Malkhiem

That’s Malkhiem delivering the rich R & B crooning on his single “Southern Girl”—not a studio ringer.

“Singing helps me get the point and feel of a song across,” says the Spartanburg-based hip-hop artist.

As an MC, Malkhiem cites Scarface and DMX as touchstones.

“DMX’s gruff tone was very attractive to me, and he came out when rap music needed some soul,” says Malkhiem

Speaking of soul, singers like Anthony Hamilton also cast a shadow on Malkhiem’s upcoming LP, “My T.I.M.E.” Co-produced by Malkhiem and Carolina South Music, the disc contains “Standing on Your Own,” which chronicles ups and downs while treble-whistle synth—a lick Dr. Dre patented in the mid-90s—wafts overhead. On “Life,” Malkhiem spits multi-tracked rhymes about “dying since my birth” over a foreboding cityscape track.

Malkhiem says Upstate-based rappers face a major challenge: a lack of live venues.

“The more commercial places don’t want to give you spot because of the crowd they think you’ll bring in,” he says.

The advantage of being hip-hop in area code 864?

“People here are ready for something to happen. They’re hungry.”

Malkhiem performs at 9 p.m. Feb. 13 at Sidelines Sports & Spirits in Spartanburg. - Matt Wake @ metromix.com