1990, in Los Angeles, CA, Malcolm Mays was raised in the tough streets of South Central—a place known for its challenges and resilience. His upbringing was deeply influenced by the neighborhood’s complex history, including close family ties to its gang culture; notably, his uncle was Stanley “Tookie” Williams, one of the founders of the Crips. But rather than follow that path, Malcolm Mays chose a different route—art.
By the time he was just 17 years old, in 2007, Malcolm Mays had already written and directed his first feature film, Trouble. The project caught the attention of Sony Pictures and acclaimed producer Todd Black, leading to a feature in the New York Times that highlighted Malcolm Mays’ bold vision and determination. Though the film didn’t get a wide theatrical release, it marked the beginning of a promising career. From there, Malcolm Mays continued building momentum, co-writing the short film The Division and making his acting debut alongside Cuba Gooding Jr. in the 2013 indie drama Life of a King.
That same year, showing his range beyond the screen, Malcolm Mays stepped into the music world with his debut single, Dichotomy—a title that seemed to reflect the dualities he’d faced growing up. Then, in 2015, Malcolm Mays appeared in Antoine Fuqua’s powerful boxing drama Southpaw, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Forest Whitaker, and Rachel McAdams. The role helped solidify his presence in Hollywood, and shortly after the film’s release, he dropped his next track, Ruthless, further proving his versatility as an artist.
Eventually, Malcolm Mays returned to the world he knew best—1980s Los Angeles during the crack epidemic—by joining the cast of John Singleton’s gripping FX series Snowfall (2017–). It was a full-circle moment, not only for his career but also for his storytelling, which continues to draw from real-life experiences. Through every phase of his journey, Malcolm Mays has remained authentic, using his voice across film and music to reflect truth, struggle, and hope.
When it comes to Malcolm M. Mays’s work, one standout is definitely Southpaw (2015), which happens to be his highest rated film to date. It’s clear that Malcolm M. Mays made a strong impact with this project, earning well-deserved praise from both critics and audiences alike. On the other hand, looking back at his earlier efforts, Life of a King (2013) received more mixed reviews and stands as the lowest rated movie associated with Malcolm M. Mays. Still, it’s worth noting that even in less acclaimed works, Malcolm M. Mays brought depth and dedication. Overall, Malcolm M. Mays continues to build a diverse and compelling body of work across film and music.