‘5 Questions With’: MEI
“I tried to put as much of myself and my experience of the last year in the music as possible and we are multidimensional so I believe you need that variety to get a full picture of an artist”
Ever since releasing her debut project in 2018, London-based singer-songwriter MEI has had an impressive journey. From being featured on FIFA 19′s soundtrack to performing on Later With Jools Holland, the songstress truly is a force to be reckoned with, yet she is only just getting started.
Her latest single ‘See Us‘, produced by an all-female team, showcases the artist’s unique and effortless blend of Rap, R&B and Soul – stimulated by the events of racial injustice, particularly last year, it’s is a candidly powerful track which calls on making black women everywhere seen for exactly who they are. The single comes with a Solange-inspired video, which was shot on an iPhone during lockdown. We had a chat with the singer about the ‘See Us’, her upcoming EP and much more…
Read the full interview below.
Words & Interview by Antonia Kuenzel
EQ: Hey MEI, how did you get into music in the first place?
M: Hey! Music started for me when my mum forced me to sing in the church choir when I was 11. I was so nervous to sing in front of people but I ended up finding my voice. Although I tried to pursue other careers because I didn’t believe that I would be successful in music, music kept calling me. In a very last minute decision I decided to do a music degree and it’s been music ever since.
EQ: I love the message you are portraying in your new single ’See Us’. It’s so important to keep speaking up about racial injustice. How has writing it helped you process the events that happened in the past year?
M: Thank you, I felt extremely powerless last year and questioned what I could do to make a difference. I wasn’t able to attend the protests because my family were shielding at the time so I just felt stuck in my room unable to help or do anything. Then I remembered that everyone has different tools they can use to create change. Mine are my pen and my voice. So I started writing my own protest to a beat I’d started with A Good Friend, which ended up as ‘See Us‘ and it encouraged me to keep pushing forward. If one person hears it and feels empowered and motivated to keep going, then I’ve made a small difference.
“I felt extremely powerless last year and questioned what I could do to make a difference. I wasn’t able to attend the protests because my family were shielding at the time so I just felt stuck in my room unable to help or do anything. Then I remembered that everyone has different tools they can use to create change. Mine are my pen and my voice.”
– MEI
EQ: You’re also working on your brand new EP, out soon. Will the EP have the same vibes as ’See Us’? And how was your whole recording process/creative process for it?
M: The EP has a similar vibe in that every word is my honest and really personal feelings and experiences, but musically it’s a variety of different styles and vibes, which I strive to always do. I tried to put as much of myself and my experience of the last year in the music as possible and we are multidimensional so I believe you need that variety to get a full picture of an artist. (If they’re willing to share that!) I am willing. I wrote and produced it with the new production duo A Good Friend and I decided I wanted it to be written, produced, arranged and performed entirely by women. I’ve never done that before and it was extremely liberating, even though I’ve collaborated with only amazing and supportive men. The energy was different. The creation and recording of it happened in between me being sick with covid and then long covid and lockdowns. Jaleesa and Teresa were also back home in the Netherlands and Italy at times and we had to session on Zoom, so yeah the music itself has had its own journey.
EQ: How would you say have you developed artistically ever since your last highly acclaimed EP release? Are there any lessons that you’ve learned along the way?
M: I think I’m more fearless with my art now. More willing for people to see right into my heart, and say what needs to be said, which of course is still scary, but now I’ll do it anyway. Also I sense my artist vision is a lot clearer. I’ve learnt so much since the last release, we would honestly be here all day, but most important of all I’ve learnt to let my heart speak in my music even if what comes out is uncomfortable to hear.
EQ: Is there anything else you are working on this year that you can already let us in on ?
M: There’s exciting collaborations in the works, that’s all I can say!
YouTube/ MEI
Stream ‘See Us’ HERE
Follow MEI on socials:
Instagram: @1am_mei
Twitter: @1am_mei