Owen Leuellen burst – literally – onto Malta’s musical scene with his modern take on hip hop and rap, making a mark with his charisma and sheer stage presence.

But off of the X Factor Malta stage, the hip hop game is a very different business, where lyricism, authenticity, and realness is worth so much more than a good Will Smith cover.

Lovin Malta caught up with Owen Leuellen while locked away in the studio working on his first album

On the 10th floor of the A3 Towers in the Wicked And Loud Studios in Paola, Owen was pouring over beats with his two producers, Siconix and Matteo Makes Music.

They’re currently working on two songs; ‘Dark Days’, and ‘Rock Solid’, with Owen running into the booth at points to lay down vocals as the track begins to make shape.

In between the writing and producing, he took the time to chat with us about music, love, and life after X Factor Malta

1. He wants to release a song with X Factor Malta contestant Luke Chappell

As well as some other X Factor Malta alumni, such as Ben Purplle or Michela Pace or Nicole Frendo.

2. And he has over 75 songs ready and waiting to go

He just needs some beats to rap his lyrics over.

3. He’s fully dedicated to his girlfriend, who he calls his “queen”

Two and a half years and they are still going strong.

4. Owen is thankful for the support from his city, Valletta

Though Malta’s capital city may be divided over everything from feasts to sports, everyone came together to support him in his journey to the end of X Factor Malta.

5. The support from his mother, his other queen, was indispensable

Mrs Leuellen was always pushing her son, telling him he would always make it – even though sometimes he’d repeat songs so much she’d need to tell him to hold up for a second.

6. He’s planning on dropping an album by the end of this year

It’s a work in progress, but look out for Owen’s 2019 debut!

7. He describes his style of music as “motivational” and “dark”

Though he has practiced multiple styles, from fast rapping to fun party rap.

8. He’s proud to have gotten hip hop to the finals of X Factor Malta

“When X Factor came to Malta, since there’s nowhere else here in Malta to show your music, I saw it as the only gate through – and it clearly worked. I feel very grateful for it,” he said during the interview.

“I was very proud that I got hip hop into the finals, in front of all those people,” he said.

“I’m just trying to let the Maltese people know that there is potential for a lot of artists in Malta,” Owen concluded. “We just have to give them a place to showcase their music.”

BONUS: He is open to making a reggae album

He’s even practiced rapping using a reggae voice while practicing as a young child – maybe we should be expecting a collab with fellow X Factor finalist Kelsey Bellante in the near future?

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Johnathan Cilia

Johnathan is an award-winning Maltese journalist interested in social justice, politics, minority issues, music and food. Follow him at @supreofficialmt on Instagram, and send him news, food and music stories at [email protected]