You’re finally out of your Roc Nation contract after a lengthy legal dispute. What can we expect from your forthcoming album?
I’ve moved on to Atlantic, finally, and I’m on a great path. I’ve worked with some incredible people, like Stargate, and I’ve really taken it back into time.
Even Nile Rodgers put down some cool guitar riffs on there. I have respected musicians that I’ve loved growing up, and band members who I’ve supported on tour -- like Coldplay -- have given me advice, and now I’m putting it to good use.
What’s good is that people want to be involved, which is exciting for me; just getting back into music, which is my first love. It reminds me of who I am. While going through the transition of labels I kind of forgot that. Now I have the chance to just be free. I wrote everything on this record, it’s all live music, obviously mixed with some great beats. It’s all about melody and my love for soul and harmonies. It’s the first time I’ve ever been proud of my music.
Is there a theme to the record?
Yes: London! Being from the U.K., and having that love for grime music and English rap, the Skeptas and the Giggs of the world that we’ve got [representing for] our youth, that is very important to me. There’s a song called “I’m Not Afraid,” that talks about everything that people may think I’ve run away from. There’s a song called “Soul Survivor.” It’s not a dwelling record -- this is a happy record. It’s about breaking through. It’s like a rebirth.
More at the full interview:
http://www.billboard.com/articles/ne...lbum-interview