Photo Credit: Jennifer McCord
RISING STAR MEGA SHARES ‘DON’T GET TOO CLOSE’, HER FIRST NEW MUSIC OF 2023
“Mega’s journey epitomises London’s relationship with soul.” – Clash
“Hypnotic vocal range.” – Wonderland
Mega’s dazzling voice and stirring emotions takes UK soul into a new era, her empowerment, unguarded lyrics and subtle contemporary production proving the genre’s current scene with something new, but inspired by the live instrumentation of the genre’s roots. It’s a sound with a broad appeal, as evidenced by shows with artists as varied as Self Esteem, Angèle, Hozier and Nathan Rateliff, as well as airplay across Radio 1, Radio 2 and Radio 5. Fans are following for her honest, high-class talents shown with her two EPs to date – ‘Future Me’ and ‘Colour Your World’ – which have passed 55 million streams at Spotify alone.
Now Mega once again steps up with the new single ‘Don’t Get Too Close’, her first release of 2023. Expect more new music to follow soon.
‘Don’t Get Too Close’ more than lives up to Mega’s ever burgeoning reputation. Striking an optimum balance between uplifting gospel exuberance and a sprightly production with radiant pop appeal, ‘Don’t Get Too Close’ positions Mega to make much bigger strides in the months ahead. While the warmth of the song’s sound entices newcomers into her world, its lyrics affirm a powerful declaration: if Mega isn’t welcoming you in, stay well away.
Mega says, “At one point in our lives, sometimes more than often, we find ourselves in relationships which lead to thought patterns that can be deemed as quite toxic or unhealthy and this song is about protecting your energy. Protecting your energy is crucial to your mental and physical health as it is the ultimate determinant of our peace and happiness. We give a lot of ourselves away every day and often it can be difficult to remove ourselves from negative distractions or situations in our lives. ‘Don’t Get Too Close’ is an empowerment anthem, and an encouragement to continue on that journey of honouring and protecting your space and personal growth.”
Mega wrote ‘Don’t Get Too Close’ with the track’s producer Jonny Hockings, with additional production from Jojo Mukeza (Stormzy) and mixing courtesy of Nathan Boddy (PinkPantheress, Celeste, Mura Masa).
Raised in North London as part of a family with Ugandan heritage, Mega’s journey into music started in childhood. She first attended an operatic choir in Islington and relished the opportunity to perform in public, a passion that was only heightened when she joined the gospel choir at St. Mary’s Youth Club – a place where she connected with other aspiring artists such as Lil Simz and the BRIT, Ivor Novello and Mercury Prize winning producer Inflo. Not only did that take her to several of London’s most renowned venues, but it also connected her with other aspiring artists. Just as she was getting started, she suffered a huge setback when vocal problems left her unable to sing for three years. Instead she turned her attention to her studies, earning a degree in psychology which included writing a dissertation on The Unspoken Burden of Black British Women.
Her debut single ‘Chariot’ made an instant impact, leading to further support including the BRITs Sunday Spotlight, NME and The Independent. Her debut EP ‘Future Me’ arrived during lockdown, but last year’s follow-up ‘Colour My World’ provided the next step towards more regular live shows, with a sold-out headline set at Omeara arriving alongside her high-profile support slots. She credits all-time greats as inspirations, notably Amy Winehouse, Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, Lauryn Hill and Whitney Houston.
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