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MNEK<\/a> has spoken to NME<\/em> about plans to release his first album in eight years, and revealed that it is the start of much more new material still to come.<\/p>\n The singer, songwriter and iconic record producer caught up with us at the Trans Mission show at OVO Arena Wembley<\/a> on Wednesday (March 11) \u2013 which saw nearly 10,000 fans show up in support of trans rights.<\/p>\n Organised by Olly Alexander<\/a> and Mighty Hoopla<\/a>\u2019s Glyn Fussell, the gig was a \u201cstatement that trans people are loved, valued, and celebrated\u201d and raised funds for non-profit organisations Good Law Project<\/a> and Not A Phase<\/a>.<\/p>\n MNEK was on the bill alongside the likes of Wolf Alice<\/a>, Beth Ditto<\/a>, Sugababes<\/a>, Olly Alexander, HAAi<\/a>, Jasmine.4.T<\/a>, Kae Tempest<\/a>, Kate Nash<\/a>, Adam Lambert<\/a>, Beverley Knight<\/a>, Romy<\/a>, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor<\/a>, and guest speakers on the night included Sir Ian McKellen<\/a>, Jordan Stephens<\/a>, Munroe Bergdorf, Nicola Coughlan, Zack Polanski and more.<\/p>\n Speaking to us backstage before his set, the producer \u2013 real name Uzoechi Osisioma Emenike \u2013 said that he got involved having known both Alexander and Fussell for \u201ca really long time\u201d, and wanted to support the message the show held at its core.<\/p>\n \u201cI absolutely believe that trans rights are human rights. They deserve to be acknowledged and that they deserve to feel like humans,\u201d he shared, adding that he was also eager to take part because he was feeling \u201creally excited to sing for a crowd\u201d again.<\/p>\n [Add video]<\/strong><\/p>\n Discussing the significance of events like Trans Mission in creating hope and sparking change, MNEK said: \u201cThe power of music is that it brings people together. There are so many things that are built to divide us, make us feel ostracised, and like we don\u2019t belong, but music, for me, was something that made me feel like I belonged my entire life.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe fact that I get to share it with people and with my community as a queer man, it\u2019s really beautiful and something I don\u2019t take for granted,\u201d he added, sharing that he was grateful to simply be \u201cat Wembley Arena, bringing some light and happiness to people, and saying that Trans lives matter.\u201d<\/p>\n His performance at Trans Mission took place eight years on from MNEK releasing his debut album \u2018Language<\/a>\u2019 back in 2018. In the time since, he has written songs for some of the biggest names in pop, including Dua Lipa<\/a>, RAYE<\/a>, Beyonc\u00e9<\/a>, Little Mix<\/a>, FLO<\/a>, Kylie Minogue<\/a>, and Zara Larsson<\/a>.<\/p>\n Speaking to NME<\/em>, the producer revealed that it won\u2019t be long to wait to hear new solo material, as he has recently finished his long-awaited sophomore album and is planning to share it later this year.<\/p>\n \u201cThe plan [for 2026] is more of me on stage. I\u2019m releasing an album this year and I\u2019ve just finished it, so I\u2019m really looking forward to getting the chance to just put it out there. It\u2019s been a while,\u201d he said, adding that the new record will \u201csimply be an extension of me just being a musician and putting myself out there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been writing and producing for people like FLO and Zara [Larsson, doing the] \u2018Stateside\u2019 remix with PinkPantheress<\/a>, so it\u2019s exciting to still be making music 17 years later in this industry,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen working with anyone, I give a portion of myself to help them tell their stories. And getting to help someone tell their story is something that I\u2019m really good at, but the challenge now is to be able to tell my own stories too.\u201d<\/p>\n As for whether fans will have to wait another eight years for new music after this forthcoming release, MNEK said: \u201cOh my god, that is literally the antithesis of what I want! I want to be releasing music regularly and getting a chance to connect with people who really want to hear what I have to say.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel like this next project will really be the start of that consistency. I\u2019m so excited about it. I\u2019m trying to be very cautious of how much I say, but this album is going to be very exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n Elsewhere at Trans Mission, Alexander performed tracks from his time under the Years & Years<\/a> moniker, and was introduced to the stage by Sir Ian McKellen, who recited Shakespeare\u2019s politically-charged The Strangers\u2019 Case<\/em> speech from Thomas More to the crowd.<\/p>\n Green Party leader Zack Polanski also took to the stage to encourage people to \u201cnot be distracted\u201d by those trying to antagonise the trans community, and one of the most powerful moments of the night came when Caroline Litman \u2013 the author of Her Name Is Alice<\/em> \u2013 made a moving speech in memory of her late transgender daughter, leading to a standing ovation.<\/p>\n Find out more about what went down at the show here.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n