New on the scene is North London’s soul singer Mega, who is sure to make an impact with the latest release of her debut single, ‘Chariot’. Mega’s sound showcases raw emotion and passion as she describes that “we can all be each other’s chariots”. Quoting Amy Winehouse and Whitney Houston as music influences, she tells Pride’s Aaliyah Harris about the ups and downs of her music journey and goals towards future collaborations.
I recently left my job… To delve into music full-time. I spent this year working as a teaching assistant and prior to that, I graduated from university with a BSc psychology degree.
At 15 years old… I was singing and a lady ran up to me to share her experience of hearing me. She was crying, she said that she had so much pain in her heart but that my voice had helped to heal her and that I should never stop singing.
My inspiration comes from… When I spend time looking at my heart. My mum sent my song ‘Chariot’ to my grandma, who speaks very little English and she said: ‘I have no idea what this song is saying but I just feel this overwhelming sense of peace.’
Soul feeds my soul… I discovered 60s, 70s and 80s soul music during my teens and everything changed for me. I felt so connected and it just made so much sense. Soul chose me.
About my latest release… ‘Chariot’ was co-written with and produced by the amazing Jonny Hockings. I stumbled across a voice memo of this beautiful, rhythmic, acoustic melody on Jonny’s phone and fell in love with it. I envisioned the creator of the world.
An artist that impacted me in my early years is… Whitney Houston. She sang directly from her heart and I have always felt every single word that she sang. She taught me so much about feeling, freedom and fearlessness.
Three albums I couldn’t live without… This week – I’ll say: Amy Winehouse, ‘Back To Black’ deluxe edition; Destiny’s Child, ‘The Writing’s On The Wall’; and Maggie Rogers, ‘Now That The Light Is Fading’ EP – although her single ‘Falling Water’ is a current favourite of mine!
When it comes to collaborations… Right now, I am interested in collaborating with other female artists, writers and producers. I am really enjoying listening to Maggie Rogers. Kendrick Lamar truly amazes me – and who doesn’t want to collaborate with Stormzy?!
The biggest highlight of my career has been… This release. I have had some vocal issues in the past that lasted a few years and I had been advised to find something else to do with my life. I almost gave up on pursuing music, so this is a very special moment for me.
My future dreams are… A project called #mychariotchallenge. This year, I am looking forward to sharing more music with the world and continuing to master my craft.
If I wasn’t a singer, I would be… A psychologist. Either in the field of counselling or criminology, that’s my second greatest passion.
Mega’s single ‘Chariot’ is out now, listen now on Spotify at [https://open.spotify.com/track/7FC9taEfKHkJs3gQdxDvJ0?si=OhuEZJBLTV-JTj4eNitSmQ]
