Ella Mai

It was such a culture shock for me, being plucked from this diverse neighborhood in London into Jamaica Queens. I'm in this new environment, and I had an English accent. ”

From the end of 2015 to the start of 2016, I was always at the studio with Mustard, just figuring out a sound. ”

People make careers off of Instagram. So in that sense, it's really good, and you can put yourself out there and be open. ”

To find out my song made the top 10 was honestly a dream come true. I think it's something that I've dreamed about, and anyone dreams about, their whole life. ”

Mustard believes in me so much. It's good to have a mentor that's been through it. Even though he's a producer, he's been a new artist. ”

I'm big on self-confidence. ”

I like to leave things open to interpretation. But I also like to make a point. There's two meanings behind each EP title. With 'Time,' that was 'time to move on': you know, you've been in a bad situation; this is enough. But it was also time, in my life, for introducing myself, my first project I was putting out with Mustard. A new exciting time. ”

The first time I found out that 'Boo'd Up' went platinum, I was handed the plaque. They really surprised me. I thought we were gold, and then Mustard and my managers brought the plaque to my rehearsals and told me. I was like, 'You are lying!' Like, I couldn't believe it. I'm just honored, honestly. It's a great feeling. ”

It's deeper than the music when it comes to me and Mustard. He's like a big brother, and I'm so thankful to have a mentor like him to advise me. Even though he gives me a lot of creative control, I always go to him like, 'Do you like this?' It's so cool that it's always a collaborative effort. He never makes me feel pressured or anything. ”

My mom used to play a lot of music around the house, and I think that's where I get my inspiration from. ”