At 16, Malikah “Sparkle” Shabbaz already has a résumé: recording artist, DJ, producer, actress, and content creator. Oh, and she’s DJed for Mike Tyson (among other celebs). Casual. The Woodland Hills creative grew up dancing competitively before finding her lane in music. Inspired by Michael Jackson and Beyoncé’s commitment to having a vision and executing it, Malikah now writes and produces her own music — including her latest single, “Like That” — and is working on an EP. She’s even stretching her range with jazz after recently performing an Etta James set. Her biggest lesson so far? Know your worth and be intentional about who gets access to you and your creativity. When comparison creeps in, she logs off, journals, and remembers how much she’s already accomplished.
