Curb Records, an American record label started in 1963, has signed Steven Malcolm, a Jamaican American Christian/hip-hop artiste based in Michigan.

The influential record label, which is known for its successes with gospel acts including MercyMe, Natalie Grant, Debby Boone, Nicole C. Mullen and the group Selah, has worked with several pop and R&B acts through the years.

They include Sammy Davis Jr, Four Seasons, Lee Brice, Solomon Burke, Exile, Gloria Gaynor, The Judds, Tim McGraw, Lou Rawls, the Righteous Brothers, Neil Sedaka and country music sensation LeAnn Rimes, whose blockbuster hit for the label How Do I Live, shattered chart records in 1997.

Malcolm’s first order of business with the label is the release of his new single Holy Water, which features Soul Rebel Marley, the son of Cedella Marley.

In an interview with the Observer Online on Thursday, Malcolm, whose father was Jamaican (now deceased), spoke about the message behind Holy Water and collaborating with Soul Rebel Marley.

“Holy Water really came from the idea of cleansing and renewal. Water is such a powerful symbol spiritually, but it’s also deeply connected to Jamaica and island culture. For me, the song is about God washing away the old, giving you a fresh start, and stepping into who He’s called you to be. I wanted it to feel spiritual but still feel like something you can turn up to,” Malcolm explained.

Malcolm, who has previously collaborated with international recording artiste Shaggy and BEAM, says working with Soul Rebel Marley on Holy Water was organic.

“From the first time we connected, the energy was there. We both have that Jamaican blood, that love for reggae, but we also bring our own sound and perspective to it. Once he got on Holy Water, it just felt right. It didn’t feel like we were forcing a feature—it felt like two worlds that were supposed to connect,” said Malcolm about what makes his sound unique.

“Versatility. I’m hip-hop at the core, but I’m Jamaican too, I’m melodic, I love reggae and dancehall, and my faith is at the centre of everything. So I can give you bars, melodies, worship, reggae, something for the streets—all of it—but it’s still Steven Malcolm. I think that mixture is what makes my sound unique.”

Malcolm’s messages of hope and redemption come from personal experience. Raised in western Michigan and coastal Florida, he grew up searching for stability. His father, who had emigrated from Montego Bay, was deported back to the island when Steven was just nine years old and later passed away before the two could reunite. Steven’s mother struggled as a single parent and eventually left town, leaving her son to fend for himself as a young college student. His life lacked a clear direction until he accepted a friend’s invitation to attend a local church service that incorporated hip-hop, dance, and worship.

“Unfortunately, I didn’t get to learn as much about my Jamaican roots directly from my pops because of what happened with him and him not being present in my life,” he shares.  “But that’s actually what made me more intentional about discovering it for myself. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve actively tried to learn as much as I can about Jamaica—our culture, our history, the music, the people—because in a lot of ways, learning about Jamaica has also been me learning more about myself. Every time I go deeper into the culture, I feel like I discover another piece of who I am.”

Even though he was raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Malcolm says his Jamaican heritage has been a major part of his upbringing.

“My Jamaican heritage has always been a major part of who I am. Growing up in Michigan while having Jamaican roots gave me a unique musical perspective because I was exposed to hip-hop and American culture while also having reggae and Jamaican culture around me. Now those worlds are really starting to collide in my music, and Holy Water is a perfect example of that,” he reasoned.

Malcolm is excited about the partnership with Curb Records.

“Being with Curb has given me an opportunity to take what I’ve been building and expand it globally. I’ve been blessed to build a strong foundation in Christian hip-hop, but I don’t believe I’m supposed to stay inside one box. I want to take the message, the music and my Jamaican story into spaces people might not expect. At this stage of my career, it’s really about expansion and showing the full picture of who Steven Malcolm is as an artist,” he disclosed.

Malcolm recently received a nomination in the 57th annual GMA Dove Awards, recognised as Gospel music’s equivalent of the Grammy Awards.

His collaboration “Yes,” featuring For King + Country, KB, is nominated in the category Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Song of the Year.

Malcolm is excited about the nomination.

“It’s an honour, for real. Any time your peers recognise the work, you’re grateful. But for me, the biggest thing is knowing where I came from and seeing what God has done with my life and my music. Awards are beautiful, nominations are beautiful, but the mission is bigger. I want the music to impact people. So I received the nomination with gratitude, but we’re still working,” he said.

Malcolm is working on his sophomore album, his debut for Curb Records.

“The album is called THE ONE, and this is probably the most complete representation of me that people have heard. It brings together hip-hop, reggae, melodies, faith and storytelling—all the different sides of who I am.  The whole concept is inspired by Luke 15—the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son. Three different stories, but the same message: God will go after THE ONE,” said Malcolm.