Meekz: the masked Mancunian rapper lets his guard down

Traditionally, Manchester hasn’t always been viewed as a major UK rap hub – but that has all changed in recent years with the success stories of Bugzy Malone, Aitch and recent NME Cover star Nemzzz. Meekz has joined the ranks too, swiftly carving out his own lane with his raw storytelling. From behind a mask, the performer gives an introspective view of a world that transcends his humble beginnings up north. He grew up on the unapologetic stylings of southern US hip-hop, citing No Limit soldiers C Murda and Master P as a few of his influences. But don’t get it twisted: Meekz isn’t “going to come with my hat backwards and a boombox on my back”.

Meekz is also heavily inspired by seminal names of the UK rap scene: Tinie Tempah, Skepta, Chipmunk – but now, it’s his time to become a guiding light for the next generation of rappers from across the country. “It was never cool to rap from my city,” Meekz tells NME over Zoom. “There was no respect for artists because no one came from my area. I didn’t think it was possible. I’ve just proven to a lot of kids that it can actually be done.”

• READ MORE: Meekz – ‘Respect The Come Up’ review: an assured artistic leap forward

Meekz has kept his heart on his sleeve ever since he dropped his ‘Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop’ EP in 2020. When he released his debut mixtape ‘Respect The Come Up’ in 2022, he cemented his place in the rapidly evolving scene, as well as garnering co-signs from Dave and Central Cee. On his tracks, his cheeky wordplay elevates a candid approach to gangster rap.

Now, the 27-year-old has dropped follow-up ‘Tru’, a project that has allowed him to “see a bit clearer”, he tells us. With this release, Meekz hopes to prove he can make “art that can be appreciated down to its roots; the lyrics, the instrumentals, the storytelling”.

After an eventful 2023 in which he smashed various Nike campaigns (including one with superstar footballer Marcus Rashford), a European tour and his Glastonbury debut, Meekz talks to NME about the evolution of UK rap and the “rewarding” creative process behind ‘Tru’.

NME: What was your mission with ‘Tru’?

Meekz: “‘Tru’ is a true body of work. It’s me being true to myself, instead of worrying about what the fans want, what the label wants, what the industry wants. It’s more about what’s needed and me being Meekz.

“I got ‘True’ tattooed on the left side of my body at like 14, 15 years of age. I listen to a lot of old-school rap like Master P and C Murda and they used to say [they were] ‘True to the game’. My album’s name is actually tattooed on my body too – I’m working on that now.”

Why is storytelling so important to you?

“I’m a big believer in sticking to the concept, naturally, without trying. I don’t try to question where I go as an artist. ‘Tru’ is one of the most consistent, consecutive bodies of work that I’ve done myself, even in general. You don’t really get that in today’s day and age. If it was any other artist, I think they’d be going up for a Mercury Award. I just hope that it gets the respect that it will be there.”

Why are there no features on the project?

“I’ve probably turned down every feature you could imagine. I’ve never asked anyone for a feature either. I don’t know, I’m just a bit introverted. I’m a rubbish communicator, so working with new sounds and experimenting [on ‘Tru’] – I felt like this was a lane I wanted to cement. It’s my story, it’s my journey. Someone can come on my song and say something that is not true to me – I appreciate it, but this is true to me.”

“On ‘Manny’, I needed to let people know that this is where I’m from”

But you managed to get Dave and Central Cee to feature on ‘Respect The Come Up’…

“I didn’t wanna put Cench and Dave on the tape because I didn’t want people to say I needed them. Some people on the team were like, ‘Are you crazy?’ [But, the reason they’re on there] wasn’t because of who they are, what they are. It was because the music was amazing. Dave actually did two to three versions of his verses for me and changed them two or three times, and I think I ended up going back to the original. I had Burna Boy calling me to be on ‘Respect The Come Up’. It all came from me being me and doing my own thing.”

“You get to the top of the mountain – like you’re saying Cench and Dave are some of the biggest artists in the world – sometimes you’re at the bottom of another one. So I just got to throw my backpack on, lace up my boots and go again.”

Since that record, you’ve blown up. Do you think you’re earning some stripes in the UK rap scene?

“There’s a lot of rappers that have copped my style and videos, but it can be a respectful thing. Jay-Z said something like, ‘You’re not a superstar unless people want to be like you, kids want to dress like you and talk like you’. I’ve had kids go to school as me for World Book Day. I think it’s an amazing thing and I’m in an amazing position. It can be more of a respect thing than it being as cocky and cheeky as it sounds. I’m admired and inspired by them.”

You seem quite humble about your success…

“I think there has to be [a level of cockiness] in rap. Man’s the first to do this for Manchester. I won’t say [ego]’s a bad thing – what if nobody wanted to be like you? No one copied you, no one wanted to dress like you – then you got to be worried. I don’t want people to stop [being braggadocious], but I just want to show appreciation for the love I do get. I’m not a hater.”

Manchester’s rap scene has been on the rise lately. How do you feel about that?

“There haven’t been any rappers who have made it out of here. You’ve obviously got Bugzy [Malone] and Aitch, but they’re grime artists to me.

“It’s amazing that a lot of people have blown up from here now. Two years ago, Nemzzz would send me a new song every week, like ‘Share it’. This kid doesn’t know that he didn’t need me to share it to do his thing. It’s sick to see where he’s come from. I’ve given him his first Lamborghini to take pictures in the estate. He’s in the back of my videos just there as a kid and now he’s big.

“On [‘Tru’], I’ve got ‘Manny’, which reminds me of [Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’] ‘Empire State of Mind’ and [Ja Rule and Fat Joe’s] ‘New York’. My city doesn’t have an anthem. There may be possibilities of a remix, but I just felt that I needed to let people know that this is how I’m coming and this is where I’m from.”

Why did you start wearing a mask?

“I don’t really like to say I wear a mask or balaclava, I like to say I hide my face. I wear a pink mask because I don’t want it to look like this ghetto gangster rapper with a black bally on. In my own past life, I used to buy ballys every other week to… let’s not get into it, but when I used to wear them, you’d actually get arrested just for wearing one. So I think it’s crazy how far it’s come.

“I’ve made it cute, man. I like to wear white ones, pink ones, red ones – because that’s my smile. If I put a bright mask on, I’m smiling underneath. Now it’s just my character, my persona. At first, I wanted people to take my music in and not be distracted by how sexy I am. I’m going to take everyone’s girlfriend – I’m already taking all the fans! I’m already one of the greatest to rap, I don’t wanna take everyone’s gyal as well.”

You performed at the 2022 BRIT Awards with Dave – how was that?

“The mandem closed the show after Ed Sheeran and Adele! Ed and Adele warmed up the stage for the mandem. I had my missus in the crowd crying. My grandma’s never phoned me and said she’s proud of me, that’s the first time she ever said that. Sometimes, I have to ask myself, ‘Why me?’ But, I know it’s God. ‘Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop’ helped a lot of artists get through a hard time, that’s why they show me love. For me to be there, [I thought] ‘Where do I fit in?’ but I remember that I’ve done what nobody else has ever done.”

What do you hope is next for you?

“It’s just embedded in my DNA to be true. I would have moved into other markets, for example, America. I would have some great stories from doing an arena tour. I would get some appreciation. It’ll be my name up there and I’ll get the respect I deserve. Maybe, I’ll get video of the year and I’ll get some awards for these tapes and bodies of work. The work that’s gone into my music and the level of production is up there with some of the best – Kanye ain’t got shit on me… joking! In all honesty, hopefully, I’m still here in 10 years.”

Meekz’ new mixtape ‘Tru’ is out now

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