MNEK interview: 'it’s never been a calculated decision to make pop music'

MNEK tells David Ellis how Rudimental changed his attitude to performing, which rising stars are in his circle of friends and how he got through school while still having a publishing deal 
David Ellis @dvh_ellis5 October 2015

MNEK is precociously talented and bewilderingly young. Though he is undoubtedly keen for his music to stand on its own, it’s impossible to ignore that this self-assured Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and producer has achieved a staggering amount already – at just 20.

Since signing a publishing deal with EMI in his early teens, he’s had three UK number one hits with other people as a writer and producer. He’s worked prolifically with a host of artists, including Duke Dumont, Madonna, Rudimental and Kylie Minogue.

You started off writing and producing records. Was there a moment when you decided you wanted to perform, too?

I first signed my publishing deal when I was 14 and I knew that I wanted to take my time when it came to writing my first album and putting out my first pieces of music. It was only when I collaborated with Rudimental, on Spoons, that I became vigorously intrigued about performing. I got to go on tour with them and it definitely bettered me as a performer and made me excited about going out on the road. That song was gaining so much momentum and people were like “this is really good, who’s this guy?” and I got to go on stage and see crowds, and I thought “I like this, this could be loads of fun.”

High achiever: MNEK

Was it odd being in school while carving out a career in music? How did your peers react?

It’s a hard question. With school, I had a very normal teenage lifestyle. I’m sure in school people didn’t understand what I was trying to do: when I’d say “I’m writing”, people would be like, “So how much money are you making?” It was never really about that. I stayed in school, I did my thing, but from very early on I knew exactly what I wanted to do, so that influenced where I am right now. I think that set the tone for the way I approach things as a young man – even down to friends and my circle of people. I love the fact that my friends now are people like Becky Hill, KStewart and Shift K3y. They’re really exciting artists and musicians and at the same time, they’re also my friends who I love very dearly – but the connecting thing is that we get each other because we understand the process, we’re all creatives and we’re all the same age. If I’m busy for a week, I’m not going to get a text saying “why didn’t you text me back?!” It’s all about people who understand what you’re doing.

Was difficult to tell your parents you wanted to be a musician?

They were very apprehensive. I’m from Nigerian descent, and the classic Nigerian mentality is “Stay in school! You’re going to be a doctor, you’re going to be a lawyer.” That is what it is. Thankfully my parents knew my situation was different because I definitely didn’t want to be a doctor, I definitely didn’t want to be a lawyer. It was wasn’t my truth. And because the industry was so welcoming to me from an early age, they said “this is working for you, so work at it” and they let me do my thing. They’re very supportive.

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The Standard recently listed you as a rising star in the Progress 1000. Do you feel influential?

It’s a weird one. When I co-wrote Duke DuMont’s I Need You (100%), that was one of the first number one records with the r'n'b vocal on the house beat. It was really cool because we felt like we were really doing something different and I think spawned a trail of that kind of vibe. I think if that counts as influential in any way, then I guess I do feel influential. But I think that’s the goal of any artist, to influence people.

What’s the boldest step you’ve ever made?

Having Every Little Word as the first single to come out. I felt that was so much fun, it was so different from Ready For Your Love, because it was just stank r’n’b, which I loved. I like that I was able to put that out and it was just so… don’t give a f***.

The new single, Never Forget You (which features Zara Larsson), is much less sweary. Were you chasing something more radio-friendly?

It’s just what I’m doing. I naturally make commercial music: it’s never been a calculated decision to make pop music, I’m a genuine pop music fan. It’s not that some songs are for radio and some songs aren’t, I’m just making whatever I feel. The EP was really inspired by 90s r’n’b and my influences were so concentrated in that field but now I know that whatever my influences are, they have to be inside me. I want it to be part of my sound, rather than me just “doing” 90s r’n’b.

Style to match the talent: MNEK has long been interested in fashion

How do you feel about London’s music scene?

There’s definitely a quality threshold in this country that’s awesome. I know that America is looking at us: so many artists work with British producers and writers. I’m proud to be part of the London scene. But there are two spectrums. On the one hand, Soundcloud. A platform for so much innovative music and sounds from different producers, from all over London and the country and the world, and the UK vibe is there. On the other hand, you turn on Capital, or Kiss, or Radio One and every track on the radio is literally M1 organ with the acapella, which is really... awkward. It’s all the same.

So how would you feel if you were on one of those playlists?

I think it’s just different sonics. With my music I’m trying to do something different. I’m not trying to get airplay, I’m just making what I‘m making and if people like it, that’s awesome, that’s the bonus.

Your image is your finishing touch – do you enjoy the fashion and being styled?

My look was definitely something I had to find myself. I’ve always been interested in fashion. When it came to me writing and producing, I was conscious of it, but I never thought: ok, this is what I want to look like. And when the first EP came out I was very much like: this is my vibe, the African Prince, the high-top, and I think obviously I’m growing and evolving and changing my look. It’s who I am and what I want to put out there. I’m not worried about being objectified in any way: I’m confident that my music is good enough to stand by itself. All of that stuff is a choice.

MNEK will shortly be announcing the dates of his London gigs. MNEK & Zara Larsson single ‘Never Forget You’ is out 16th October and will be available on iTunes.

Follow David Ellis on Twitter @dvh_ellis

Follow Going Out on Facebook and on Twitter @ESgoingout

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