Malakai Bayoh is a 13-year-old treble whose rapid rise to fame has seen him go viral singing ‘O Holy Night’ with Aled Jones at Christmas, and receive Simon Cowell’s golden buzzer on Britain’s Got Talent.
Malakai began singing as a chorister at St George’s Cathedral, Southwark in London. He now attends The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School, where he sings with the acclaimed Schola Cantorum under the direction of Scott Price.
In November 2022, Malakai made his Royal Opera House debut singing the role of Oberto, in Handel’s opera Alcina.
A month later, he was invited to record two duets with Classic FM presenter and singer, Aled Jones. Their renditions of ‘O Holy Night’ and ‘Walking in the Air’ have amassed over 25 million views on social media to date.
In April 2023, Malakai appeared on Britain’s Got Talent, telling the captivated audience, “My dream is to be a singer”. After singing Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Pie Jesu’, filled with his trademark high notes, he received the competition’s famed Golden Buzzer from Simon Cowell and soared through to the semi-finals. Cowell described Malakai’s as “one of the best voices I think I’ve ever heard”.
The same month, the young treble made his solo debut at the Royal Albert Hall at Classic FM in April 2023, receiving a standing ovation for his performances of Mozart’s ‘Alleluia’ and Handel’s ‘Lascia ch’io pianga’ alongside the English National Opera Orchestra and Chorus.
When he’s not bringing down the house at the Royal Albert Hall, Malakai enjoys playing computer games, practising the saxophone and supporting Liverpool Football club.
