Mei Mei

Mei Mei is an antidote to the bland, faceless singers behind some of today’s biggest streaming hits. Her addictive songs synthesise the soulful snap of ‘90s R&B, modern day afro-swing, as well as the distinctive tones of Chinese music, in a focused expression of her personal identity. “I’m half English, a quarter Caribbean, a quarter Chinese,” the 21-year-old explains. “With my music, I really want to incorporate sounds that represent me.”

Born in Huddersfield, Mei Mei (which means “beautiful” in Chinese) was always determined to be a performer. After a year studying at London’s prestigious Italia Conti performing academy, Mei Mei spent nearly two years at the BRIT school. She returned to London, attended the esteemed music school BIMM. But it turned out to be creatively stifling. “It wasn’t really for me, I was learning a lot technically, but I wasn’t having the creative space to develop as an artist.”

She linked up with Sons of Sonix (SOS) in 2017, a production duo who have masterminded hits for Ariana Grande, Stormzy, and Ty Dolla $ign. She began working between London and LA on her focused debut EP. Mei Mei’s uncompromising point of view lights up the songs of her debut EP like a solar flare. Woodwind instrumentation on “Intentions” makes a meaningful nod to her Chinese heritage, and the attitude packed future-single “No One Else” integrates a hook from one of Mei Mei’s beloved ‘90s R&B classics (Jade’s “Don’t Walk Away”), with a flirty Wretch 32 feature verse.