Mpho Skeef (first name pronounced Mm’poh) is on holiday. Having been working hard recording new tracks, promoting her forthcoming EP, September’s ‘Don’t Like You’ and wowing crowds across the underground circuit, Mpho, who counts Radio 1’s Ras Kwame and Trevor Nelson among her fans, is taking a well-deserved time out.

 

The 28-year old Brixton-ite has so far this year won applause for her outstanding live performances – including making a huge impact at Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide Awards – and that on top of her music. Having provided the vocal for Bugz in the Attic’s enormously successful ‘Booty La La’, Mpho has gone from strength to strength, and her latest offering attests to that.

 

Mpho’s ‘Don’t Like You’ EP is as varied and interesting as the singer’s influences; with an obvious nod to her roots, Mpho cites the importance of African music in developing her eclectic style, as well as acknowledging those more obvious inspirations in modern music: “I’m inspired by a lot of people, from Bjork to The Neptunes to Lewis Taylor. I’m interested in people who are trying to push music in different directions. The music that has influenced me has been the music I heard growing up – a lot of African music and jazz.

 

“Then, when I was a little older, I got into hip hop and soul and funk. Plus I was a kid of the Eighties, so Prince, Shalamar and Cameo were important, as well as Depeche Mode and Kate Bush.”

 

Mpho puts her diverse tastes partially down to her background: “I come from a multicultural family and city. My influences are really quite varied.” The daughter of a black man and a white woman – an illegal mixed relationship in South Africa– she was born at the height of the struggle against apartheid. Her family moved to east London when Mpho was four. Soon afterwards the family moved again, to Brixton in South London, where Mpho still lives – with her five-year old daughter.

 

As an artist in her own right, what music does Mpho now appreciate? “Andre 3000, The Neptunes, Eska… people who aren’t afraid to push the boundaries but are still aware of their audience. Eska is amazing – that way her songs and musical sensibility are so intricate yet accessible.

 

“It’s ages since I really went out. But a good DJ should be able to introduce their audience to new sounds. Morgan, who has worked on my album, is good like that. I like ?uestlove as a DJ and producer.”

 

While Mpho’s in no hurry to complete her album, she is working on it, and the list of producers eager to collaborate with her is certainly impressive; so far she has enlisted some of the best around, including Dizzee Rascal’s DJ, Wonder, Joe Buddha, Morgan Zarate, Fusion, Zed Bias, Baby J and, of course, Bugs in the Attic.

 

So what should we expect? Well, if the ‘Don’t Like You’ EP – a mix of harmonic soul, raw and funky rock-tinged grooves, and offbeat r&b – is anything to go by, expect the unexpected: “It’s all going really well and seems to be happening organically. I want it to be successful. It would be good to show that as an artist you can just be who you are and it will work. I have a great time and am getting lots of gigs and really good press. Ooh, and the radio promo will all kick in soon as well!”

 

“I like it when an artist can bring together different musical styles and make something new and different again. That’s what I aspire to. It’s good for me to always try and be fresh and grow!” she says of her work on the as-yet untitled album. Who else would she like to work with, given the chance?

 

“SARA, Common… I would like to work more with TY too – I’ve known him since I was at school. And Eska. I’d also like to work with Matthew Herbert, and a collaboration with Coldplay would be interesting!” There goes that boundary-pushing she so admires.

 

Mpho Skeef is enthusiastic and unpretentious. Signed to the government-funded independent label Documented, she pretty much has freedom over how she pursues her goals – something she enjoys to its fullest. She is passionate about her live performance, a fact that is certainly evident when you see her on stage. What is a typical Mpho Skeef gig like?

 

“It’s all about energy,” she states. “My band are all young and extremely talented so there’s a lot of energy on stage. I like to communicate with the audience and take them on a journey. I’m looking forward to adding more theatre to the show – it’s really all about the performance for me! Before a show I just rehearse, warm up and pray – that’s it. And then it’s all good fun. Afterwards I really have to sit and calm down, and give thanks. Then sometimes it’s a party – and sometimes I’m off home to bed.”

 

How did she feel about the reaction to her performance at Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide Awards – recognition on a wide scale? Was she surprised?

“Yes, definitely! It feels good to be acknowledged for what you do! But it was a pleasant surprise.” What’s been her favourite show so far? “Ah, that’s a hard one! I'm quite self-critical, especially when it comes to the live shows. I really enjoyed my 1Xtra gig,” she says, before adding, “but I think my best is yet to come…”