Ahead of his first headline tour, MNEK performed at RiZe Festival for their first year running.
We all know MNEK from featuring with some of our favourite artists such as Zara Larsson, Gorgon City and Stormzy. From Lewisham, London MNEK first started his career professionally from the young age of 14 but was making music from the age of nine. MNEK would regularly blog about his music and is now one of the biggest artists in the UK.
You started songwriting at the age of 14, How did that come about? What made you want to start writing music?
I started writing professionally when I was 14, it was really based on me studying music software, wanting to make beats, from that it was writing songs to the beats and doing poetry, I started putting them on myspace and now I am here at RiZe Festival which I am very excited about.
What do you think you would be doing if you weren’t writing and performing?
Thankfully I would do all of my backup plans so if I wasn’t performing I’d be writing and if I wasn’t writing, I would probably be producing so I didn’t have any other plan B’S apart from music, I am thankful that it is working out.
Your new single ‘Colour’ is now out! How was it working with Hailee Steinfeld?
It was cool Haliee is great! She was super lovely to do the video with and she is a great performer herself. Colour is really special to me so it was really lovely to have her onboard.
You have worked with some amazing artists but Who would be your dream collaboration?
Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson would be my ideal collaboration
What would be a good theme song for your life?
I would say pure imagination from Charlie and The Chocolate Factory
What has been the most important thing you’ve learnt as an artist in the past year?
That you are the boss of what you do and that you have to be strong with that! I think I have had to grow up again and be more disciplined on how I handle my business and be a man of my word. I have to really work hard.
Can we expect a tour soon?
I’m playing at some amazing venues including The London Scala. It will be my first headline tour so I am really looking forward to it and the fans will get to hear some of my new stuff! My Fans can expect a really fun and gay time
What are your plans for the next few months?
I want to release some more music and I want to get back into the studio and make more music so the sky’s the limit, I’m always writing and producing! I’ve got some stuff on the Little Mix album so keep your eyes peeled.
