Box N Locks a bright chart missile

Up-and-coming crossover act MPHO may be new to the scene, but she is “taking no prisoners” with her debut single, “Box N Locks.” The song has been making the rounds on music news sites and taste making music blogs since its release last month and now NME has discovered it as well.

“Mongrel guest singer MPHO sticks a tuneful two fingers up to the pigeonholing of black artists with this defiant pop tune, crowing ‘bet you didn’t know I could do this too’ over a smart, bright chart missile Rihanna would adore,” writes NME. “Sassed up, taking no prisoners and based on a sample of new wave classic ‘Echo Beach’ by Martha and the Muffins, it’s (groan) box-fresh.”
MPHO, whose talents were recognized at Glastonbury when she performed several gigs there, is quickly becoming one of the acts to watch this year.

The music blog Café Maroon wrote of the single: “Artist watch damsel MPHO recently released a video for the infectious tune ‘Box N Locks.’ Honestly, Brixton’s latest pop talent grabbed our attention a few weeks back through a tip from a friend of ours. We’re expecting a huge buzz by year’s end and if her intro video was not enough, maybe the oddly used sample of Martha and the Muffins should solidify. London has added another definitive entry into the music scene and yes folks! MPHO has landed.”

There is still much to anticipate from the South African-born, London-based singer. Her debut album, Pop Art, will be released before the year is out – but even before it is, fans can check out a mixtape made by DJ Beware called the Art of Pop and featuring a sampler of five MPHO tracks.