Exclusive Interview with ME.I

East London born ME.I, pronounced ‘May,’ is a gifted and ambitious up-and-coming artist with a sincere vision. From studying music and business to discovering her recording skills in confinement to getting the attention of music professionals, the singer has risen rapidly. In 2021, after struggling with Type 1 Diabetes throughout the pandemic, she began writing her own EP titled “Mirror Talk.” Her music incorporates Trap, Hip-Hop, AfroSwing, and Urban UK Music with captivating vocals and melodies that fuse her African, Caribbean, and British backgrounds. It is certain to bring warmth into your life: “I simply want people to dance, smile, and enjoy themselves. To know love is to be love, and what better way to learn than to begin by loving oneself? “. She is colorful, distinctive, and self-assured; what more could you want? Make certain you follow ME.I as she gains more listeners and followers in the scene.

Emerging artist ME.I’s “Let My Hair Down” is daring, fashionable, and spicily flavorful. With a trap beat reminiscent of Mike WiLL-Made-It, humorous ad-libs, and disc scratches, the tune is flamboyant and full of personality, making one thing very clear: ME.I has returned. The artist recalls crafting the song to inspire herself and everyone around her; it is the epitome of feel-good music, as seen by lyrics such as: “”Elevate Aint got no time to wait I be over here loving my own figure 8 Took me on a date Cheers celebrate I be putting me first Aint gotta hesitate So I went to the party Yeh I love a party Dance off Going real hard with a shorty“. She recorded “Let My Hair Down” in HomeBody Studios, which she playfully refers to as her home’s linen closet. Her vocals were then delivered to the professional engineer and producer BckGrnd for mixing and mastering. ME.I had a great time throughout the process, which is evident in the track itself. ME.I’s “Let My Hair Down” is the song to listen to if you want to let go of all your troubles and simply enjoy the moment. Check out the song and the exclusive interview with ME.I below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?

ME.I: I was born and raised in London. My background is African-Caribbean with a hint of Mediterranean and Indigenous American descent, yet London is all I know. It’s where I call home. Since the early years I’ve been into music. At this point I’m like music saved me, especially the art of creating music, a type of therapy where I knew if anything could soothe my heart it is music. Today, I write music and poems. During the lockdown I was studying to become a Creative Practitioner yet missed creating music itself. Having Diabetes Type 1 from childhood, the lockdowns were definitely an isolation period where I cut myself off from the world due to the reports that if diabetic people catch the disease they may not survive. I survived, and whilst doing so I learnt how to record myself in my HomeBody Studios which is basically my linen cupboard. I already had the equipment, so I went for it and began to record myself. I stand for love, hope, and wave type of vibes. So I began creating clothing with what my music represents. LOV3, HOP3, WAV3, VIB3 – and other art that represents me. This tied together with the urge of creating uplifting, feel-good music which brings me to now.

2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?

ME.I: Growing up, I had some community club music training which was for the vocals. I learnt fruity loops and reason when I first went to college, then began to experiment with these programs at home. Funny because I used to use a pair of headphones to sing into. The days of being in semi-independent accommodation. I then learned music technology which wasn’t the best fit for me so ended up attending a music access course for entry into university. When applying for uni, I was given an unconditional entry which was a great thing for me at the time because I had lost self-confidence and thought I could not serve my passions due to my environment, yet I attended and achieved an HND. Due to traumatic experiences, I was unable to get the grade I wanted but I did learn a wealth of knowledge about music tech, music business, music within the community and music child development.

It was more the fact the trauma was around children and my dissertation was about ‘The Effects of Music Child Development’ is why I disengaged.

I had a break of the academia side of Music and focused on the creation of music. Although there’s been ups and downs, I’m still here creating and learning. Self-taught? Definitely in the sense of learning in the comfort of my environment. Watching or researching what I needed to do to express myself to the fullest is a choice. Formal training is a choice too, yet it is very more guided and covers a wealth of other knowledge about the music industry which has been extremely useful. So, it’s half and half on this one.

3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘ME.I’?

ME.I: Diana Ross has definitely been a great inspiration to me. In the 90s there wasn’t many British Artists, so the majority of music I was drawn to was from overseas. Mary J Blige is one of my first and strongest musical influence. When I listen to her it’s like her expressions get me. There are so many other artists that have inspired me, like Gabriel, Janet Jackson, Dizzee Rascal, Beyonce, Miriam Makeba, Amy Winehouse, Nas and the list goes on.

The name ME.I is actually pronounced as Mei (May). I woke up in resus one time, which is in the A&E department. I looked around and all I could feel was love from above. Can’t even put it into words. Just felt if all I have is Me… I, then why not them together to always draw to the universe who is always there for me.

4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?

ME.I: The key elements in my music are rhythm, self-love and the fact that we only live once. From Pop Trap to gritty HipHop, my sound is vibrant, and I express how I feel through the melody/lyrics. I do write to the universe, the higher energy that protects me.

5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as HIPHOP?

ME.I:

I love a good old karaoke! When growing up I never really saw it as emulating or copying. I found singing along to people’s lyrics and having my own perception of the words really moulded the artist I am today. Sounding as yourself in a world filled with amazing inspirations is a great achievement, especially with the distractions and culture vulture tactics some do. Yet from already having a multi-cultural background, I was exposed to many genres of music which impacted my creativity and the way I express my musical tongue.

6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?

ME.I:

My views on this is keeping music true to what the artist stands for. I personally express my art through personal narrative and entertainment yet the social vehicle I vouch for is well-being and mental health. As music was self-therapy for me from an early age, I uplift myself through personal narrative to express. Culturally I express this through the genres of music I gel with. My next few singles are on Trap / HipHop music, but I also have this Afrobeat song to release. Where I’m from, Garage was a great genre, I have tracks in this genre too, so I use culture through my work but only to express my personal narratives & experiences.

7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?

ME.I:

Are we ever fulfilled? Once we reach a stage of fulfilment, we want to challenge ourselves to reach the next level, which then reverts to not being fulfilled. I had an experience where I fell out of love with music, so I definitely know I do feel fulfilled being able to just put a track on and vibes. I overcame that experience by understanding that I wake up and this one thing I love to do, which is to create. To put words that I feel, together, and just vibe in that moment. Everything else is a bonus. More, would be to bask in that moment and give to others, remembering that moment and keeping that energy to those moments constant. Easier said than done, but it’s worth the challenge. Challenging self-fulfilment to only be a better person than I was yesterday.

The difference I’d like to see in the future would be for everyone to be treated equally in every aspect of the entertainment industry, and in general life.

Music to me is about how it empowered me to think higher, better & brighter. As long as I’m creating these vibes then I’ll always be fulfilled. There are no limitations to fulfilment, just growing that fulfilment.

8. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?

ME.I:

This one is a hard one, but I do adore interaction with a live audience just that little bit more. During the lockdowns I isolated heavy due to being high risk, so the creative home environment has been my heaven for the last two years. Before the lockdown I did do a few performances where I loved the way people was vibing to my music. It’s all amazing writing a track then saying it’s a vibe to yourself but when you see people actually taking your creations in, to the point they are dancing gives me the butterfly feeling. Seeing someone feel or be inspired by my music is exciting and makes me want to create more. 100%

9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?

ME.I: The most difficult thing I have faced is being too trusting. I do take accountability for this, yet the choices of others are on them. I would love to go into it but then I’d love not to. An example is of a recent incident where I was polite & graceful at a music business event and was assaulted. It makes me isolate myself more, guard my vibes, protect my energy, yet to gain trust is to show trust. Such a catch 22 type of situation. If I’m more trusting, would I end up dead?! If I don’t trust do I continue alone?! I’m just being open here yet I do not feel like I’m being heard. The thing that eases this is the fact music appreciation & creation soothes my heart from a personal aspect so even through the difficulties of my career, music has always been a comfort to me.

10. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?

ME.I: Social media has impacted me more positively than negatively. I guess it is what you make it in regarda to if you receive negativity and are made aware of it. Handling it would be me ignoring it because we can go from 0 to 100 real quick yet I am mindful that many people are not satisfied with themselves, so they try to put others down to feel better about their own lives. If someone has the time to express hate or nastiness to someone else, they do not know then I personally don’t have time to take it in. Clearly the hate is a reflection of themselves which does not define me but them. All criticism is not bad either. Best to take what adds value and ignore anything that devalues- easier said than done though, right? Energy goes where attention flows: I’m not going at the bottom of the vibrational scale which is where the state of mind would have to go in order to combat haters and/or naysayers. If it’s not anchored in love or above, then it’s not my business. Despite what others say I believe what you throw out comes back to you. Hate is gonna hate, love is gonna love. I know what side I’m on.

#ComeVibesWithMei – An array of vibes by me.

#SelfLoveIsTheBestLoveYah – As we were.

#TaTa – Double Thank you