Britain's Got Talent's Malakai Bayoh has signed a record deal with Universal Music. He has joined the same label that was once home to legendary opera singer Pavarotti.
The 14-year-old singer was a hit on BGT and was selected by Simon Cowell as his golden buzzer act early in the show. His singing reduced some of the judges to tears when he performed in the live final in recent weeks.
His first album will be entitled Golden and will be a "collection of classical and classic songs". It will include Andrew Lloyd Webber's Pie Jesu, which he performed during his audition on the talent show
Malakai said: “I can’t believe my dream has come true and I’m signed to the record company with the biggest opera stars in the world."
His talents have garnered him attention and praise from around the world and he received a personal message of congratulations from the president of Sierra Leone. He will also be singing on the soundtrack to the upcoming movie Maestro. The film is about the life of Leonard Bernstein and stars Bradley Cooper and is being produced by Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg.
Golden is due for release in July on Universal Classics and Jazz in association with Classic FM.
The album also includes his version of Puccini’s O Mio Babbino Caro, which he sang live in the BGT semi-finals reducing judge Bruno Tonioli to tears, who told him: “You’re a gift from God.” The first single – Pie Jesu – is available from June 14.
Helen Lewis, executive producer and A and R manager for Universal Classics and Jazz, said: “Malakai’s soaring, honeyed voice has the most extraordinary effect on those who hear him sing.
“A talent like his is incredibly rare. He has brought so much joy to the whole team at Universal Classics and Jazz, and we can be sure there are many more milestones to come for this young star.”
