As 2020 finally comes to a close, we also sadly see our guest illustrator Emma McGowan leave us for bigger and brighter things. Her final Band of The Month illustration for us is of emerging UK rapper ENNY, who creates a sound that is both unique and full of sass and swag. Channelling the likes of Little Simz and Noname, and having already been praised by the likes of Loyle Carner and Jorja Smith, ENNY’s set to become one of the leading voices of the UK’s flourishing rap scene.
Check out the interview below.
Hey ENNY! Please introduce yourself to our lovely readers:
Hey I’m Enny a rapper from South East London.
How has lockdown life been treating you in London?
Lockdown life has been interesting to say the least thought I was a homebody clearly I’m not.
We fell you… What have you been doing to keep yourself entertained?
Working on music and releases has kept me busy throughout!
You recently released your – sorry not sorry – peng new single ‘Peng Black Girls’ and we just love it – how did this song come about?
The song came about very naturally I like to write lyrics as a bit of release and one day this is what happened to come out.
What advice would you give women of colour who are making their way in the music industry?
I’m very new to this industry so I’m definitely still learning how to navigate myself. But being comfortable in who you are and what you bring to the table is very important once you stand solid in that no one can take that away from you
What’s your songwriting process like?
I usually get an urge to write if I’m struck with inspiration but lately I’ve tried to push myself to just write more lyrics even nothing is to come of it.
We first featured you here on HRMNY when you released your amazing debut single ‘He’s Not Into You’, which is relatable AF. Do you find songwriting therapeutic?
Therapeutic as hell! Sometimes through writing I find out whats going on in my subconscious like I’ll look back months later at some lyrics and I’m like oh okay you were really upset about that.
Describe your sound in five words:
This something I struggle with I’m not 100% sure lol. I know one word would be London.
Who would you say are your biggest influences?
My biggest influences would be Jill Scott, J.Cole, Erykah, Kano, Daft Punk!
Are there any emerging London-based artists you’d recommend?
There are loads! The UK music scene is at its best at the moment. R.A.E , Nix Northwest, Bel Cobain, Ayeisha Raquel, Joe Beard, Keys the Prince so many to name!
You’re signed to Hackney-based label Root 73 – how did that come about?
I’m not signed to Root73 but that’s definitely the family. A beautiful community for creatives it’s very rare you find spaces like this that are really championing up and coming artist it’s special. I met Root73 through my now manager.
What are your plans for the rest of 2020 (post pandemic)?
Right now I just want to make some banging tunes, it’s been a minute.
Any final pearls of wisdom?
The doing isn’t always the hard part sometimes the getting up is. Whatever you have in your heart to do just start by getting up!
Thanks so much ENNY! x