Black Entertainment

Malika Makes The Band……Well Sort Of.

Oakland, Ca – — Oakland native Malika Ubaka has been through some things in her lifetime. She’s survived the harsh Oakland streets, succeeded at single-parenthood and even survived a devastating fire that destroyed her grand parents house. In the midst of what some my view as hardships and struggles, Malika’s dreams of being a star never wavered.

Starting off as a rapper in the late 90’s, Malika expanded her talents to singing, songwriting, modeling, and acting. During the past decade she’s performed and recorded with the likes of Too Short, Dwayne Wiggins (of Tony Toni Tone) and E A SKI. . She won the Ruff Ryders “Go Hard or Go Home” competition in 2003 and has appeared on TV shows, in magazines, and on runways, becoming a local celebrity. This year her star shined nationwide after she landed a coveted spot on the MTV reality show Making The Band. Hand picked by three close associates of P.Diddy, Malika was thrust into a house with 19 other girls all vying to become the main kitty of “P.Diddy’s Pussycats” (as dubbed by KING MAGAZINE).

“When I found out I was going to New York, I knew that I had been waiting my whole life for this moment,” Malika said. “It was crazy, the same week the premiere episode of Making The Band aired, I was in Jet Magazine as the Beauty of the Week and appeared in an episode of Blind Date. To me, those occurrences signified I was destined to make the band.”

And make the band she did. Well sort of. In the last episode of the first season, Diddy called the remaining girls back from a month-long hiatus. Some girls had gained weight, while others like Malika, stepped up their game while away. Before the last episode ended, Diddy made an astonishing decision. Although he had chosen 3 of the girls from the first season including Malika, there would be no band! He was planning to hold more auditions in select cities and those new recruits would join Malika, Aubrey, and Aundrea next season.

“I wasn’t surprised when Diddy decided not to make the band”, Malika divulges. “You could tell that he was leaning in that direction, that’s why I had to lose those extra ten pounds and come back to New York with my A-game. When I was back in the Bay, I stayed up on my vocal and dance lessons. I worked out every day ‘cause I was focused.”

Even though Diddy’s decision has somewhat delayed her rise to stardom, Malika has stayed focused and productive. As of late, Malika has been recording with rap legends Too Short, Richie Rich, and newcomer Clyde Carson of The Team . She is currently working on releasing a workout DVD that will focus on whittling down those problem areas and is also collaborating with The A-Team (Full Force), Mprint Music, and Uglyfingers on new material just in case things with Diddy don’t pan out.

“Through all of my experiences in the music business, I’ve learned to always be prepared for anything and use every opportunity as a stepping stone”, states Malika. “No matter what Season 2 brings, I’m still gonna be Malika, I’m still gonna be that “sexy chick with a ghetto twist”. And I’m gonna be prepared to take my career to the next level no matter what.”

Watch MTV’s Making The Band 3 – season 2 to see if Malika makes the band AGAIN!

You can find out more info on Malika at www.malikaent.com and purchase her debut album “You Don’t Know” at www.cdbaby.com/malika , Tower Records, and Rasputins. “You Don’t Know” features an introduction by 106 KMEL DJ Chuy Gomez, production by The A-Team (Full Force), and collaborations with singer/songwriter Meilani and rapper T.Husle.