Sassy New Artist MPHO supports the NSPCC

Take one woman involved with some of the biggest musical stars in Britain today, a debut single which defines her own sound, an upcoming album that does more of the same ‘Pop Art’ – and mix with her passion for ensuring young people get the best possible chance in life: Meet MPHO, the latest celebrity supporter to join the NSPCC in it’s aim of ending child cruelty in all its forms.

South-London based MPHO (pronounced MMM-POH), recently became an active supporter of the NSPCC and its work with vulnerable children and young people. Her childhood in South Africa at the height of the apartheid era that nearly blighted her life, has given her a unique perspective on the issues that can face young people and a real willingness to do what she can to spread positive messages. Her experiences in childhood mean she can relate to many of the problems faced by young people today. MPHO’s family moved from South Africa to London when she was a toddler to escape apartheid laws. When her mother and stepfather split when she was 12 years old, MPHO found herself in the role of secondary mum to her younger brother and sister. MPHO is also now a mother of two.

MPHO recently visited the NSPCC’s Street Matters project in London. The team there offers a service for young women aged between 12 – 21 years who have been sexually exploited and/or trafficked. One of the ways it helps is to provide the young women that visit access to hot meals, showers, food, clothing and practical support for the trafficked and sexually exploited young women. Of her visit, MPHO said:“How we see and treat our children is an indicator of how we see our futures. That's why I support the work the NSPCC do. It's so important, cause it takes a village to raise a child, they are all our collective responsibility.”

MPHO’s CV includes stints as a trusted backing singer for Ms Dynamite and Natasha Bedingfield as well as mentor and sounding-board for a pre-fame Adele. Her life-story is as colourful as her music, but the overriding theme of both has been MPHO’s determination to make music on her own terms without being restricted by stereotyped views of the music people expect of her. She is now set to release her own debut single ‘Box n Locks’ on the Monday 13 July 2009.

MPHO has clocked up long hours as a session singer and a music teacher but she also paints, writes poetry, and harbours ambitions as a furniture designer. Her debut single, ‘Box n Locks’, tackles some of the most frustrating stereotypes she’s found most restrictive head-on. Music was a constant presence, with both her biological father and her stepdad being professional musicians. “I love being in the studio and writing,” she says, “but I love performing.” MPHO followed secondary school with a stint at the Brits School in Croydon. “The kids who go there think it’s like Fame, she giggles. “I never really felt I fitted in and never really pushed myself.”

So while ‘Pop Art’ is striking and individual musically, it’s also representative of MPHO’s unique experiences and attitudes. “It’s funny how intertwined my music is with my politics and my upbringing,” she concludes. “I’m black, and I’m white – culturally and in my blood I’m both of those things, so why can’t I be what I am? That’s me – and my music is the same.”