Ever wonder how a dyslexic kid, juggling cheap cereal and bologna sandwiches, turned into a musical sage who schooled Gen X on samplers and jazz-vs-teen-music battles? Well, today’s cosmic vibes—blaming a rather inscrutable Mercury retrograde for stirring up memories—shine a spotlight on the remarkable journey of Mal Jam, a man who was the early Roots co-signer and a behind-the-scenes hero. I mean, who else could make hiding weed and ear piercings from “respectable politics” parents look like an art form? Meeting him back in ’94 was like stepping into a mixtape of life lessons, laughter, and endless playlists. So, as we brace ourselves in 2025 to say goodbye—way too soon—let’s ask: what does it mean to adult without leaning on your folks? If Mal taught us anything, it’s to live fully in the moment, no cynicism allowed. Buckle up, and prepare to get the low-down on a life that’s as relatable as your favorite TV family drama. LEARN MORE
“Seeing myself in every episode through his shoes: like being bad at football, wanting clothes outside of my budget, hiding things from your parents (ear piercings or weed), living in a ‘respectable politics’ house of jazz vs ‘teen music’ —-pssssh Theo being instrumental to a lion’s share of gen x teens to see how a sampler worked!!! Or even singalongs at a family gathering—-him dealing with dyslexia ——he even had me think I too can get by in life surviving on ‘bologna & cereal’ and for the first time thinking about ‘what does it mean to be an adult without depending on your parents?’
Alot of us only had the Huxtables to vicariously live through and I was Malcolm. Meeting him on 94 was a thrill when I first got in the biz.
Mal Jam was the earliest co-signer of the Roots. He attended many a show way before the world got to know us. All that time talking about music extensively and we never got our chance to collaborate as we said we would.
He was an amazing soul who always took the time out to school me and talk about his experiences in life and the business. We always traded music and playlists with each other and despite all that he went through in life he expressed ZERO cynicism or bitterness in his journey and constantly lived in the present which dictated his future——he was never the guy stuck in a glory days bubble (but always graciously obliged me when I asked a gajillion questions of ‘what was it like back then?!!).’
I wasn’t prepared to say goodbye in this manner but here we are in 2025. Love & Strength to his family and his loved ones and all of the people his life’s journey inspired.
Thank you Mal Jammin On The One!”
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.