Ep 97 - Meekz Opens Up About Success, Grief & Never Giving Up

0:00Hey, it's Paige from Giggly Squad, and I want to let you know that if you want the newest and hottest beauty products, you have to go to Sephora. I'm obsessed with the One Size Liquid Blotting Paper Spray. It's the first of its kind blotting spray that mattifies for up to eight hours. It's unreal. There's also the Summer Friday Shade Drops SPF 50, which basically lives in my bag at this point. Oh, and the Kayali Eden Plush Pear smells so good. It's sweet, warm, and addictive. like people literally stop me and ask what perfume I'm wearing which you know I love so if you want the makeup skincare hair and fragrance products everyone's about to be obsessed with shop only at Sephora yes what's good people Mo Gilligan here and right now you're tuned into my podcast beginning middle and end now my guest today grew up in Manny Manchester That's right, Gorton to be exact.

0:53Now he's known for his signature balaclava and his raw honesty when it comes to storytelling. That's right, he went from SoundCloud freestyles to collaborating with Dave, performing at Glastonbury and also the Brit Awards in 2022. And he also inspires kids to dress up as him on World Book Day. Please, welcome to the podcast, Manchester's very own mates. But no, thanks for doing this, bro. I appreciate it, man. Yeah, nah, you too, man. I see what you're doing. I like what you're doing. Do you know what's mad is that, the reason why, that's why I said about the Brits thing, because I seen, I didn't, I seen you at the Brits, but I didn't meet you at the Brits.

1:30Does that make sense? Yeah, yeah, yeah. I think I might walk past you in the red carpet. Yeah, yeah. I didn't know it was you until you had walked past. Okay, yeah. But you had your belly on then. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But I didn't know it was you, you, because I was like, is that, is that me or not? I don't know. And it was until, I think after you performed I think it might be in rehearsal I was like Oh Raj shit Did you do Because I was hosting Yeah Yeah Okay Yeah Because I was hosting So I was like I knew who you was anyway Oh big ups bro Nah man Thanks for coming And doing the pod bro I really appreciate that man Yeah this is like My first time sitting down really Because you don't do podcasts And stuff Nah not really Why not Why do you think that I'm very like I'm very like I think my whole brand's been Very like mystique Mystery sort of thing Yeah yeah yeah yeah And like even just Me I'm very introverted Do you get what I'm saying?

2:17But I know how to hold a conversation I love to conversate Do you get what I'm saying? So it's just a bit Fingy why I've not done it on camera But like even just It takes a lot out of me When I do the interview No 100 % I can imagine man It feels like I've put it And it's also like a bit of a weight Off my shoulders Now that I've recently started Because I did something the other day With Pulse there Okay And I did a little Clipping thing the other day And I felt like a little bit of a weight Had been lifted off my shoulders Do you get what I'm saying? Do you feel like your fans can connect with you a bit more because I always feel like with musicians because they don't do a lot of podcasts you don't get to know as much of them but also I know that the mystique is kind of what people buy into a little bit as well so for my fans I think they understand that and have come to the acceptance of that they ain't gonna get that I just feel like this is more for the new viewer the new person that's gonna be watching sometimes you might just see an individual in a bar of car and think oh he's just done do you get what I'm saying they don't know they can't really see my personality or they don't get to see what's behind the mask at least if I speak up now like today we're going to speak and it's like at least then they get to get more of an insight it's like then they decide whether you take to it or not do you get what I'm saying it's just tapping into new audiences I feel like the media is changing a lot more now these things are becoming important and crucial people want to know what you had for breakfast they want to know it's true people I think you know it's interesting I feel like with social media it's made you want to know more because you know you follow someone's story But then there's also a level of media now That social media Where you know You being on a podcast It's got people that's like Oh I can I can hear him speak And talk about things I've never heard before Yeah Do you know what I mean And have more of an understanding Yeah especially when it comes to you as a musician Because when you're writing stuff You're like Oh I get why He spoke about this in the track Do you know what I mean Because sometimes as a musician You know I'm a fan of music And sometimes I'm like I love to know Like Sometimes art can't be explained Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah That's another where there's come Since I've been like drawing And I've been linking with Slon and stuff And I've been researching a lot more Into art and stuff And it's like Sometimes it can't be explained And everybody has their own version Of what they see Yeah, yeah, yeah, of course And what they hear Do you get what I'm saying?

4:27So that's another That's another like thing with art Where you're gonna take What you want from it anyway Do you know what I'm saying? Yeah, yeah, yeah And paint that picture But again, it is harder To get across the full thing sometimes Even if you want to explain something in a song There's only so much You can do with the wordplay And with the words Whereas when you're Sitting down speaking We can obviously get A lot more off our chest Do you get what I'm saying Yeah yeah yeah Which I'm It's like putting colours To the picture Exactly Yeah man He did the art He did his thing Come on bro I got lyrics too bro

4:57But no I'm a major fan man I think One of the first tracks That I really got onto Because I say We have a mutual But you know Like my friend Javan He's worked with you as well And he was playing I think he was playing your music in the car one time but Like Me was the track okay I think that was like would you say that's one of your standout hits that one had a lot of commercial success definitely that's like one of my biggest records I'd say that really stumped it yeah most definitely yeah that was definitely the first track most definitely like I remember like and I'm like oh yeah yeah this is like that's the one that you know I'm in the gym I've got my gym tracks yeah yeah and that's the one I'm like alright cool let's put put another 20 on there some higher you need to try you need to try car stop all stop in the gym though yeah yeah but that one that's the one I'm like alright you don't get the pump and you're like ooh alright put number 20 and then you go let me take 20 off man let me take 20 off man a lot of sports people do love that tune I think like Paddy the Buddy was online saying it's like one of his favourite tunes the fighters and the boxers and the fighters love that tune it's got an attitude about it 110 ,000 percent You know what I'm saying So like Explain Because you're talking about Art and stuff Yeah But like You started So would you say Is it four years old That you kind of started rapping Was it four years old Like you started In terms of like When it comes to like Just trying to put bars together And sentences And stuff Oh from a young age That's four years old I mean I thought you meant like Have I been rapping for four years Oh yeah It's a little bit longer than that now But I'd say like From a young age Like the man used to make me Rap out my name Do you get what I'm saying?

6:38Like my uncles And my mum's friends And that They used to have me Rap out my name And just doing things But where I've had My own actual lyric Like that I've had that from like Five I'd say Do you get what I'm saying? From like yeah Very young age Where I can still remember It till this day Yeah yeah Where I've had my own bars From a very Do you get what I'm saying? Yeah man yeah yeah And I can still remember The bars till now Do you get what I'm saying? But I'm not going to say them Because it spells out My full name And we kind of Yeah I'm saying You ruined the whole thing Yeah I'm saying Yeah yeah 100 of So like Who were your early inspirations at?

7:09Like, cause I'm trying to think of like, when I was five, I'd, I'll be honest. I wanted to be a fireman at fire, bro. Yeah. I badly wanted to be a fireman. Until the planting started popping back at me. I said, I can't be a fireman. That one is wicked. The planting. That one is wicked. He said, I can't be a fireman, bro. But like, who were your early inspirations at that age? Like, cause I know you said like your uncle and stuff. And was there like musicians at that time? that like inspired you? Musicians wise from a young age, it's harder to like really remember because like remember, I'm seeing individuals that represent these artists, so like it might be like, oh, my uncles used to listen to Master P or No Limit Soldiers.

7:52Do you get what I'm saying? I had a doll, a Master P doll, a young age that was like dressed in full camo and it used to go, na, na, na, na. And I've just been infatuated with that kind of stuff from young and obviously tapped into like the Louisiana type of side of music and yeah yeah for me yeah I think that's like one of the main ones um that was with me from a young age and that's obviously due to that the music that's being played around me but remember man still you grew up on like your garages and your sidewinders yeah yeah yeah and your sceptors like my mom and I was probably playing them them sidewinder discs and stuff do you get what I'm saying so just music in general do you know I'm saying not just like this American thing where sometimes it might only I could say that and it's easy to say do you get what I'm saying but you're still influenced with England at the end of the day do you get what I'm saying Great Britain And at the end of the day, I remember the side wind, the dicks being in my mum's and my uncle's yard.

8:41And my mum used to hold hella house parties. And I'd be on the stairs like that, looking down back. Like, come down, you know what I'm saying? I used to come down. I had this little dance I used to do. I don't know if I'm going to tell you about the dance. I used to do a guitar dance. My mum's friends would say, come and do your dance. I used to do that, ding, ding, ding, and do the guitar dance for them. They don't want to see me on stage with that one. No, but you know that at a young age, there's always the relatives and elves would be like, Like, come do your thing. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So I had that from young, you get what I'm saying?

9:11Come on, I'll give you five pounds. Do your thing, man. Two pound coins. I used to be obsessed with them. I had a two pound coin. Man give me 50p a pound. Nope, two pounds. I need two pound coins to get us to collect them. So like at that age, you're obviously so right. Because what I've always liked about Manchester, and Manchester is one of my favourite places. One, to do comedy, but the love there is very, very genuine. And I don't just say that to say that, But like I was going up there From when I was like 2021 Doing stand up shows This is before I had Any success or anything But the honesty Is the one thing I always loved Because I always used to love The fact like What I used to like About Manchester Until this day People were like Yo mate I'm not gonna lie bro You mate Gonna be fucking superstar mate And I'm like Oh bro thanks I don't know this guy But Oh thank you so much Nah mate I'm telling you mate You're gonna be fucking superstar mate But you know what what I've always realised with Manchester is that there's such a there's such a scene there like I think even now if you want if I want to go out I'd be honest I'd have a better time in Manchester than I would have in London but it's always been like that but it's a city surrounded Has it always been like that would you say yeah I would say do you know why because I've been going there since I was like 20 yeah yeah yeah and don't get me wrong going up there being from London you get a little bit of different tension you know what I mean like yo mate where are you from nah I'm from London oh my god you're well you're well nice mate You've got waves in your hair I'm like Thank you I appreciate that Thank you Shirley I appreciate that But then Do you know what I think As I got older Is realising like One you think of like The town itself Yeah But And you think You know It's got a music scene A historic music scene Do you know what I mean It's got iconic football teams It's got a nightlife You put that all together And you get this Vibe Vibe city Do you know what I mean Yeah 100 % But then also You know You've got the other Outer areas as well Which Greater Manchester Yeah you've got the other Out areas as well You know them areas Obviously like the Oakport and the Oldham Yeah yeah yeah Oldham And all of these Kind of places Stockport Yeah yeah man Of course man Cheshire and Wilmslow That's where I'm at Now Cheshire Come on bro Listen I've seen the houses It's very nice I get lost man Yeah But I think like Would you say that like That kind of Environment helped you Shape your sound In some ways Because you You know you have Because you've got the hood There as well I told you something I'm saying.

11:34Yeah, yeah, of course. Which is literally a stone's throw away from, do you know what I mean, from the city centre and stuff where, like, but again, it's like, you know, you've got people from another part of London coming to the city where, you know, you're hearing different sounds, but also you've got your own sound. How much did that kind of shape, like, your musical journey in some ways? I feel like when I started rapping, I feel like, because I remember, like you're saying, even down to London and putting on American accents for years and even in Manchester certain artists putting on American accents and putting on a London accent for me slyly but I was in I did some time in Birmingham with some London friends and Birmingham friends and I feel like I used I used like one or two things where I'm like why did I say it do you get what I'm saying but I made it a thing to actually sound how I talk I wanted to put that across I put the money in my name yeah I stood on the accent I stood on the Manchester culture And like I really wanted to just make it a thing Do you get what I'm saying?

12:37Because even me Let's not even speak about anybody else But like You think you have to do it like this way or that way And obviously remember London has predominantly Just owned the music game for centuries So then you might And just we listen to that music Remember the music we're listening to I'm listening to that That's all Like you're saying that's all we're listening to really Like growing up And then Like they might be the odd Manchester artists But predominantly on the radio And on these things The commercial successful rappers is obviously with the London accent. So then you might think, oh, you have to do it like that.

13:05Do you get what I'm saying? Yeah, man. But me, I just made it a thing to just be myself in it and just like rock with this, like this is how I speak. And so when I'm actually just speaking on the mic, how I actually talk was like a big thing for me. Yeah, man. Do you know what I'm saying? So yeah, definitely played a big influence on that. And I think I've played a big influence back on it. Do you get what I'm saying? Just like played it off each other sort of thing. Do you know what I mean? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Because it is, it is. I love Manchester. I've got so much time For Manchester man Obviously I have a place In the country But there's no place I love doing a show Is it sick like that Like Manchester Oh bro It's one of my favourites man I always look forward to it Yeah yeah yeah But it's also Down to earth isn't it Like real So down But I think that's a I think that's a northern thing Though as well Yeah yeah people do say Like you get a good morning Yeah yeah yeah Bro it's just the small things Like that Do you know what I mean What was happening mate What are you doing here mate In the handels I'm just I don't know I'm just shopping man Mate I fucking love you mate Couple of cans Oh bro The vibe is so nice man Like Your newest project Is called Can't Stop Won't Stop right Yeah Mr.

14:07Can't Stop Won't Stop The latest The one to come The one to come That's out in June Yes This will be out By around that time 25th of June Yeah yeah yeah Was that inspired Because I know your uncle passed And it's on his gravestone as well You said he was a bit of an inspiration When you was young When you were like dancing And stuff like this Yeah So Like Tundi had his lyrics used to rap he used to be with like Trigger and remember Can't See We Face Balaclava Yeah yeah yeah You know them garage things there and that was like their kind of thing do you get me and they had these lyrics that was Can't Stop Won't Stop and I've not really even explained this story too tough it's a deep one for me but like I went to Tundi's funeral when I was six years of age and I watched The Open Coffin but like he was like my friend remember he's a lot older than me but I raised around these guys and he was almost like my friends like because my mum used to send me out with him he used to take me to meet wes brown and yeah yeah stay at his mum's yard and and it was almost like he was my friend you get me so i held a lot of trauma from that from young do you get what i'm saying um it's a dark story as well because like teka had passed away and like i got blood family like my actual blood who's like their family's like involved with the passing but like they loved him but then it's just like my Uncle Ju basically had Sunday had his training on the night.

15:30So even for me to stand on it, some people in my family not happy with it. Some people are. It's just like, it's a lot, but like, it's hard for me to not because remember, like I say, he's shown me how to rap, shown me my first lyrics. I seen that and that's just never going to leave my head like from a young age. Do you get what I'm saying? The impact that it had on man's life and just feel like when I'm doing it, I'm tapping into like some different powers and just like, I'm connecting back with that thing because it never should have happened. wish it never did and things you know what I'm saying but I'm a baby all that stuff don't really cross my mind or play a part in what I'm standing on do you get what I'm saying so that's like a massive thing for me and to just double down on it this season now and just to let them know that yeah man's really Mr.

16:12Can't Stop won't stop and let them know what it actually means to me like man didn't just come in the game and make light at me and can't stop and it was just like oh like it was just another guy rapping and just know it like it's real really deep and it's so them energies what you get in the gym and that is like it's really real do you get what I'm saying do you know what I'm trying to say it's not like a joke so yeah man just doubling down and that just letting people know like you get me if you can do it twice they know you're super nice I like that man yeah but yeah it's a mantra man it's something that I live by you get what I'm saying and obviously from a young age and it been inspired by it so and like it's not just about like they used to say like they're gonna need an army to stop us and they'd be 20-30 man outside my mum's on pedal bikes And I'm looking at these, my like, you're a dangerous, like, yeah, but like, but also on top of that, it's like, for me, it's just like the never giving up mindset, like suicide is high.

17:04Like I've got a lot of people who have passed away and sadly took their own lives and friends and people's dads and those things. And it's like, I just really think that can't stop, won't stop is a message that is actually needed for male attention. Like for males, we need it. Like we ain't giving up like it's can't and it's resilience, it's strength. Do you get what I'm saying? Like, it means a lot more than just like when you see the army tanks and stuff, they mean to me, like, never, you can't stop an army tank. they might go through the mud and go through the war even if they break down and have a little you can leave an army tank in the water for 10 years come back to it and start it it can be covered in mud covered in whatever get blown up and it still can keep going so it's like for me it's like resilience and strength and there's power to keep pushing through and never give up that's the real meaning it's not all about the wars and the guns obviously that's one thing because if the war kit we're men in it so we love that we do like that stuff that's why action movies sell but like And obviously it's like, if the war gets off today in the UK, massively, we'd all get a kiss on the cheek of our mums and stuff and our bags packed and say, go on, good luck, son.

18:03Hit the road. Do you get what I'm saying? So we've always got to kind of be aware of that side of things anyway. But for me, it's more when I push the tanks and you might see some other objects in there. It's more about the, I respect the resilience and the strength of it and just like the never giving up side of things. Do you get what I'm saying? Because you like your camo and stuff as well, isn't it? Exactly. Yeah, that's what it really means to me though. Do you know what I'm saying? You got some gums though And I'm calm up Like my face is calm I've been trying to stay in this Do you get what I'm trying to say?

18:31So it's like That's also what that represents The side of me Like where I'm like Kind of blending Trying to just like Yeah taking the music Like don't worry about Don't worry about me Do you get what I'm saying? Like sort of thing So yeah But also I think What I found interesting About you as well Like where You obviously don't show your face But then You're Even like today Like with your tracksuit and your fit is always on point. And the reason why I asked you when we started about the Brits is because I remember you, when you performed at the Brits with Dave, you was wearing like a two-piece, like a Louis Vuitton, I think it was like the Louis Vuitton ski jacket with the matching trousers.

19:11Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah. It was, remember we did In the Fire? Yeah, and it was hot on stage. But that outfit was a Virgil piece. Yeah. That changed with temperature. Oh, is it? So like when you put your hand on it or a little bit of heat, it changes colour. Oh, right. And I know that's like a viral thing now on the trend, but Virgil was like one of the first to do it. Yeah. And obviously showing love and respect to Virgil. Remember that was like a predominantly black stage that day. Yeah, yeah, I remember. All black. Yeah, yeah, yeah. The first black people to actually close the Brits after Adele.

19:39Yeah, yeah, yeah. After Ed, we closed the day. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So it was like amazing. So I wanted to also embrace the fact, remember Virgil was the first black designer at Louis Vuitton. Yeah, man. Like the very first black designer to have a head job at Louis Vuitton was Virgil. And Virgil used to show me a lot of love. Anything you need from the warehouse, shout at me. Do you get what I'm saying? Rest in peace, Virgil, king of all kings, gold. Do you get what I'm saying? So I just felt like, because I'm not really going to go and support and spend 25 grand on an outfit unless I'm doing it like, yo, it means a lot to me.

20:07And I still have that outfit to this day. Do you get what I'm saying? It don't really come out unless it's coming out. Do you get what I'm saying? But remember, I did In The Fire and that tracks you cheap reactive. And a lot of people don't even know that. I go deeper sometimes You know what I'm saying How was that for you? Because I was at the Brits And I think that might have been The first time I hosted it And one The track is iconic Do you know what I mean? You've got the choir And all that stuff The track's biblical What was it like for you? Because that's a It's a mainstream show That comes on You know I think that was aired on a Saturday And it was You know It's one of the biggest award shows That we have Do you know what I mean?

20:47And when you think of UK music, you think of, you know, let's be honest, when we think of, sometimes we can often think of pop and stuff. But to also, to see the mandem up there, I remember I got to watch rehearsals and I was like, right, the mandem are really here. Do you know what I mean? What was it like for you in that space? To actually be there. Yeah. For me, obviously, all glory to God, firstly. I feel like at the time I might not have known How important it actually was I remember I'm just doing my job And things are coming thick and fast I remember you was walking around Like on your wands sometimes I came there in my tracksuit Like yeah I remember In a Nike tech I was on the red carpet In a Nike tech People have done it now But I was like the first person To do that Do you know what I'm saying But like Obviously it was It was It was It's hard for me to dive into it now But remember I speak about the British Awards a lot I think I've mentioned it like Three times in my lyrics I'll never forget that day.

21:42Such an amazing day, such an amazing time. Yeah. Hey, it's Paige from Giggly Squad. And I want to let you know that if you want the newest and hottest beauty products, you have to go to Sephora. I'm obsessed with the One Size Liquid Blotting Paper Spray. It's the first of its kind blotting spray that mattifies for up to eight hours. It's unreal. There's also the Summer Friday Shade Drops SPF 50, which basically lives in my bag at this point. Oh, and the Kayali Eden Plush Pear smells so good. It's sweet, warm, and addictive. Like, people literally stop me and ask what perfume I'm wearing, which you know I love.

22:19So if you want the makeup, skincare, hair, and fragrance products everyone's about to be obsessed with, shop only at Sephora. Every wireless service comes with a cost, right? Wrong. The TextNow app lets you do your thing for free. Get real talk, real text, and 5G data for must-have apps with no monthly bill. Need more data? Add it right from the app. Done? Go back to free. No long-term contracts, no pressure, no surprises. Just wireless that works around you. TextNow. We've got your back. Download TextNow in your app store today. Wireless plans require the purchase of a SIM card. Visit textnow.com for terms and conditions.

22:59It was more about after my grandma and stuff and aunties and people that are behind the door and they're saying, wow, bro, you should have heard it last night. everyone's banging the doors going mad and going crazy wow like and like my granny's like I'm proud of you and that's the first time she'd ever said it to me so I was like okay that's when I started at the time yeah I knew it was serious I knew anything I'm doing I'm thinking yeah we're doing this do you get what I'm saying but like after was more when I felt like the impact and the power of how important it actually was yeah man and being on the stage I think like I had a lump in my throat when I first come out like when it was the day because remember you got all the Brit Awards school kids and the Brit School Academy kids and then when I'm coming out they're like and that's when I'm like oh shit do you know what I'm saying and not even just down to like the celebs and everybody was there it was the kids that are from the Brit School that are aspiring to do music and going to be the next generation and it was like there's a kid that was there called Seek Siku and he's doing his thing now like I think he just did something with like Justin Bieber and stuff like he's doing his thing and he was in that crowd on that day and he even said it to me like his message Before now And told me like Yo that was sick But I felt that on the day How powerful it was For those kids That was in that crowd Do you get what I'm saying And what we'd done Like you're saying It hadn't really been done before Nah I think he had a guitar With fire coming out of it Crazy But If you watch the rehearsals Yeah Danger I remember watching the rehearsals Because Again I got a watch To then talk about it Maybe afterwards Or if you got a throw to Oh guys we've just seen Dave And because you know I can't be like We've just seen the performance And people are like Bro you ain't gonna mention The fire coming out The guitar Do you know what I mean What's really going on And even for me It was Overwhelming Because one I'm hosting it But also I wanna see my people there Was that the first time You hosted as well First time Yeah yeah yeah That was with Ed Sheeran there Amazing And then he You know After he opened the show And then the camera Panned to me And then I opened the show Amazing What they wanted to do The other way around So they said look We want you to say Hey welcome Yeah And then And I was like Okay And then they changed it And they said no Ed's gonna go on Then you're gonna go on afterwards Bro I was so nervous man I was so I was so nervous I was just shouting I was like We're here Why because you can't say the wrong thing And you're used to saying Whatever you want to say I didn't swear though I swore Yeah yeah yeah man And I remember You know it was mad Cause so I had this Sometimes being too nervous Can make you slip up in it Do you know what it is When everyone kept telling me Just do not swear Do not swear I'm like It's in your mind now So yes I've finished I say finished That halfway through I'm getting comfortable now I can do a little ad lib Little joke there And then I think David Gitter had performed So I said Oh you know Got David Gitter Oh yeah it's like Ibiza Come on Gitter You know it's fucking I said oh Oh I thought you said Get your tits out Ibiza get your tits out Bro I said fucking And then I just remember It felt like Time stopped yeah And remember Cause I got them in my ear And all I heard is Mo Mo You need to apologise you need to say sorry so then but we've gone to a break 30 seconds to apologise and I felt like do you know what it is yeah and this is why I asked if you were nervous yeah is because I also knew that like this ain't really my arena as a young black man this ain't really my arena like that it's new but also it's like I know you know like when you know your haters are waiting for your downfall does that make sense they're just waiting like come on and I thought Oh my god I've given them The ammunition now Get him off My child was watching this No one said that No no no No one really thought it But the problem was Because I apologised Then everyone's clocked now So when we come back And I've said Look guys I'm going to say Like you know Oh you left the hole Breaking and apologised So now everyone's said What did he say You come back and reminded them Now everyone's Rewind Rewind Literally bro What happened there I said oh man But I was nervous I was nervous and I've just remembered now remember I came down the stairs yeah yeah yeah I was thinking do not fall down the stairs and it was steeper than anything I'd ever walked down like and you got holding the mic as well I got a belly on I'm holding the mic do you get what I'm saying so and I was coming from the top walking down the steps I thought please don't fall over so that was a little bit of a nerve from me do you get what I'm saying I think I did rehearsal so perfectly and then on the day I think I made there was one little mistake what I'd made no one will ever notice it don't look back let's not go there yeah so I'm watching and going back now see I knew we got that bit wrong yeah man speaking of performances your Daily Duppy is close to like what 10 million views and I feel like Daily Duppies have become so important now for the scene for one you know we've got an audience now who consume music as well as listening to it and stuff but Daily Duppies have become a huge part of, especially like UK music as well, UK rap music and stuff.

28:07Yeah, yeah, yeah. It gives the audience, you know, that, you know, close to 10 million views. Do you know what I mean? Yeah. How do you, how do you find it when, you know, you're hearing those numbers through like a daily duppy now and, you know, you've done, and this was, you know, just obviously you've done things like the Brits and stuff, but your art is still, you know, getting mad traction. Do you know what I mean? You're talking like, You get like 1 million Spotify listeners And that's just on Spotify a month So how are you like When you start hearing those numbers Of like 10 million views On like a video and stuff You know I say the pool for improvement Has no boundaries Do you get what I'm saying And I'm always going to want to Find room for improvement And room for growth But you still have to be Like not have to be I'm just I'm a grateful person in general Do you get what I'm saying Yeah Always just give thanks to the most high But it's like Yeah it is it is mad isn't it it's crazy when you think about it like that do you get what I'm saying I'm trying to do some Michael Jackson numbers man do you know what I'm saying so for me that's still a bit small small do you get what I'm saying but I'm still very thankful and appreciative that the people can take to it do you get what I'm saying maybe they're waiting for the mask to come off and what not but I just want them to take the music do you get what I'm saying and I did put a tremendous amount of research and effort into that daily though because of how important it is it actually is I wanted to like Give it like a new meaning Of like You shouldn't just I don't want to just go in there And do a song or a rap I want to actually do something That Like you do the imagery in it With the pictures and that Yeah yeah of course So like I mentioned Over like a hundred Different like Artist names I did America I did London I did Manchester Did you get what I'm saying And not just artists Actors and movies And You get what I'm saying The movies is the next one To be fair I just give them a weird Little certain there You get me But yeah so I did like A lot of Like individual who I respect as well.

30:01Like Liam Gallagher, Oasis, the Beatles. Do you get what I'm saying? I'm saying a lot of things. And it was like a challenge for me. So for people to actually respond the way they did and appreciate the way they did, I'm just thankful. But when you do put the work in, you know what, you always get the results anyway. Yeah, yeah, yeah. When you do put hard work in, do you get what I'm saying? And I wrote that in Abbey Road Studios. Some of the lyrics I'd had from like the age of 14, which is crazy, just little bits of it. Because I've always had little crazy metaphors. and like I kind of built it around that do you get what I'm saying?

30:32and yeah I wrote it in Abbey Road Studios and I had like a team as well like my team was kind of like throwing things in like why don't you speak about for instance like Benedict Wong who's from Manchester who's never won a BAFTA but he's in like huge films Fantastic Four's and huge films do you get what I'm saying? so I was like okay thank you and then I get it like if man can give me something and I'm going to turn it into ammo do you get what I'm saying? so like you can throw something and I'll be like okay Do you get what I'm saying? So yeah, it was like, it was a bit of a team effort as well.

31:02And I loved the way I articulated it. I was proud of it, man. Do you know what I'm saying? Yeah, most definitely. What is your writing process like? Yeah, like I have different, like you said, that was a little bit of a challenge, like where I challenged myself and really went into it. And the fact that it was appreciated and respected, I feel like I should definitely do more of them in depth more. Sometimes I like to just do like, not right sort of thing. Just do it off the rip. when I write I can go more into intellectual details of things when I don't write it's more like it's more like base not base level knowledge because I'm still I'm still gonna obviously tap into my level of intellect you get what I'm saying but it's more not digging into how deep I can actually go I would say so but it's more of an energy thing because remember sometimes it's what I enjoy sometimes it's not always about the lyrics and the bass people just want the flow people just want the flow and the rhythm that's what you see now with a lot of the beats that's crazy and it's like Man, I'm not even listening to what's being said.

31:58We just want to enjoy ourselves. We just want to have the flow. You know the thing? Melodies, like the big Afro beats, sometimes it's like... No words. Do you get what I'm saying? And that's like a big thing. And even sometimes people might not even know what you're saying. Half of England don't know what I'm saying. I've been in a club, people are saying... I'm like... But it's a melody thing and it's music. So sometimes it's like that for me And it's like that doesn't have to go into too much depth and detail when you find that type of... Is it like finding like the balance as well? Most definitely, do you get what I'm saying?

32:35But yeah, it's a challenge to do that. So a lot of the times I don't write in it. So like I'm saying it just comes off like the natural energies, the natural instinct. And if I'm going to like write and go into it, then I'll spend a little bit more time and think about it. Do you get what I'm saying? That's genuinely my process for writing. like I've got songs that I've been trying to articulate for for years now and I've still not found the words for it and correctly how what I do because I want to do some things like might be like a song about my nana and granddad and the wind rush and when they came here and I still haven't found a way to fully articulate that record do you get what I'm saying so yeah I enjoy I just enjoy writing do you get what I'm saying in general really and truly but I'll be writing I've got ADHD I'll get another idea because I think like whenever i listen to music you can sometimes hear a beat and you're like oh and you know like sometimes where i don't know if you have this but as as as as a fan of the music you're like oh i just want to hear flow on this you know ain't gonna be two similes and did you get it did you i got it you know but just just just ride on it man it's all right literally you talk about like I guess you enjoy the music Do you also enjoy Like Your like Anonymity in some ways Where you get to You know Live your life away From music Where people don't know What you look like Do you know what I mean It's like It gets harder As the time goes on I've lived I've been lucky To live a bit of a normal life Like There was even points Where I would still go To the shopping centres And still go to certain My peers And be like Yo mad man Like They don't know what I look like Do you get what I'm saying And then It got to the point where then as things started to like commercialise a little bit more it wasn't I used to have to worry about bumping into say for instance if I go to like your Selfridges or whatever I have to worry about the kids that are going to be in there and the younger ones that are going to bump into me it was like that for a long time and I'd take the odd picture and then whatever do you get what I'm saying?

34:39And you go to Selfridges with this on? With a bad and bad? No this is when I used to go without it so I'd have to put it on I don't really hide from people it's the cameras from people I'd love to just like meet people and take it off and be like hi okay like I'm nice to meet you just to have that personal thing so I don't mind that at a point but it was like I'll tell you something about that one but for the self it's like it was just like the people that I used to have to worry about that might be in there shopping or with the parents and whatever or school kids after this and that then it started getting to the staff the security would be like yo it's bro and they're walking around following me not like with me like yo my son and I'm thinking brother should you not be stood over there like do you get up saying or like I'm getting to the till and they're like yo my friend's a boxer he wants you to walk him out and I'm like okay it's getting to that point now where actual corporate people in these buildings are now starting to understand who I am and respect mine and then then it starts to get a little bit too much because like I just want to shop in it I just want to do my thing and then people asking for favours and this and that do you know what I'm saying and obviously there's a thing that I say though like you can never really be mad at that because imagine if I go in there nobody wants a picture with me or nobody wants to talk to me yeah yeah yeah like do you get what I'm saying there can be two different things Do you get what I'm saying?

35:47No, like, you can't be like, oh, I'm taking pictures of her because one day you might walk down the street and no one wants to take a picture with you. That's like where you've always got to be grateful. Do you get what I'm saying? I say to them, can I take one with you? Thank you. Appreciate your mum's it, like, whatever it may be. Do you get what I'm saying? Yeah. Because, yeah, like, yeah, man, you got to be thankful for them things as much as sometimes it can be like, oh, don't, like, I'm not in the mood or whatever, but you signed up for this, innit? You got to be in the mood, innit? Yes, do you get what I'm saying?

36:11It's the part of success Where you're like Well I want to make music But this also Is my life now Do you get what I'm saying This is how my life's changed Do you know what I mean But then with the The shopper center I don't want to wear Say it could be I could get in trouble Because like I don't wear Remember I wear ballet So imagine if I'm shopping With no ballet And then like 10 school kids All after school Gassed up Boys just wear What'll take a picture of me Then I have to go over And say delete that And then they're rude And then I'm gonna have to Take the phone Or something could happen Like that It's like a risk Because like now Meeks has took a kid's phone

36:42So I just had to stop it. I was like, no, let's just because there's too many risks. There's too many cons to it, especially because I wear the mask. You know what I'm saying? I can't be getting no use phone. And then next week I'm in the paper for taking a use phone. And yeah, yeah, yeah. You know what I'm trying to say? So there's just little things like that. And yeah, like, I feel like I've calmed down a bit more. And I used to do a lot more like, but now it's like people clock the way I walk, the way I talk. I said to me, someone said to me, but it's the way you dress. He's like, even if I didn't know, yo, I'd be like, that's me.

37:09Meeks is gold and virtual stuff. That's why. That's got to be meeks. All the Louis Vuitton virtual stuff. We're just dressed different, innit? We're just different, unique. People clock the way I walk, talk. They'll be like, are you meeks? I'll be like, where, who? Him? You know what I'm saying? Yeah. Does that happen a lot? A lot. It's the way I talk. Sometimes I'll be in places. I think definitely the way you talk. And I might say, whatever. And they look up like, I'm like, oh shit, they got me now. Do you know what I'm saying? Yeah, yeah, I never understood how they got, because remember, I've not really done no interviews either.

37:36Yeah, yeah. Now I'm fucked. Everybody knows you and now I've fucked it. Everyone will be like, yo, that's it. I was watching the podcast. They're going to be like, yo, have you got Mo's number? Have you got Mo's number? Can you ring him? But like, nah, now, I don't really think we're talking, so I used to be like, how? Like from my lyrics, but it's because people say I sound how I rap and a lot of people don't sound how they rap. Yeah, that's true. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I would say you sound exactly how you rap. Do you get what I'm saying? walking one killed me. Someone said, the way you're walking.

38:05The walking one, I wouldn't have got the walking. I might have got the talking one. So let's say we was at somewhere, I don't know, is it somewhere in Manchester, yours or somewhere like that. And then I heard, if I heard you speaking at the bars, I'd be like, I'd be in mad places and I'd be on holiday. I'd be on holiday in crazy countries, Brazil, and people were like, huh? I'm like, huh? How? Mad places. And the people clap the voice and I'm like, no way. So let me ask you then, does that then make you say, you know what I might I might take this off it does sometimes it does I can't lie it does I feel like it's become my person one like it's like Batman Spiderman and for me it's like well these kids do you get what I'm saying what people go up and it's like I feel like it's become my thing man but like also I've had like plans to do it in the past where I've had different plans that that with Virgil for instance we're going to do a Louis Vuitton catwalk or I might have I was going to do something with Manchester United but then I was in a night contract and they was Adidas.

39:02So there's been little things where Top Boy also was going to do and I thought we didn't really go ahead with that. Do you get what I'm saying? Yeah, my legs was like this. I was in Dubai rehearsing and stuff for weeks and then, yeah, like, I just didn't think that was the right time. And you was going to do it with the mask on or the mask off? And I've always seen it as like, I can always use this as my next, you know, like to reinvent if I ever need a fresh start or just to, and it's like, I am getting, we're getting older and we're doing more business now and I'm more corporate now and I don't, Sometimes I do feel like I am getting to the point where I think, okay, now do you get what I'm saying?

39:35Like I'm a businessman now and to like go into my real, like to be a real entrepreneur outside of music. Like if I'm going to start expressing that side of me and like the achievements and accomplishments that I've made outside of music with the help of music, I can't necessarily go and stand on, I don't know, Forbes dinner with Bali because I just don't think it connects. Like do you get what I'm trying to say? Yeah, yeah, yeah. But then I guess the argument Would also be like From your core fans To be like No like we want you to Be in that world With With Ballyon Does that make sense Yeah maybe Because I guess there might also Be a feeling of like You know some of your core fans Listen to this being like Nah don't Don't do it Do you know what I mean Some of them say Do not do it please Please don't Take away the whole thing But it's like Maybe there's a way Where Meeks stays as Meeks And I start I start a new life as Meeks Do you get what I'm saying And Meeks is that like Like that's my That's my Oh eagle type of thing And then I come out as Who I am On another On another platform Type of thing Yeah yeah yeah You know what I'm saying Because I guess It's interesting Maybe I should have Sat here today With no mask And been like This is me You know what I'm saying But then people would say That's not him though That's not me That's not him It's the speaking mix You know like You ever see like Superman where You know it's him But he's got the glasses on You're like Bruce Wayne Nah that ain't him But you're like Take off the glasses, man Is it Bruce?

41:02No, it's not Bruce And it's Superman What's his name? Clark Kent Clark Kent Clark Kent Clark Kent Superman, yeah Bruce, man And I used to watch, you know, the TV series And I'm like, bro, this is the same guy, bro He's got glasses on, man Peter Parker At least Batman, it was covered a little bit But I said, come on, we wouldn't know this is him, man In terms of music, you said, like, working with Dave Like, you learnt a lot from working with him What was that process like, working with Dave? Because he's, you know, again, he's super talented. He can play a bunch of different instruments. But, you know, I feel like he's one of those artists that, you know, like, for example, like, he's a rapper that my mum would know.

41:42Do you know what I mean? And I feel like when artists can transcend into, I guess, mainstream consciousness and go like, oh, yeah, like, mum, oh, I know that. Yeah, yeah. You know, what was the process like working with Dave and, you know, connecting with him? amazing times really like it was in some of the best studios in london we worked a lot at abbey road studios where the beatles and that was always a feeling do you get what i'm saying yeah yeah yeah the church studio in north way like adele bees hey it's page from giggly squad and i want to let you know that if you want the newest and hottest beauty products you have to go to sephora i'm obsessed with the one size liquid blotting paper spray.

42:22It's the first of its kind blotting spray that mattifies for up to eight hours. It's unreal. There's also the Summer Friday Shade Drops SPF 50, which basically lives in my bag at this point. Oh, and the Kayali Eden plush pear smells so good. It's sweet, warm, and addictive. Like, people literally stop me and ask what perfume I'm wearing, which you know I love. So if you want the makeup, skincare, hair, and fragrance products everyone's about to be obsessed with, shop only at Sephora. You've got social dialed in. Search is doing its thing. So why do your marketing results look the same as six months ago?

42:57That's because you're fishing in the same pond as everyone else. Podcast listeners are a different audience entirely, more engaged, harder to reach through traditional channels, and ready to act when someone they trust makes a recommendation. We're Acast, and we put them right in front of you. Browse thousands of the world's leading podcasts book host reads or run your own ads and track every conversion in real time same skills you already have brand new results a cast a cast.com slash advertise always like a different a different level of like energy do you get what i'm saying some spiritual feelings for me personally do you get what i'm saying like working in churches and i'll be rolled and the first time where like they'd advise me to get into some instruments and get like the saxophone on my songs and stuff and just being obsessed with music man you know what I'm saying because this is what changed our life this is who we are and this is what we do um so like that was one of the key things from D that I'd learned obviously remember D is a bit younger than me but in music is older than me do you get what I'm saying so I'm still listening to D like he's an elder G and He's a very intellectual individual Even yesterday I'm like We need to link up It's perpetual that we do I'm like Perpetual You get what I'm saying You get what I'm saying D is deeper And I know a lot of fans will say D is older than his age You get what I'm saying Oh no massively He's picking one up like the Brits And like Aston Martin Yeah People are driving Lambos And Fingers No he's very Having met him We done Soccer Aid together And I think when I really knew He was like Don't get me wrong Not to say knew Was about his music But When you go to soccer You're just like Oh my god This person's there And that person's there Yeah yeah yeah I remember he said Because we were next door And he said Oh just to let you know I might be playing music Quite late So if you're sleeping Oh because you was in a hotel Yeah yeah You stay on Like a hotel ground And he's like You might hear some music Will I keep you up And I said No no do your thing man It's fine And he brought You was like that I want to hear it actually I know you can hear it But he had like I think he had like I want to say insomnia Because he couldn't sleep Yeah yeah Struggles to sleep Yeah, so he was like So I said so Because he was like You might hear music Because I struggle to sleep So I play music and stuff Yeah, yeah I was like, no, it's fun I'm a deep sleeper anyways Don't worry about that But I remember he brought Like a guitar with him I caught that And saw him in the back Yeah, loads of like stuff With him and stuff To still do music To practice and rehearse Amazing That's what I'm saying It's so beautiful And seeing I think whenever you see Like a musician You're like, oh, right You This craft stuff is It's not to say it's real But you're like, okay, cool It's serious Because for me When I'm a soccer creator I'm off I told everyone This is a day off I'm working But I'm not working Do you know what I mean Of course But I guess it's like Any other person's Process of like Before I get to tour Then that's when I'm in My process Locked in more Type of thing Yeah Most definitely Sometimes you have to enjoy But it's still like You're saying it's still work Yeah that's it man So your work's very fun At the same time Do you get what I'm saying So your last project That came out in what 2022 Would you say 22 I think I released true in 23 is it 23 yeah 23 i mean your newest project is going to come out like what in the next couple weeks basically it's been a three-year gap at least yeah how are you feeling now about releasing like new music because obviously you're you know you're doing podcasts and you're letting your audience know a little bit more about you um what do you feel like people can expect from this project because with that three-year gap i'm i'm guessing you got people like bro come Come on, man.

46:38When's the new music coming out? We're waiting. Do you know what I mean? So this is like long overdue. Remember, this is like a sequel to the original. And it's like really a lot of the core. It's like, I want the old Meeks back. I miss Meeks. And I just know the old Meeks, they want the real deal. And it's not watered down. I'm not this. So I used to be myself on some records. And I kind of have gone back on myself to say things that I would have wanted to say and stuff. But I now have the ability and the platform to do so. Do you get what I'm saying? Yeah, yeah, of course But as I'm working on this I'm still working on my album Which has always been like The most important thing Where That's like That's like My debut I've not released the album yet So like I've still like Still got records That I feel like Like more In depth That I've saved for the album Because it makes sense To like really explain My story or more This one like you're saying Is a lot more enjoying The music And the vibes And the rhythm Yeah, yeah, yeah, of course Not to, do you get what I'm saying?

47:41Like, oh, metaphorian How, do you get what I'm saying? It's like It's more just Enjoyment of the music And like creative freedom And artistry inside the music With my album I feel like I've really Strict myself down And I'm still sitting on them records And I just can't wait for them To hear it, to be fair Yeah, yeah On both sides of the fence Do you know what I'm saying? But things take time You know what I mean? Like even these records Remember I did the first one Seven years ago I'm releasing a second part to it, but I've always knew that I was having to do this, especially like saying, to go back over and into it, it's like I'm having to reproduce the instrumental in a similar format.

48:21Like, so say like me, certain melodies, certain the tempo, the bounce within there, the framework of it has stayed kind of similar. But now I've got new melodies, new introductions, new basses, new bass lines, things obviously have elevated musically. Yeah. And I've took that and really like gone back to it and studied it. So like if there was a drop at 30 seconds, we've kind of embodied that. Do you get what I'm saying? We've kind of used the same rhyme scheme. Can I remember? I can just write a song now. Yeah. You hear it now, cool. But the fact that I've gave myself a task homework to go back to a record and dive into the mechanisms of where it dropped and where the buildup was and we've can't stop it.

49:02It might have dropped at 45 seconds and actually tried to like emulate that within the music it was a challenge for me and I've really enjoyed the process and that's what you're going to get from Mr. Can't Stop Won't Stop and just to like and that I got the artwork drawn by me and Sloan but that's just that's just like a reflection of it's art in it and the way I've had to go on like tracing paper something but then add colour and add outlines and stars and moons and it was a wonderful creative process and I've just become more addicted to this stuff by the day, do you get what I'm saying? That's just how I'm at with it.

49:43I guess as well, it's like if you've taken the time to look back at old tracks, bring them back and what you're obviously learning as well from other musicians like a Dave or whatever where you're like, oh, maybe I can, Like you're saying Like Let's get a real live bass In it this time Right Do you know what I mean Let's give the fans this We can up the production In that And maybe let's strip this back And Do you know what I mean I guess that must be like The pleasure In Giving yourself More time In some ways You know Yeah Most definitely The time thing Has been one like And it didn't come easy Even when I've said Yeah I want to do it It's not like Can't just do it It's not one of them Because it's homework It's studying myself Going back on what did I like about that?

50:28What did I do there? Do you get what I'm saying? And then adding new flavours and new sounds to this now. Maybe hitting some melodies. Maybe I'm singing. Do you get what I'm saying? And doing things now I can experiment a little bit more. Are there any artists that you have on your bucket list that you're like, oh, that's the person that I love to work with or producers or songwriters that, you know, when you're looking at projects now and you're thinking that, like you're thinking now outside the box of like, oh, what about, you know, you're thinking of like a bass or a melody and you think of artists where you're like oh this would be a good artist to work with where you know you look at how you've got like i don't know like let's say for example a sceptre working with fred again for example you've got like this uk grime sound with this kind of yeah electronic house sounds you know i mean it was beautiful yeah is there any one that you sit there i'm like that's the person that not the person or maybe the producer even just somebody who I admire or respect in that aspect to be like so like your Drake and 40s relationship is amazing like Drake would say there's no him without 40 there's no 40 would say there's no me without Drake their relationship is beautiful and the way they work together and just the music that they do actually create obviously it's got 15 number one albums you get what I'm saying so that'd obviously be a room that I'd love to be in to fly on the wall type of thing that seems like an amazing Is that sometimes even better than wanting to work with an artist sometimes just being I guess like like you're saying and like not so much working with them but working with them in a sense of...

51:56Obviously working with them, yeah, cool, amazing. But from just looking at it as an artist and just being a bit more like, like looking at it from outside of being an artist, if I wasn't, I'd be like that process there is something that we have to admire as musicians. Do you get what I'm saying? And that relationship between the two of them and like, because they've like caved, carved away. Like when I was in school, Drake was first like fingy, but then it was like the man them were feeling it then all the gal them got onto Drake and the man them had no choice but to be like yo alright do you get what I'm saying and I'm still I feel like I'm still scared to take that risk of the vulnerability that Drake has a different level of vulnerability do you get what I'm saying yeah he will humiliate himself on a song type of thing I think I'm still building towards that yeah and that's something that I'd love to like do you get what I'm saying learn and just just like be around that do you get what I'm saying and just understand what it takes to even get your mind to that thing.

52:54I know probably it takes to be 20, 30, 40, 50 million pounds up. Then you don't give a shit what no one says. You know what I'm saying? So maybe when we're there, it might be a bit, you know what I'm saying? But yeah, man. How do you start looking at like, not so much your end in some ways, but you know, when you look at like the artist you are now and you start looking towards the future, you know whether it's the next five years 10 years and what the legacy is that you want to you know create you know is it homage to you know your uncle who kind of was the person saying you know dance and stuff you know i mean yeah and whatnot or is it you know a way where you want to look at things away from music and you want to build your your empire that is like working with like a Nike and you know brands and stuff like this or acting you know is it I guess music will always be the heart but is there like aspirations where you want to start placing your legacy or you know most definitely and I guess like you have these aspirations from when you first come in so if we're going like you know just keep it real and be like what from the start who am I as a person and what did I what I accomplished and achieved and then things change as you go along and you see what you are capable of and what you can do or you might go you might go whichever way the wind takes you but I'm going to stand on what my initial thought process and and things would be and I think like from a young age going to like this is one thing just before I forget like going to like loads of projects and skills I went to like 10 different projects and two different commercial high skills seven primary skills yeah and I struggled a little bit I always said I wanted to do something for the kids, something school-wise, education-wise, music-wise within my city of Manchester.

54:44Manchester's obviously developing a lot more now. And that's something that I've been having conversations about over the past couple of years and looked into. But that's not just something that I'm like, oh, I can do that now because I'm me. I've always said it. I've always wanted to do it. And that's from me going through it because I love school. I used to cry when I got kicked out. I didn't want to get kicked out. I was naughty, but I love school. I want to learn. Why do I want to be a project with girls with magic gloves on smoking cigarettes? I want to be in school with the girl and learning do you get what I'm saying and earning where I can sell my Lucas A there's 500 to sell Lucas A to in there there's only 10 kids in project now I've got to sell other things to them do you get what I'm saying to make up for them so like I used to get upset I wasn't happy about being kicked out and like I used to think but you put me here for being naughty now you're going to kick me out for being naughty I just need some guidance you know what I'm saying so that's like one of the main things for me I will say I've always had that in mind and that's things that I've had conversations about within recent years and still looking into and looking forward.

55:41But that'd be like one of my main things. And then the reason, did you say, like my legacy? So yeah, cool. Also like again, for them to go back from the, before I even touched on my, from my uncle, from my friend Deasy, who passed away at a young age and was a superstar, major talented Adele, showing him love. Katie B had him on stage and stuff. He's from Streets of Manchester. He did X Factor. Simon loved him and stuff. And he's a proper loyal guy And he didn't want to let his brother through So Dale never ended up continuing it Because little bro wasn't really Wasn't really cut out the same way as D was And so he's like stood on his brother's thing But like he was meant to make it for us In a different type of way And I would have I would have done Do you get what I'm saying?

56:25I would have done I'd have rolled with D and been like Yo come like Do you get what I'm saying? I'll hold the guitar Do you get what I'm saying? Like there was a super, super duper star vocal He like make a big grown man cry With his vocals I seen D die before he was 20 And that hurt me Like I thought Can we do it? I just think It's just so much And Tekka again Such a star Like Such a bright star And was meant to just like Do amazing things for us And no one out of my back Or like from where I'm from Had really done it like that And like I just wanted to just put on for us in a different type of way and just them ones that actually the musicians who actually make music for me more obviously just as my people as a whole that's like a key part to what I do but they're like the main trigger points for me to see them not succeed in what God or like actually blessed us with do you get what I'm saying and for me I feel like I was wasting time a little bit not making music in my life because I didn't start until I was 20, 21 do you get what I'm saying so it's like professional or like not professionally but actually like trying on the net and whatever and like the minute I did it kind of does the first song man it was just like second my third freestyle biggest tune it's just like because I was meant to be doing this do you get what I'm saying but just to see like a lot of my people who I loved and like looked up to from a young age not get to even make it not even just make it in life I mean didn't make it past the age of 20 that man's emotional or not even thinking about it.

58:02Do you know what I'm saying? Yeah, yeah, yeah. What, yeah. And I guess it's like you're kind of blessed in some way of like, one, you're putting where you're from on the map. Do you know what I mean? But two, it's like you are essentially like... Of the environment. Yeah, but you are living like their dream in some ways. Do you know what I mean? But through them. You know what I mean? Like we think of how many people that got to perform at the Brits and do you know what I mean? even have Virgil on speed dials you know what I mean you know what I mean but not many people get to do that in general especially from where I'm from do you get what I'm saying yeah yeah but be proud of yourself bro like you're flying the flag man do you know what I mean like not a lot of people get to even be in that conversation so yeah man you're making a lot of people proud so you got yourself bro honestly man it's a lot of good work you're doing man and thank you man You know what I mean?

59:00Thank you so much, bro. Appreciate it, man. But, bro, listen, this is... Tell us some jokes now, innit? Let me laugh, bro, because... Don't do that to me, bro. What the hell? Don't do that to me. Tell that joke, because... I said, tell us some jokes. I didn't want to tell that joke. You thought you were going to have me up in here crying, bro. I thought you were going to have me crying. Laugh them. I didn't know you were going to have me crying, man. Oh, my God. I feel like a waste, man, boy. I can't... I couldn't hold it, bro. I don't know But bro You gotta remember It's like What you're doing Is like For your city I didn't even realise That was ever gonna happen there Or come like that But bro What you're doing for your city It's like Like let's be honest man You know you think of When people talk about football As the 0-0-0-0-0-1 % Yeah bro Get to make it Just what I'm saying And the amount of people Yeah it's crazy Whose legacy You know who You know you're connected with That again You know they're smiling down You know And being like Oh bro like this is I speak to them all the time And they guide man Do you get what I'm saying And they show me to stay out Certain places Certain environment Do you get what I'm saying And trying to stay blessed Stay in the studio Do you get what I'm saying Stay off the road Because Yeah man That's just been a major part To guiding me as well And they still guide me So now Do you get what I'm saying So I try to stay close With them energies more Do you get what I'm saying You got this man My brother This has been your beginning Middle and end It's been an absolute pleasure To have you on here bro I swear to you It's been such a pleasure man Do you know what I mean I'm a fan anyway But also So I've got to like conduct a proper interview as well.

1:00:30Yeah, it was very professional, man. I felt comfortable. You made me feel super good. I watched a couple of interviews and I thought, I'm all wicked. Obviously, I'm a fan of you anyway, what you do. Thank you, my brother. I appreciate that, man. But obviously, the podcast thing is like your new thing. And I'm like, overall, that's like natural. This is the thing, man. I always wanted to make sure. Natural like this as well. Do you know what it is? It's just having these unfiltered conversations. You're going to have to conduct yourself. Do you get what I'm saying? But you've got fans as well that want to see the real you.

1:00:55Do you know what I mean? and they're only going to get that if we have these conversations you know what I mean and to honour what you do and yeah bro this is the space so bruv thank you bro keep doing what you're doing big up yourself come on bruv much love man respect bruv hey what's up thank you so much for listening to the podcast today now a lot goes in to making each episode I know you hear my voice but there's a team behind the scenes who helped make it and if you did enjoy it I'd really really appreciate if you could show the love to them by giving us five stars. And if you also have the time, please leave us a review.

1:01:29It's always appreciated and we love reading the comments. And of course, we want to keep making it better. Thank you for listening and have a great day. Peace. Hey, it's Paige from Giggly Squad. And I want to let you know that if you want the newest and hottest beauty products, you have to go to Sephora. I'm obsessed with the one size liquid blotting paper spray. It's the first of its kind blotting spray that mattifies for up to eight hours. It's unreal. there's also the summer friday shade drops spf 50 which basically lives in my bag at this point oh and the kayali eden plush pear smells so good it's sweet warm and addictive like people literally stop me and ask what perfume i'm wearing which you know i love so if you want the makeup skincare hair and fragrance products everyone's about to be obsessed with shop only at sephora