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Few artists manage to rewrite the rules of an entire genre, but Malina Moye is one of them. The American singer-songwriter and left-handed guitarist has spent years blurring the lines between rock, blues, soul, funk, and pop, establishing herself as one of the most distinctive voices on today’s guitar scene. Named by Guitar World as one of the most influential guitarists of her generation, she has performed at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, topped the Billboard Blues chart, and continues to challenge long-standing stereotypes about what a rock musician looks like.
Today, Malina stands on the verge of another historic milestone as the first left-handed female guitarist to receive her own signature guitar model, developed in collaboration with Kramer and Gibson. Yet beyond the accolades, chart success, and career milestones, her most powerful message has remained the same: believe in yourself, claim your space with confidence, and never let other people’s expectations define who you are. Just before taking the next major step in her career, Malina Moye spoke with Glamour Bulgaria about the freedom of being different, the power of challenging stereotypes, her love of fashion, and why she has never waited for anyone else’s approval to take her rightful place.
You’ve built a career by refusing to fit into a single category—rock guitarist, singer-songwriter, fashion muse, entrepreneur. Do labels limit artists, or do they simply fail to keep up with people like you?
I think labels can definitely box you in. In the beginning it’s important to be known for the thing you do and definitely branch out and incorporate what that is into your music or brand. In the context of music, I feel labeling your project or sound puts it into certain lanes which record labels prefer so the marketing teams can identify and label what’s being sold. I think the artist who understands who they are and has a unique blue print of their sound will definitely color outside the corporate boxes. I personally don’t t like labels. I’m always the one to ask my listeners and the writers to tell me what sound THEY think my music is and I trust them to write it from that perspective.
You’re about to make history as the first left-handed female guitarist to receive a signature guitar from Gibson. What does this moment represent beyond the instrument itself, especially for young women who rarely see themselves reflected in this world?
I’m very excited. I worked with Kramer on this prototype for four years and I feel we have come up with a really incredible instrument. The color was inspired by a pair of Christian Louboutins I own and then Prince’s guitar in his Super Bowl half time show. The Malina Moye Pacer deluxe has a maple neck, SSH DiMarzio pickups, gold hardware, a tortoise paisley pick guard, and a really shaved down heel to get better action going up the neck. And the best part—it’s available as a left-handed version too with both lefty and righties having my signature reversed headstock. And it’s actually very well priced for a custom design like this. I can’t wait to see it in the marketplace and hear what the players think. I hope it inspires someone who reflects those we ordinarily don’t see play guitar. And when they play, they realize their potential and take their space and be loud—disrupt the landscape and be in whatever rooms they want to be in.
There was never an obvious blueprint for the career you’ve created. Looking back, was there a particular moment when you consciously decided that following convention simply wasn’t an option?
In the beginning, when we would go out to labels, they would always say, “put the guitar down and make your life easier and just do R&B. It’s a definitive lane and lots of women who look like you are in that lane.” But I knew that lane wasn’t a full composite of Malina Moye and my sound, style and brand. I knew I loved to sing, play guitar, write music and I love Rock, soul, blues, funk and pop. And I realized that I would have to start my own label, raise capital and build a team who would get the Malina Moye sound and vision and keep building to achieve my goals. Music is an ever-changing landscape and navigating it is essential for any artist or brand.
You’ve often spoken about using your guitar as your voice. Are there emotions or stories that you can express through music that words alone could never capture?
I think your experiences are those stories and the medium in which you choose to express that is how you communicate it—rather my experience comes through my strings, my voice, or my storytelling. It’s definitely a piece of my spirit and soul. So, I’m always after the feel or the feeling of the human connection. My third album, “Bad As I Wanna Be” was written because I felt the media and certain outlets weren’t being fair about covering people who look like me. So, I wrote an entire album about celebrating myself and encouraging others to do the same and to not look for validation from people, but rather to look inward and clap for yourself. Celebrate you!
Fashion has become an important extension of your identity, and you’re regularly recognized for your distinctive style. Do you approach getting dressed with the same creative instinct that guides your music?
I love fashion and in fact, I’m inspired daily. I’m constantly screen capturing images, cutting designs, fabrics and colors out and creating a fashion muse board. I love discovering new designers and playing with fashion. It’s another layer of my story—whether telling it on a red carpet, on stage, in everyday life and of course my home. I feel it’s definitely a part of my creative outlet and helps me extenuate my world. The word that keeps coming to mind is freedom, and feeling confident and beautiful while playing with colors and fabrics.
You’ve performed on legendary stages, appeared on major Billboard charts, and earned recognition from both the music and fashion worlds. What achievement has surprised you the most—not because you hoped for it, but because you never imagined it was possible?
I love anything to do with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I’m so proud and humbled that somehow my name has been circulating in rooms that I’ve never been in and because of that, I’ve been allowed to participate in unbelievable events and projects like the American Music Masters series at the Rock Hall, to literally playing my song F.I.N.E. on guitar, then having a curator take it from my hands in front of the audience and placing it directly into the Rock Hall exhibit case to be permanently on display. I was so honored to be brought in as part of the opening of the Revolutionary Women’s Exhibit, standing among iconic women like Jane Wiedlin from the Go Gos, Shirley Manson from Garbage, Suzanne Vega and Lisa Loeb who have all paved the way for me and so many others.
The music industry has changed dramatically over the past decade. Do you think it’s easier today for artists to remain authentic, or has authenticity become another form of branding?
I actually think that word is something people just throw around lately. I trust and hope folks are doing the best they can to put out the art they truly want to make. I’m finding the only way to see what’s really authentic is to see if true community supports the brand or artist. For me, true authenticity happens even if you never get discovered or ever make money or have a following—when you just have a calling to do it. And so much is guided by an internal compass.
You have a remarkable ability to merge strength with elegance, both musically and visually. Has embracing your femininity in rock ever been seen as a weakness by others—and did that only make it your greatest strength?
Thank you. For me, I think it’s important to be as confident and feminine as possible. I feel when you feel comfortable enough to rock who and what you are—it truly allows others to do the same. And if someone sees that as a weakness, who cares, because I don’t. I call it owning your own space. I don’t rely on others approval for my existence. I am here and I am Malina Moye. I like me my flaws and all. Now that I think about it, this is actually a strength. Loving yourself unapologetically. (lol)
Bulgaria already knows you through your performances here, and your music has found success with Bulgarian audiences as well. What do you remember most vividly about your time in our country?
I love Bulgaria. Everyone is so kind, the women are strong, independent and beautiful. I had an incredible time when I was there. I can’t wait to come back. It’s a beautiful country and the food delicious. I had an amazing salmon dish and salad in Bulgaria.
As you continue breaking new ground in music, fashion and culture, what kind of legacy do you hope people will talk about decades from now? Not the records or awards—but the impact you had on the people who came after you.
The universe rewards you for taking a chance on yourself. I hope people feel the need to stand in their own light and shine because like the lyric says “everybody’s got a little light under the sun.” I hope they feel limitless, brave, are kind and full of possibilities. If something from my orbit leaves a lasting impact that makes them feel like that, it would be incredibly beautiful. That would be an incredible Legacy. Thank you for taking the time to interview me. I loved your questions.
