Malvo: Harrisburg’s Rising Star Is Crafting a New Wave in Underground Rap
In a music landscape saturated with copycat flows and recycled beats, a new voice is rising with purpose and originality. That voice belongs to Malvo, a rapper from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, who’s redefining what it means to be an underground artist with a sound driven by faith, intention, and innovation.
Born James Baker, Malvo didn’t come from a stereotypical rags-to-riches background — but his story is no less inspiring. “I didn’t come from the gutter, but I’ve had some struggles,” he says. “I’ve always kept God first. That’s where my strength and focus come from.”
The impact Malvo wanted to put in the music industry
He began his musical journey in 2020 as a listener fed up with the mainstream’s repetitive playlists. “I kept hearing the same sound over and over,” Malvo explains. “Nothing wrong with artists like 21 Savage or Lil Baby — they’re great — but I wanted something different.” That search led him to underground artist Autumn!, whose unique approach to sound lit a creative fire. “It was like discovering a holy grail,” he says.
Inspired, Malvo stepped into a professional studio in 2021, working closely with a friend to hone his craft. After a brief break, he returned in early 2025 with new focus and intention. Since then, he’s wasted no time making waves — dropping his debut EP in February and already surpassing 3,100 streams across platforms. He’s also built impressive momentum on Spotify, hitting 2.8K monthly listeners and counting.
Breaking Out with Collaborations and Creative Freedom
Part of Malvo’s early success is thanks to his collaborations with respected names in the underground space. He’s worked with rappers like Maajins and luhpray, and had songs produced by underground favorites such as 19thou and rexv2. “Collaboration is a big part of why I’ve been able to get this far this quickly,” he notes. “It opens the door to new sounds, new ideas, and new audiences.”
But getting to this point hasn’t been without challenges. Like many new artists, Malvo struggled early on with finding his sound. “In the beginning, I was experimenting a lot,” he admits. “I was rapping over any type of beat, trying to figure out what felt right.” Through trial, error, and consistency, he eventually carved out his signature style — one that values versatility over trend-chasing and meaning over momentary buzz.
What’s Next for Malvo?
Looking forward, Malvo is hungry to keep building. His dream is to chart on Billboard and eventually sign with a label — but only on his terms. “Everything I put out is intentional,” he says. “I’m not interested in following the wave. I’m trying to create my own.”
A major step in that journey is coming soon: a highly anticipated collaboration with Maajins, one of the underground’s most recognizable names. With more music in the works and growing support from fans and peers alike, Malvo is well on his way to expanding his reach beyond the underground.
goals and aspirations
“My goal with all this is simple — to reach people who’ve never heard of me before. Whether it’s new listeners, collaborators, or opportunities, I just want the world to hear what I have to say.”
In a world full of noise, Malvo is a reminder that clarity, vision, and authenticity still matter. And if his current trajectory is any indication, the rap game is about to hear a whole lot more from Harrisburg’s newest breakout star.
