In 2024, Jamaican singer and songwriter Matthew Malcolm earned international recognition with his IMDb-certified acting debut in the acclaimed Bob Marley biopic “One Love,” portraying a young Seeco Patterson, the legendary percussionist of The Wailers.
It was an opportunity he admits felt like a long shot.
“This was aiming with a long shot. Auditioning for the movie was really a bet, and I lost because I couldn’t see how someone like myself, who has little to no experience in film, could make it to a Paramount movie,” he said. His life changed forever when he submitted the online audition.
“I gave my audition online and was invited to do a live audition by Ziggy Marley and the directors.”
The role showcased his versatility as a creative force and positioned him within Marley’s timeless legacy. Despite being new to film, Malcolm said the cast approached the project with intense focus and unity.
“Though most of us had no experience, you could see where everyone understood the mission and took it so seriously that we were all constantly going over our lines and doing anything to stay in character,” he explained.
He spoke about the guidance provided by actors Kingsley Ben-Adir and Lashana Lynch (who played Rita Marley), noting that their mentorship gave him the confidence to reach for the stars.
“Knowing these people are seasoned actors was a great boost in trusting our roles.”
Asked about shooting the film in Trench Town, Malcolm told Caribbean National Weekly, “You could see why it was such a vital part of The Wailers’ development.”
The Bob Marley biopic won several awards, including Best Movie at the 2024 BET Awards. The film’s marketing campaign also won the 2024 Golden Trailer Awards, and at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards in 2025, the soundtrack won Best Reggae Album.
The film and its cast also received high-profile nominations, including the NAACP Image Awards: Outstanding Motion Picture, Outstanding Actor (Kingsley Ben-Adir), Outstanding Actress (Lashana Lynch), Outstanding Ensemble Cast, Outstanding Supporting Performance (Lashana Lynch), Outstanding Score, and Outstanding Soundtrack.
After raising his profile as an actor, Malcolm faced the challenge of balancing music and film. Prior to acting, he had first broken through as a singer in Jamaica, winning the competition All Together Sing. That early exposure fueled his drive, though the road to success had its bumps.
“The first song I made was laughed at,” he recalled. “I made myself the promise that every song I made from that point on would be the next best one.”
Malcolm shared that he draws inspiration from artists including Dennis Brown, Garnet Silk, James Brown, Tina Turner, Lucky Dube, Etta James, and Bob Marley.
“These are some of the people who have shaped my sound and attitude towards the industry,” he said. They influenced his vocal approach and instilled a deep respect for the craft.
In 2021, Malcolm released his debut project, Rebirth. The EP featured tracks like Y.O.U., War For You, and Unholy. That same year, he joined Junior Marvin and The Legendary Wailers on their U.S. tour as the opening act, cementing his status as a torchbearer of reggae’s past and a voice of its future.
“I’m more focused on launching my music career. I just released my new single titled ‘Mystic’ and am gearing up for another release: ‘Please Sir,’ ‘Wicked Men,’ and ‘Love Language’ for 2026,” he revealed.
With a growing catalog, a respected film credit, and a deep reverence for reggae’s legacy, Matthew Malcolm’s story is still unfolding—driven by discipline, faith, and an unwavering promise to always make the next song his best.
