MNEK has spoken to NME about plans to release his first album in eight years, and revealed that it is the start of much more new material still to come.
The singer, songwriter and iconic record producer caught up with us at the Trans Mission show at OVO Arena Wembley on Wednesday (March 11) – which saw nearly 10,000 fans show up in support of trans rights.
Organised by Olly Alexander and Mighty Hoopla’s Glyn Fussell, the gig was a “statement that trans people are loved, valued, and celebrated” and raised funds for non-profit organisations Good Law Project and Not A Phase.
MNEK was on the bill alongside the likes of Wolf Alice, Beth Ditto, Sugababes, Olly Alexander, HAAi, Jasmine.4.T, Kae Tempest, Kate Nash, Adam Lambert, Beverley Knight, Romy, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and guest speakers on the night included Sir Ian McKellen, Jordan Stephens, Munroe Bergdorf, Nicola Coughlan, Zack Polanski and more.
Speaking to us backstage before his set, the producer – real name Uzoechi Osisioma Emenike – said that he got involved having known both Alexander and Fussell for “a really long time”, and wanted to support the message the show held at its core.
“I absolutely believe that trans rights are human rights. They deserve to be acknowledged and that they deserve to feel like humans,” he shared, adding that he was also eager to take part because he was feeling “really excited to sing for a crowd” again.
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Discussing the significance of events like Trans Mission in creating hope and sparking change, MNEK said: “The power of music is that it brings people together. There are so many things that are built to divide us, make us feel ostracised, and like we don’t belong, but music, for me, was something that made me feel like I belonged my entire life.”
“The fact that I get to share it with people and with my community as a queer man, it’s really beautiful and something I don’t take for granted,” he added, sharing that he was grateful to simply be “at Wembley Arena, bringing some light and happiness to people, and saying that Trans lives matter.”
His performance at Trans Mission took place eight years on from MNEK releasing his debut album ‘Language’ back in 2018. In the time since, he has written songs for some of the biggest names in pop, including Dua Lipa, RAYE, Beyoncé, Little Mix, FLO, Kylie Minogue, and Zara Larsson.
Speaking to NME, the producer revealed that it won’t be long to wait to hear new solo material, as he has recently finished his long-awaited sophomore album and is planning to share it later this year.
“The plan [for 2026] is more of me on stage. I’m releasing an album this year and I’ve just finished it, so I’m really looking forward to getting the chance to just put it out there. It’s been a while,” he said, adding that the new record will “simply be an extension of me just being a musician and putting myself out there.”
“I’ve been writing and producing for people like FLO and Zara [Larsson, doing the] ‘Stateside’ remix with PinkPantheress, so it’s exciting to still be making music 17 years later in this industry,” he added.
“When working with anyone, I give a portion of myself to help them tell their stories. And getting to help someone tell their story is something that I’m really good at, but the challenge now is to be able to tell my own stories too.”
As for whether fans will have to wait another eight years for new music after this forthcoming release, MNEK said: “Oh my god, that is literally the antithesis of what I want! I want to be releasing music regularly and getting a chance to connect with people who really want to hear what I have to say.
“I feel like this next project will really be the start of that consistency. I’m so excited about it. I’m trying to be very cautious of how much I say, but this album is going to be very exciting.”
Elsewhere at Trans Mission, Alexander performed tracks from his time under the Years & Years moniker, and was introduced to the stage by Sir Ian McKellen, who recited Shakespeare’s politically-charged The Strangers’ Case speech from Thomas More to the crowd.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski also took to the stage to encourage people to “not be distracted” by those trying to antagonise the trans community, and one of the most powerful moments of the night came when Caroline Litman – the author of Her Name Is Alice – made a moving speech in memory of her late transgender daughter, leading to a standing ovation.
