Through angelic vocals and flirty lyrics, Mnelia is gently expanding the boundaries of R&B. Born Monique Amelia in 1998 to parents from Guinea-Bissau by way of The Gambia, the London singer/songwriter enrolled in piano training as an adolescent, before discovering the lyrical malleability of Frank Ocean and James Fauntleroy as a teen. She released her debut EP 2:4 in 2018, an amorous collection of songs that featured sensual production and provocative lyrics, like the Mayace-assisted “Luv”. In 2020, Mnelia dropped her follow-up EP, After 6, which saw the singer continuing to convey her emotions, as evidenced by the reflective cut “Back To You”. She would further explore her romantic endeavours on the ethereal, tongue-in-cheek 2021 single “My Bad”. Mnelia’s confident, lilting voice and dexterous approach to songwriting make her a compelling force in the R&B world. In the artist’s words: Describe one of your earliest musical memories in detail. Mum chasing me around the house trying to get my pyjamas on while I sang along to S Club 7 on the TV! Find a song of yours on Apple Music that you love and tell us what makes it special. “Say Yeah” She changed my life. Plus, I can never get bored of her, she really is that girl. What are your top 3 all-time favourite albums on Apple Music, and why? Frank Ocean, Channel ORANGE Miguel, Kaleidoscope Dream Kendrick Lamar, good kid, m.A.A.d city (Deluxe) The soundtrack to my teenage years. The most defining songs of my lifetime.