September Belonged to the Golden Child: Malie Donn Is Artist of the Month

From releasing his debut album The Golden Child to selling out Indigo at The O2 and dominating Apple Music Jamaica, Malie Donn delivered another statement month in his rapid rise

September belonged to the Golden Child. (Photo: Stony Johnson)

Few dancehall artistes had a September quite like Malie Donn. The Spanish Town-born deejay continued his impressive 2026 run, turning September into arguably one of the biggest months of his career and earning Kaboom Magazine’s Artiste of the Month honour.

At the centre of it all was the September 4 release of his highly anticipated 21-track debut album, The Golden Child, via VP Records. The project showcased different sides of Malie Donn’s sound, with collaborations including Squash and Byron Messia, alongside more personal and reflective cuts such as “Live Life.”

The album arrived while Malie Donn was already riding the momentum of viral hit “Van Cleef,” which spent weeks at No. 1 on Apple Music Jamaica, while its follow-up, “Van Cleef Pt. 2,” quickly made noise of its own.

Malie Donn backstage during his Indigo at The O2 show (Photo: Stony Johnson)

Just one day after the album’s release, Malie Donn reached another career milestone by selling out Indigo at The O2 in London. Not a single ticket was left for the headline show, as the dancehall star electrified the venue in what he later described as his “best show ever.”

His September run was not limited to London and Jamaica. The “Golden Child” continued his international push with an appearance at Vybz Kartel’s Freedom Street Europe in Malta before heading to Canada for the Soulfood Caribbean Festival.

The momentum eventually carried him back home, where he closed out the month as a headliner at Soak’d, making a memorable entrance as a choir of women sang his smash hit “Van Cleef.”

From a debut album and chart dominance to sold-out shows and growing international demand, September showed just how quickly Malie Donn’s career continues to expand.

After previously earning Kaboom’s Artiste of the Month honour in June behind the success of “Van Cleef,” Malie Donn returned only three months later with an even stronger case.

September belonged to the Golden Child.