January 2014 was a month in which various things happened in ‘the world at large’. But how did these things impact prolific tunesmith MNEK? Let’s find out shall we.
In January of 2014, MNEK was on the longlist for the BBC Sound Of 2014 poll.
How do you feel about lists like that?
I don’t know. It was cool, it was really nice to be on the list and acknowledged in that sense and to know that people in the industry were anticipating what I was doing. I’m not necessarily sure if it’s a thing of like people going ‘oh he was on this list though, and this has happened.' With that thing it’s actually about capitalising on the list and I didn’t really plan to be on it, it just sort of happened. I didn’t want to milk it. I wasn’t in the Top 5, so…
Also in January, recreational marijuana stores opened in Colorado, selling — among other things — chocolate truffles laced with weed.
What’s your favourite chocolate delicacy though?
When you say ‘delicacy’, do you mean like posh shit?
Just a chocolate bar really.
Alright, I’m a fan of Snickers or Reese's Pieces.
Isn’t your song ‘In Your Clouds’ about weed?
‘In Your Clouds’ is definitely about weed, but for political reasons I say it’s about escaping. (Laughs) Getting out of the world.
Michael van Gerwen won the 2014 PDC World Darts Championship in January, by defeating Peter Wright.
Do you acknowledge darts as a real sport?
I acknowledge any form of movement as a sport. I think if you’re sat on your arse all day then obviously that’s not a sport.
Have you ever played darts?
No. I lack all co-ordination.
In January, OutKast announced they were reuniting to perform at Coachella and loads of other festivals.
Have you ever done anything purely for the money?
Next question.
It happens a lot these days doesn’t it?
You know what, a lot of the stuff I’ve done, in fact about 99.9% of the stuff I’ve done, has been simply because I love it. I won’t do anything I’m not into. But I guess there are certain situations you land in that are quite lucrative but it’s not necessarily your first choice.
You’ve got to eat.
This is it.
Facepaint-advocating hip-hop morons Insane Clown Posse sued the FBI in January for classifying their fans, the Juggalos, as a gang.
How would you classify your fans?
I don’t know. I don’t think I have a fan clique you know. You know how people name their fans, I don’t think I have that yet.
What would you call them?
I don’t think I’d give them a name. I think that’s pretty lame actually. It works for some people.
The EmNecks?
The EmNecks! The Necks!
Dramatically, Google allowed Google Plus users to communicate with each other in January — even if they weren't friends.
How many true fans do you have?
I have a lot of true friends. In this industry I guess you know everyone but that doesn’t mean they’re your friends, but a lot of my friends are in the industry and I know we’ll be friends for a really long time.
Do you think it helps being friends with people in the industry because you can all sort of relate to what’s happening?
Yeah. I feel like sometimes being young but then being so sure of what I wanted to do for so long, there’s a disconnect between other people my age. So when you're friends with people your age in the industry, like a Becky Hill, like a Karma Kid, like a K Stewart, it all makes sense.
Right, get this: also in January, x‑ray astronomers found evidence of a black hole gobbling up a star at the centre of a dwarf galaxy.
Have you ever stared into the night sky and felt over-awed by how insignificant we are in the grand scheme of things?
No. I’ve just been like ‘that’s nice’. Next!
In the 11th or 12th Century some American thieves stole some sculptures from temples in India. These were returned in January of this year.
Have you ever stolen anything and then returned it?
(Thinks) Well then if you steal something and then return it it’s not stealing anymore. It’s like ‘whoops’.
Have you ever stolen anything and then felt guilty?
A few times. I think everyone’s stolen something and with me it was when I was really young. It was me not knowing right from wrong.
Was it a Snickers?
It wasn’t a Snickers bar… Actually to be fair it probably was a Snickers bar. I was a super fat kid.
During the Australian Open tennis tournament, temperatures in Melbourne reached 43.9 degrees celsius, which is literally quite hot.
What temperature are you most comfortable at?
Erm, I actually like the cold. Obviously when it’s really cold it’s like okay, can you fuck off please, but I sleep better when it’s freezing outside. I love a winter sleep.
You wear shorts a lot though. Are you quite a hot person?
I like wearing shorts. My parents are always asking me why I’m wearing shorts and I just like them. The older I get I’d like to just wear fewer clothes.
What’s next? Topless?
I’m going to the gym three times a week so you never know.
The full Usher?
Not Usher. Who do I want a body like? A mix between what I’ve got now and Flo Rida, where it’s not abs and shit but it’s a nice build. You can take off your shirt and be like ‘yeah!’.
Finally, also in January, a British photographer designed and built a drone as a low cost way of shooting nature documentaries.
If you could spy on anyone who would it be?
Beyoncé and Jay Z. I’m so intrigued to see what they’re like behind closed doors.
Thank you MNEK for that fascinating insight into your thoughts on the month of January 2014. We hope you had a satisfactory year and wish you all the very best for 2015.