If you’ve been out and about catching live music in Kansas City lately, chances are you’ve heard the name MALEK AZRAEL & THE VIBEZ. Whether you caught their electric set at Boulevardia or streamed their newest release Feels Like..., this genre-blending band is turning heads.
Fronted by MALEK AZRAEL, a singer, songwriter, and producer with deep roots in the Midwest, the group is making waves with a sound that slips between indie rock, R&B, soul, and pop like it's second nature. The story of the band starts where many great collaborations begin: college.
“We all met while attending Kansas City Kansas Community College in the Audio Engineering degree program,” says MALEK. “The band was pieced together in almost a dream-like way. I had spent over a year recording my album ‘WAVES’ and decided I wanted real drums instead of digital, and I had met and bonded with Josh Luke over being from south Kansas City and he mentioned he played drums. I showed him my songs and he immediately wanted to record with me.
“Then I decided we needed an electric guitar when some of my classmates and friends suggested Calvin Haverkamp. I approached Calvin and showed him my songs and he also was moved by my project and wanted to record. After finishing the project a year later, we all realized that we had really made something beautiful. The idea then formed that we should have a release concert and make a band, so we got a bassist and had a release show. Ever since then we have played together, growing as friends and musicians.”
The pieces slowly came together, and by the time the first album was done, the group had become more than just studio collaborators—they had become THE VIBEZ, a band with a message and a mission.
From the very beginning, their goal has been to create music that’s honest, genre-defying, and rooted in the richness of human experience. It’s a lofty goal, but one they pursue with both purpose and passion. Each song feels like a chapter in a shared story about love, self-discovery, growth, and the beauty of living.
Whether they’re playing a small venue or a bustling street festival, their connection with the audience is undeniable. Their recent performance at Boulevardia was a prime example of this. The band’s latest release, Feels Like..., is another bold step forward. It's available now on all major streaming platforms and is paired with a visual project.
As they continue carving out their place in the Kansas City music scene and beyond, it’s clear that this isn’t just a band riding a trend. This is a group with something to say—and the sound to back it up.
“We came together because we all aligned with the idea of making music that was honest, challenged the boundaries of genre, and captured the human experience in its variety and complex nature.”
So if you’re looking for new music or a live show that leaves a lasting impression, keep your eyes (and ears) on this local band. The journey is just getting started, and it’s already something special. MALEK AZRAEL & THE VIBEZ will perform live on August 22nd at The Ship located in the historic West Bottoms neighborhood at 1221 Union Ave in Kansas City. Follow on Instagram @malekazrael and stream on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.
Article by Allison Swan
Photography by Janie Jones
Originally published in Johnson County City Lifestyle