MEKDES PRESENTING HIS MOST PERSONAL ALBUM TO DATE – “THE BOY I AM”
Mekdes is an uncompromising independent artist with complete artistic control. He releases his music himself, something that also shines through in his work as a musician and songwriter. The album is the result of three years of intense personal development and a conscious effort to challenge his own self-image and the norms he previously felt constrained by.
“The album is a bit more personal than my music has been before,” Mekdes explains, and continues: “The title came after I made the song called THE BOY I AM. The song became a sort of test of myself. I needed to break out of some norms and really feel what it was like to say certain things out loud.”
The song sparked a series of reflections that led to a new realization. For Mekdes, THE BOY I AM is not about a fixed identity but about the courage to let go of ideas about what one “should” be. “For a long time, I’ve felt trapped in a distorted image of how I should be, and changing the way I see myself has made me freer than ever,” he elaborates, adding:
“The title of the album means a lot to me, because it was the first time I cracked open the shell of that realization about my self-image – in relation to myself. It started a range of new reflections and has made me incredibly curious about who I am. Working on the album, and especially the thoughts I’ve been in, has made me feel quite free and reminded me that you can be exactly who you want to be, whenever you want to be it. I haven’t decided to do or be something different, but I have opened the door to a new side of myself.”
The album has rhythmic pop as its common foundation but stretches across afropop, R&B, soul, and a blend of electronic and acoustic elements. It also includes Mekdes’ previous single “Waiting for You,” released back in June. The song highlights another key theme in the album’s narrative: standing by oneself — even when you’re in a place where you don’t quite feel at home.
“‘Waiting For You’ is about being in situations where you might not feel safe or like you fully fit in. Instead of trying to live up to other people’s expectations, the song is about finding calm in yourself and in the people who truly have your back — and letting go of the need to be ‘the right version’,” says Mekdes. The single followed the releases “This Isn’t Cool” and “Easy,” showcasing a more vulnerable side of Mekdes’ vocals and songwriting.
With THE BOY I AM, Mekdes builds further on his musical career and development, once again proving that he has one of the country’s most iconic and distinctive voices — and that he is an exceptionally talented producer and songwriter.