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MNEK

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MNEK
MNEK performing at Glastonbury in 2014
MNEK performing at Glastonbury in 2014
Background information
Birth nameUzoechi Osisioma Emenike
Also known asUzo Emenike
Born (1994-11-09) 9 November 1994 (age 29)
Lewisham, London, England
OriginBellingham, London, England
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Years active2011–present
Labels

Uzoechi Osisioma "Uzo" Emenike (born 9 November 1994), professionally known by his[a] stage name MNEK (/ˌɛməˈniːkeɪ/ EM-ə-NEE-kay; a gramogram of Emenike), is an English singer, songwriter and record producer.[2] He has been nominated for a Grammy and a Brit Award, and has received the ASCAP Vanguard Award.[3] His writing and production credits include H.E.R., Jax Jones, Zara Larsson, Little Mix, Dua Lipa, FLO, Sugababes, Clean Bandit, Julia Michaels, Craig David, Kanye West, Christina Aguilera, Becky Hill, Selena Gomez, Years & Years, Kylie Minogue, Beyoncé, Hailee Steinfeld, Madonna, KSI, Mabel and Twice.

Career

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2011–2013: Breakthrough

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In an interview with Build LDN, MNEK talked about his introduction into the music industry and how, at first, he did not even know what a publisher was. He stated, "I started writing poems and writing songs around the age of 8 or 7 and I started playing around with production software from really young as well. I then put some stuff up on Myspace finally when I was 14. There were two songs I had. I sent them out to all my favourite artists on Myspace and it just landed on this artist at the time called CocknBullKid, but she's now Anita Blay and she's an amazing songwriter. She was like "Okay, cool. I'm just gonna send this to my publisher" and at the time I had no idea what a publisher was. So she sent it and that was that and it became this flurry of people wanting to be my publisher and then that was me in the industry, but then I've had to grow in the industry at the same time – I've been learning on the job – because I was still in school and all that stuff. I was managing how to work that around it because my parents weren't gonna let me leave school."[4]

In 2011, when he was 16, he began writing and working with production group Xenomania and contributed to Florrie's 2011 extended play Experiments, which first labelled him professionally as a songwriter. Shortly after, his work with Xenomania earned him his break out when he worked with top acts The Saturdays and The Wanted. He also released his debut single "If Truth Be Told" in November of that year.[5]

In 2012, he worked with singer and songwriter A*M*E on her debut single "City Lights", featuring MNEK's brother Bartoven, and she became one of MNEK's first affiliates. In February, he was labelled as a featured performer on Rudimental's single "Spoons", alongside Syron. The song features on their 2013 debut album Home, where he also featured on the song "Baby", alongside Sinead Harnett, and also worked on the songs "Hell Could Freeze" and "Hide".

In 2013, MNEK contributed to the song "Need U (100%)", featuring A*M*E, and became his biggest contribution since working with The Saturdays. He was also labelled one of 15 artists to make BBC's Sound of 2014 long list.[6]

2014–2015: Small Talk

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In January 2014, he featured on Gorgon City's single "Ready for Your Love". The song peaked at number 4 on the UK Singles Chart. On 20 April 2014, he premiered "Every Little Word" on 1Xtra, the "buzz" single from his debut studio album. On 9 May 2014, the remix EP, featuring Joe Goddard and Fred V & Grafix among others was released. Emenike has said we can expect to hear collaborations with Moko, Snakehips and Jimmy Napes on the record.[7] The lead single "Wrote a Song About You" premiered on Annie Mac's BBC Radio 1 show on 13 June 2014. In June 2014, Oliver Heldens' track "Gecko (Overdrive)", which MNEK wrote, debuted at number one on both the UK Dance Chart and the UK Singles Chart. In 2014, he also worked with Madonna on her album Rebel Heart, and produced the song "Feels So Good" by Kylie Minogue, from her album Kiss Me Once. On 22 July 2014, MNEK released the promotional single "In Your Clouds" as part of an iTunes Ones to Watch campaign. The song will feature on his debut studio album.[8] His debut extended play (EP) Small Talk was released on 20 March 2015. In March 2015, JoJo announced that she worked with MNEK on her new studio album.

In July 2015, MNEK released "Never Forget You" with Swedish singer Zara Larsson.[9] The single premiered as Annie Mac's Hottest Record on BBC Radio 1 and to date has been certified Platinum in the UK, 3× Platinum in Sweden, 2× Platinum in Australia and Denmark and Platinum in Norway.[9] In the US, "Never Forget You" has been certified Platinum, reaching the number one spot on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Songs chart for three consecutive weeks and the top 10 of the national airplay chart.[10]

2016–present: Songwriting breakthrough and Language

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After the success of his Zara Larsson collaboration, he began working with other artists as a songwriter, beginning with his contribution to Beyoncé's 2016 song "Hold Up". He also went on to form songwriting partnerships with artists including Becky Hill, Leo Kalyan, Shift K3Y, Ryan Ashley, Jax Jones, and Brayton Bowman.

In 2016, he released his first solo single since his debut extended play, entitled "At Night (I Think About You)". Shortly after, he also released a cover of the renowned Queen single "Don't Stop Me Now". "At Night (I Think About You)" peaked at number 87 on the UK Singles Chart. After releasing the song, he stated that he was recording and producing his debut album.

In 2017, he released another single, entitled "Paradise", which samples Ultra Naté's 1997 hit "Free", as well as the collaborative single "Deeper" with Riton and the House Gospel Choir.

MNEK backstage

In February 2018, he teased the single "Tongue", which was revealed to be the lead single from his debut album, Language. He stated in an interview with Annie Mac[when?] that his album was finished and that he was mixing the album with mixing engineer Phil Tan. It was released on 7 September 2018.[11][12][13]

In July 2019, MNEK hosted a songwriting camp for LGBT singer-songwriters in association with Pride In Music.[14] The aim of the camp was to help emerging LGBT talent find a safe space to work in, as MNEK himself has experienced judgment from within the industry due to his sexual orientation. Participants in the event included L Devine, Olly Alexander, and Rina Sawayama.[15]

In 2020, MNEK collaborated with Joel Corry on the song "Head & Heart", which peaked at number one on the Official UK Charts, marking his first as a featured artist.

In 2021, MNEK appeared as a guest vocal coach on the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK.[16] On 11 May 2021, the Sugababes released a reworking of 2001 single "Run for Cover" featuring MNEK to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut album One Touch and plans for new music.[17][18][19]

In June 2021, it was announced that MNEK would be appearing alongside Olly Alexander on the third series of Celebrity Gogglebox which airs on Channel 4.[20] In 2022, MNEK produced a number of tracks on Island Records new girl group FLO EP "The Lead", including singles "Cardboard Box" and "Immature".[21] On 4 February 2022, he collaborated with Jax Jones on the single "Where Did You Go?".[22] The song peaked at number 7 in the UK and has since been certified Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry. In November, MNEK teamed up with Galantis and David Guetta on the song "Damn (You've Got Me Saying)".[23] "Radio", the collaboration with Sigala, was released in January 2023.[24] The same year he released another 2 songs, "16 Again" with Paul Woolford and Lewis Thompson[25] and "Oh The Glamour" with Aluna, Pabllo Vittar and Eden Prince.[26]

MNEK has produced multiple songs for FLO, including but not limited to "Cardboard Box", "Immature", "Summertime" and "Feature Me".

On 2 February 2024 MNEK announced his new-found label called MuzoByUzo - with its first artist being Tyler Lewis.[27] Its second artist rumored to be Roch.

Personal life

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Emenike came out as gay when he was 19.[28] Emenike has established a songwriting camp for LGBTQ+ singer-songwriters in association with Pride in Music, which collaborates with other influential artists like Rina Sawayama.[28] He wants to reach out to young adults figuring out their sexuality.[29]

Discography

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Main article: MNEK discography
See also: MNEK production discography

Awards and nominations

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Main article: List of awards and nominations received by MNEK

Notes

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  1. ^ MNEK uses he/him, she/her and they/them pronouns and switches between them; this article uses he/him pronouns for consistency.[1]

References

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  1. ^ Magliola, Anna Sky (2 January 2023). "MNEK: Everything you need to know about the talented singer-songwriter 🎶". Planet Radio. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  2. ^ "Grammy Nominated UK Producer & Songwriter MNEK Releases Debut EP 'Small Talk' Today". Top40-Charts.com.
  3. ^ "Jess Glynne and MNEK to receive ASCAP Vanguard Award". Musi Week.
  4. ^ ""I Had No Idea What a Publisher Was" – MNEK On His Young Start In the Industry". YouTube. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  5. ^ "If Truth Be Told". YouTube. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  6. ^ "BBC Music – BBC Sound Of, 2014 – MNEK". BBC.
  7. ^ "Yinka & Friends: MNEK". Rinse FM on YouTube. 10 June 2014.
  8. ^ "MNEK – Timeline photos". Facebook. 22 July 2014.
  9. ^ a b "MNEK & ZARA LARSSON – full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  10. ^ "Zara Larsson – Chart history – Billboard". Billboasrd.com.
  11. ^ "MNEK Releases Sexy Single 'Tongue' From His Upcoming Debut Album". Billboard.com. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  12. ^ "Play MNEK's "Tongue" and tell someone special that you love them". Thefader.com. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  13. ^ "MNEK's honest album". Femalefirst.co.uk. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  14. ^ "Pride in Music ~ Supporting LGBTQ+ in British Music". Pride in Music. 27 June 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  15. ^ "MNEK: Someone told me my video made them uncomfortable". BBC News. 6 July 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  16. ^ "Mnek Joins Upcoming 'RuPaul's Drag Race UK' as Guest Vocal Coach". Billboard. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  17. ^ Ryan, Gary (11 May 2021). "Sugababes tell us about celebrating 20 years of 'One Touch' and plans for new music – Check out the new remix of 'Run For Cover' by MNEK from the upcoming reissue of their debut, as the pop icons talk to us about their early days, Little Mix, racism and "going to work on something fresh"". nme. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  18. ^ "Sugababes Announce 'One Touch' 20th Anniversary Edition / Premiere MNEK 'Run For Cover' Remix". thatgrapejuice. 11 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  19. ^ "Sugababes – Run for Cover MNEK Remix". iTunes. 11 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  20. ^ West, Amy (17 June 2021). "Celebrity Gogglebox confirms It's a Sin's Olly Alexander and MNEK". Digital Spy. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  21. ^ "FLO: Meet the girl band behind Immature who count SZA, Little Mix and MNEK among their fans". Official Charts.
  22. ^ Sky Magliola, Anna (4 February 2022). "Jax Jones and MNEK drop new catchy collab 'Where Did You Go'". Hits Radio. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  23. ^ Tam, Michael (17 November 2022). "Galantis, David Guetta & MNEK - Damn (You've Got Me Saying)". EDMTunes. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  24. ^ "Sigala teams up with MNEK on new single 'Radio'". RetroPop. 9 January 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  25. ^ "MNEK on "big dance bop" 16 Again and hopes to work with Sam Smith". GAY TIMES. 30 March 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  26. ^ "Aluna Shares New Song "Oh The Glamour" Featuring Pabllo Vittar, MNEK, & Eden Prince". Stereogum. 7 June 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  27. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  28. ^ a b "Celebrating Black Pride: the inspiring story of UK musician, singer, songwriter and producer MNEK". www.withersworldwide.com. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  29. ^ "MNEK: I want to say it's OK to be black and gay". BBC News. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
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