In Talks With Nemzzz: “When you bring a sound in that’s different, it holds a different weight”

Hailing from Gorton in Manchester, 18 year old Nemzzz is one of the most exciting talents the UK has to offer right now. Having blown up in October 2021 with the release of viral single “Elevate”, which has accumulated more than 17 million streams on Spotify alone, Nemzzz has shown no signs of slowing down this year. The release of “2MS“, which has been just as successful, proves fitting that the teenager has found no issues in adapting to the fast transition of working within a busy industry.

Now, with huge collaborations in the pipeline, and many exciting plans scheduled for this year – we sat down for a chat about how life has changed over the past 6 months, as well as the inspiration and creative process behind his success so far :

Where are you from and what was your upbringing like?

I’m from Manchester, from a small town called Gorton. To be honest it was kind of rough but not as rough as other different places in Manchester. From young I’ve always wanted to be successful, whether that be entertainment or football. It was hard still though.

What inspired you to make music?

I’ve got a musical background, so my family have always done music, mainly my Dad. My mum could make beats – but anytime I heard my Dad singing like that I’d just feel motivated.

What music did you grow up on when you were younger?

I grew up listening to Michael Jackson to be honest you know. I used to collect his albums and he was just an inspiration you know. He was just different – no one else was doing what he was doing and he was clearly standing out for it. That inspired me a lot.

What was your school experience as a whole then?

School was good to be honest, although I never went to college. I was always pretty popular but I think when I started doing music everyone was wondering what I was doing, then as more attention started coming to me through my music, more and more people started to hit me up.

I was going to ask this at the end but now seems a good time… How was your life changed in the months since Elevate dropped?

I’ve just been busy bro. Before I could chill but now I just have to be places. Obviously the attention comes with a lot more people now. People knew me before but now it’s like they know me know me.

How would you describe your music to someone who hasn’t heard it before?

It’s a mix between drill and trap, somewhere in the middle of that. I’m still trying to figure out a name to call it. It’s basically like drill but with more kicks and light hi-hats.

I’ve noticed a difference in your sound from the music you produced in 2019 to what you make now. What changed in that time frame for you to decide to switch it up?

To be honest bro, it’s just trial and error. I’ve just been trying different sounds – seeing what works for me. It got to a point where I thought I need to be different like everyone’s doing the same thing. Cause obviously you can blow off something, but if it’s the same as everyone else noones gonna really rate you that high, they just gonna rate the song init. So I feel like when you bring a sound in that’s different, it holds a different weight.

How did Elevate come about?

I just woke up one morning, went gym, came back. Went studio at like 7 o clock in the morning, and I heard the beat and was like yeah this is hard. I just started talking about my life and it took about 45 minutes to make that song to be honest.

Was it your strategy to try and make Elevate and 2MS blow on TikTok or did it come naturally?

It was natural you know bro, I don’t even like TikTok I’ll be real bro, but obviously Elevate just happened to do well on there. I just thought I might as well capitalise on it whilst it’s here, and it worked in my favour. I don’t really know how to use it bro to be honest there’s no strategy really I just post my face.

I hear you bro. I’ve seen you’ve done some performances lately – how have you found that and are there any plans for a headline or tour soon?

Yeah the performances have been alright you know, it’s just practice for when I do my own headline. I’m trynna drop a couple more singles and then an EP and then end of the year finish off with a headline in Manchester.

When you go to the studio do you find the beat then write bars or the other way round?

I find the beat first and then I just write over it in the studio. If I’m feeling the beat then the bars will be better. If the beat ain’t it then I won’t be as motivated, I go off vibes init.

“Is there anybody that you’d love to collaborate with? Let’s narrow it down to a Top 3…”

Probably Lil Baby, Central Cee and Dave bro.

I can see that happening for real. “What do you like to do outside of music bro?”

I can’t lie bro I just chill, spend time with the family. Obviously, I might play a couple games here and there but I just like chilling and living life man. Not necessarily the partying though cause that ain’t really my vibe, you know bare people who I don’t really know. I’m just laidback bro I just chill.

Thank you for taking the time bro, I appreciate it man.

Say less bro.

It is without a doubt that the rest of 2022 is going to be huge for Nemzzz, and with the teenager being so successful already, it proves to be so exciting that the only way is up for him.