Musician

Youssou N'Dour was really important to me growing up.

I definitely idolised Beyonce growing up.

Having a Top 10 record changed my life a lot, you know?

I think there's something amazing about British soul.

I think the best thing that I can do is be myself. I don't know about being a role model; I think placing that sort of title on myself is too much. It's trying to be this thing that puts loads of pressure on something.

I remember trying so hard to get into Bon Iver. I'd lie in bed listening with my eyes screwed up, like, 'This is just depressing me.'

I'm not embarrassed to say I want to be successful, but only on my terms.

All my songs are things that have happened to me.

When it's my show, I know that everybody is there to see me - but I like a challenge, and I like the fact that at festivals not everybody is there to see me, but I have the chance to convert people.

Being mainstream is fun.

I've always been sure of my vision, but I've been in meetings where men have been talking about me like I'm not there... I've been told I should be a certain way, and I wondered if that would have been the case if I was a man.

I know I love going to my gym - I have a whole list of things I love to do by myself without needing someone else to make me happy.

I don't actually get that many DMs. I tell myself that it's because guys might be intimidated, but I'm not that sure.

Gigs are my favourite thing - even the not so good ones, because you always learn something.

I am very much my own person and my own artist.

I have a lot of energy in general, and I am pretty crazy.

Yes, sharing super-personal experiences is scary, but I can only get up on stage and perform it if I really connect with the music.

I was a sensitive kid.

I put a song on Soundcloud, and Annie Mac made it record of the week, and a month later, I signed my record deal.

Growing up, I was confused about my identity: I felt like I wasn't black enough to be black, but not white enough to be white.