MPHO
MPHO is a British talent like no other. A genre-defying singer, songwriter and producer, she has enormous global crossover pop potential. Already a name to drop amongst people in the know, MPHO is set to be one of the most exciting names of 2009.
Her debut single on Parlophone/Wall of Sound, ‘Box N Locks’ is produced by acclaimed maestro, Switch. The track samples the legendary guitar hook from the Martha and the Muffins new wave hit, ‘Echo Beach’.
MPHO was born in apartheid South Africa and raised in a racially mixed family of musicians and political activists in Brixton. Her life story is as colourful as her music, but the overriding theme of both has been MPHO's determination to find her own space, to define herself on her own terms.
So right from the release of her first single she's wasting no time in blowing apart some of the stereotypes she's found most restrictive. On ‘Box N Locks’ MPHO kicks against the boxes people put her in, and the locks they tried to use to keep the lid on her talent. The remix package for the track features mixes by Armand Van Helden, Ocelot and Crazy Couzins.
MPHO’s striking debut album, ‘Pop Art’ will be out in the autumn. Co-produced and co-written by MPHO, the album features a whole host of contemporary producers and writers from Switch (MIA, Santogold), and Future Cut (Dizzee Rascal, Kate Nash, Lily Allen) to Rick Nowels (Belinda Carlisle, Andre 3000) and Rob Davis (Kylie).
Make no mistake, ‘Box N Locks’ marks the emergence of a new and very credible UK talent. By the way, her name....? It is pronounced Mmmm-poh and you’ll be hearing it everywhere!
Catch MPHO live at the following shows supporting Mr Hudson -
Tue 19 May Norwich Arts Centre
Wed 20 May Sheffield The Plug
Thu 21 May Bristol Academy 2
Sat 23 May Birmingham The Rainbow
Sun 24 May Oxford Academy 2
Tue 26 May Glasgow Nice and Sleazys
Wed 27 May Newcastle Cluny
Fri 29 May York Fibbers
Sat 30 May Nottingham Stealth
Sun 31 May Leeds Cockpit
Tue 2 June Manchester Ruby Lounge
Wed 3 June Brighton Hanbury Club
Thu 4 June Southampton Joiners
Fri 5 June Cardiff Barfly
MPHO plays London on June 18th at YOYO, Notting Hill Arts Club and will also perform at Glastonbury on June 28th in the Dance Lounge.