BRITISH singer Loick Essien releases his new single How We Roll this week.
Hailing from west London, the 20-year-old vocalist rose to prominence with his club tracks Stuttering (featuring N-Dubz), and Love Drunk, and proved that he is a vocal talent to be reckoned with.
Here, the rising star, whose French first name is pronounced ‘low-eek’, tells Davina Hamilton about making his mark in the industry and having a slight touch of OCD!
How would you say your career has been going so far?
It’s going really well. I’m really happy with the way my career is steadily building. I could’ve done a lot of things differently and positioned myself to have number one hits or top 10 hits from the very start.
I could’ve changed my path or worked with people just because they’re hot right now. But I’m an artist that wants to build steadily, continue to grow and still be around in years to come.
Who are some of your musical inspirations?
Usher, Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake – so many people. A lot of older soul stars too like Donnie Hathaway, Alexander O’Neal and Stevie Wonder.
There aren’t an abundance of black British male singers enjoying prominence at the moment. Do you feel you can fill that void?
Definitely. I know there are a lot of other up and coming artists and I think we’d all be lying if we said we didn’t want that spot. So I’m definitely working hard to try and go for that spot and if I get it, I want to maintain it. That’s why doing the groundwork is important to me.
What would you be doing if you weren’t doing music?
I haven’t got a clue, because music is kind of all I know. I like cleaning, so I might have done something along that line! I think I’ve got a touch of OCD (obsessive, compulsive disorder) – not to a crazy extent! But I definitely like to take care of my stuff and I take pride in things that are mine.
That sounds like a trait that will stand you in good stead with the ladies…
[Laughs] I hope so! I don’t have a girlfriend at the moment though.
Do you have a long-term career plan or do you take things day by day?
I do have a plan, in that I want to have certain things achieved by a certain time. But really, I take things day by day and try to make wise decisions that will allow me to achieve my long-term goals.
What are your hopes for the foreseeable future?
I just want How We Roll to put me in a position where people will be aware that my album Identity is coming. Even if people just take one listen to the album, it will mean I would’ve created enough awareness of myself. I’m really proud of the album so I hope it’s well-received.
How We Roll is out on July 3 through RCA/Sony