It’s not often that an artist begins their career on a track surrounded by legends in their field but that’s what jump started ML’s rap journey. Suspect x Lethal Bizzle x Ambush x Sneakbo x SMB on a track called ‘Is that your chick’, to be precise. Since then he’s toured radio stations dropping freestyles and released a litany of tracks and collaborations including the latest one with his Dad, Giggs, called ‘Who I am’.

Kate Vice sat down for Wordplay Magazine to have 5 Minutes with ML.

KV - You’ve been around for a time already doing your thing, but for those who don’t know, please can you introduce yourself?

ML - I’m ML, I’m a rapper. I’m kinda new to the game, I’ve been rapping for a couple of years now. The first tune I dropped and did the video for was a feature. (‘Is that your chick’). Basically, we were on my Dad’s tour, he was in one studio, we were in the other studio and we just did a tune and that was the first time people found out I was a rapper. Then I did a tune, dropped it and from there I’ve just been trying to stay consistent.

KV - Was it your dad being a rapper that inspired you or do you think you would have come to it anyway?

ML - I think I would have come to it anyway because I love music but obviously it’s still inspiration.

KV - It’s a pretty good to start dealing with all those established people?

ML - 100, 100. But it's pressure still.

KV - What do you think sets you apart from your dad?

ML - I use more autotune, he does more rap. The only difference apart from that is he’s the GOAT. But I’m gonna get there.

KV - You guys must have a great relationship?

ML - Obviously, 100%.

KV - Whose idea was it to work together?

ML - So, the tune is like 3 or 4 years old. This was when I first started rapping properly. I made the tune and then I Facetimed my Dad and he was like ‘Rah! This tune’s hard. I'm gonna hop on it!’. And a couple of months down the line we did the beat and that and he loaded it up and he was gassed, hopped on it, 2 years down the line now we’ve dropped it.

KV - And now it's doing really well?

ML - Yeah I’ve just gotta stay at it.

KV - Do you plan to make it an ongoing project with your Dad or was it a one off thing?

ML - We can chop it up whenever innit but obviously I’m dropping my project now. The song’s gonna be on there.

KV - Is it important to you to push your own identity?

ML - Not really. Like I push my own identity but I don’t really think too deep into it.

KV - Who were your musical influences growing up?

ML - In terms of my music I’m influenced by the American rappers, the Lil Durks, the Lil Baby’s. When I first got into autotune my main inspiration was Polo G. Growing up, Chicago Drill, Chief Keef, that’s what I used to rock to.

KV - Any guilty pleasures?

ML - I’m a huge Adele fan but then everyone is so it’s not really guilty. It’s music innit! Even Maroon 5, I like my man still.

KV - What gives you the best buzz, writing, recording or performing?

ML -  Recording, when I’m in the studio, that’s my favourite part. But you know once you’ve made a tune it can stay with you. You could be in a mood and you play your unreleased music and you’re like ‘Yeah! Trust me, I’m about to take over for real!’

KV - You’ve done a few collaborations so far but who would be your dream collaborator, alive or dead?

ML - 100% Biggie Smalls. I rocked with him hard growing up. I’ve always been a proper Chief Keef fan so that one has to happen.

KV - We saw you hanging out with DJ Khalid on your socials. Any business going on there?

ML - Nah just family vibes, still.

KV - Tell us about your latest release  ‘Tuna Can’?

ML - That's with my guy Snewpy from North West. It’s the first time I've linked up with someone just from rocking with them. I genuinely rock with my man’s music so I was like ‘Yo! You’re hard, let’s link’  It was hard as well cos he does the rapping and I do the wave so it was like we mixed together. So check that one out. It’s out now!

KV - What’s coming up this year?

ML - I’m dropping my mixtape, that one’s due to be mad,  and from there just non stop smoke. Loads of tunes, videos, all of that. I’m just going  to stay in  peoples’ faces. Valentine’s is the next drop, I’ve got one for the ladies.

Keep up to date with ML on Instagram: @ml_raps

Interview and pictures: @Kate Vice