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“I’ve been living a dream! I’m now in a world that I used to think was so far and distant but it’s really at my feet right now.”

COMPLEX: You’re from Manchester, right? How was it growing up there, and how influential was your community there in informing your growth and who you are today? 

[ K S R ]: Being from Moss Side has been integral for me. My upbringing has been so different from other people, having seen some of the things I’ve seen, like friends dying, getting hurt… I’ve seen a lot but never wanted to be involved. I was always the guy that just wanted nothing else but to do music. A lot of the time I was looked at like an outcast—I was the one always singing instead of spitting—but I don’t think that hindered me in any way. It just made me want to explore the world differently. I don’t know if it would’ve happened the same way if I wasn’t from where I’m from. It really informed me and my music and my ability to find a path for myself. 

What immediately comes to your mind when you hear the name ‘Manchester’?  

Home. Nothing more, nothing less. My parents are from Tanzania but I see Manchester as my true home. Whenever I go away, I get homesick so quickly because it’s the hub. It’s a happy place. 

What would you say is unique about Manchester—both in everyday life and in terms of music?

I genuinely believe it’s our charisma. Mancunians are very different. Like, we value time so things are a little slower, very chilled, and we’re a lot friendlier [laughs]. I think that’s what makes it different from any other city. With the music, there’s such a big support system. I’ve gotten so much love from those artists that laid the groundwork for Manny, like Children Of Zeus, and we’re all getting so much attention now. We’re all willing to help one another, and the city backs all of us. It’s a wonderful scene right now.

From your perspective, how has the Manchester music scene changed since you came into the game? Has it changed at all?  

Generally, it’s harder to source the real gems. Like vocalists, for example, it’s harder to come across those truly unique voices but when you do, you want to support them as much as possible. But it’s hard because the game is so saturated and it’s hard to keep up. Maybe I’m not looking in the right places, but music is always evolving. With Manchester, it’s so diverse—we have Abnormal Sleepz, LayFullStop, IAMDDB, KinKai, and we all have unique voices. 

Growing up, who or what influenced you musically?  

From the top of my head, as a kid, I remember listening to a B2K album religiously, then there was Adele, Beyoncé, Michael Jackson, Bruno Mars. Then, for some weird reason, when I was 13, it just switched and I was listening to D’Angelo, Miguel and Etta Bond. When it came to my writing, I really studied Etta Bond and D’Angelo—they made me really want to understand how to be an artist and how to pull in the listener and sway their mood. Understanding the feelings that you’re trying to portray and executing it. 

What was the one song or album that inspired you to want to make music?  

D’Angelo’s Brown Sugar was the one that made me want to make a project and something that had a similar feel to it. Not the exact type of sound but a similar vibe to create the feeling I had when I first listened to it.

“With New Balance, it’s about being yourself. That’s what I take from the brand. They appreciate the fact that I am who I am and I’m not trying to force anything that’s not me.”

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

I couldn’t tell you. The generic answer would be that it’s very smooth, angelic and mysterious. You don’t know what you’re gonna get until you’re deep into a project, but I’d say I’m very diverse. I’m on R&B, drum & bass, funk—I’m very much vibrant. I wasn’t always confident hopping on other sounds, but hearing people respond positively has helped a lot. Now, I’m not willing to say no. I’m open to all types of vibe. 

How have you found your musical journey so far? 

I’ve been living a dream! I’m now in a world that I used to think was so far and distant but it’s really at my feet right now. With the release of Peace + Harmony, seeing everyone respond positively has been such a blessing. I don’t wanna look at anything too negatively because, at the end of the day, I’m still here. I’m still breathing. I’m able to share my music to thousands of people, do a headline show in my hometown. But at the same time, I’ve been working hard for this. 

Musically, what do you have coming up that the fans should be looking out for? 

I’ve been taking in this new Kendrick Lamar album, Mr Morale & The Big Steppers, and I’ve just gotten a rush of inspiration and creativity. So there’s definitely going to be more music—I’m working on a lot of stuff. There’s gonna be more shows as well. But I’m no real rush to release anything; I kind of just want to embrace life right now. I’ve been working really hard so I just want to hibernate and appreciate my wins. I find that hard to do, but I have to sometimes. 

Now, let’s talk style. How would you describe yours, and does it change when you’re performing?

I’m a very simplistic guy. You’ll usually catch me in a black or white tee, probably some oversized joggers or jeans, and that’s basically it. I’m not a flashy person—I’m not really into designer either. I don’t really believe in it too tough. Like, why would I spend seven bills on a hoodie or a pair of trainers? My account ain’t that big [laughs]. When I’m performing, my style definitely changes. That’s more down to how I’m feeling at any given time. As of late, I’ve been feeling the colour green a lot. I wore green trousers at my headline show with some New Balance 650s. That was the vibe.

Is there a distinct style in Manchester? If so, how would you describe it? 

You’re asking the wrong guy [laughs]. But I doubt it. I wouldn’t say there’s one way Mancunians dress. There are so many distinct styles and influence from all kinds of styles. 

Tell us about your relationship with New Balance and how it came about.

It was very natural. When I was creating Peace + Harmony, they wanted me to record visuals of the process of making a song, from writing to recording it. We used “Lily Apart”, which is already quite a deep song for me—a very personal one—but it needed to be out there. New Balance wanted to use that song [for the visuals] and everything kind of built from there.

New Balance have been making a lot of moves lately. How do you see the brand, and how does what they’re doing fit with your own values and style?  

With New Balance, it’s about being yourself. That’s what I take from the brand. They appreciate the fact that I am who I am and I’m not trying to force anything that’s not me and they encourage it, they want to see me grow. Working with them, even though they market the shoes how they do, they allow me to style the shoes in whichever way I want when I post about it and I appreciate that a lot because that doesn’t happen often at all. I love that about working with them. 

Why do you think people have gravitated to New Balance so much over the years?  

I think it’s the versatility of the shoe, seeing how often it changes and how often it fits with so many different styles. I have the 650s and I’m not even a mid guy like that, but I put them on and they go together with so many of my fits, so it boils down to the fact that the shoes can go with anything and everything. 

What are your favourite New Balance sneaker styles?  

Right now, the 650s are definitely up there, the 550s are up there too. The 2002Rs are fire! I’ve been on New Balance’s case to get me a pair of those [laughs].  

What was it like shooting this new campaign?

The shoot was a great experience, for not only myself but my sister too. Having my sister alongside me on the shoot was definitely something I wanted to do, so I’m just happy that we were able to get it done with New Balance.

Have you had any dealings with any other Grey Day talent?  

On the day of the shoot, I chopped it up with Harvey Elliott for a bit, about music and life. I gave him a vinyl for Peace + Harmony and it was a proper good conversation. 

What are your hopes and plans for the future with New Balance?  

I’d definitely love to continue working with them. They know I’m always around and open to whatever they see for me. I think they feel the same about me. 

For more info on New Balance’s Grey Day 2022, head here.