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At just 22 years old, Manny rapper Nemzzz, aka Mr DND himself, has earned his spot at the top charts of British rap, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Central Cee, Travis Scott and Lil Yachty. His mixtapes Do Not Disturb and last year’s Rent’s Due not only put him on the map but also transformed the Manchester sound.
Ahead of his new mixtape Locked In, we headed up to Manny to link up with Nemzzz and chat about his favourite Jibbitz, his latest Crocs campaign “Let Them Talk” – where he reps the new Echo II – all things Manchester, and how to lock in.
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If someone is in Manchester for 24 hours, where are you sending them?
I can't lie, depends what vibe you’re on, but I’d probably send you to Deansgate. But, if you’re trying to get food, I’d send you to Ocean Dragon. It’s a Chinese in my ends, it’s in Gorton. Banging. Best Chinese ever.
Who gets more love in Manny, footballers or rappers?
Obviously, football is a big part of the community in Manchester. I think as a whole, we got Manchester United, Manchester City – the fans are crazy. [I support] United, of course.
You’re the face of the new Crocs campaign, if you could only have three Jibbitz on your Crocs, what are you choosing?
DND, that’s it. I’ve got them at home, I should’ve brought them.
Sports mode on or off?
I ain’t got them in sports mode right now, but on the regular, I’m gonna put them in sports mode.
What do people get wrong about Crocs?
I’ve never had a problem with Crocs myself. People think that you can’t swag them out and that they’re not comfortable. I go everywhere in them.
“Locked In” is coming out real soon, what song are you most excited for the fans to hear?
It’s a good question, you know. “Gass” – the one that I got with Travis [Scott], and this song called “Expansion”, I feel like it’s a real emotional song and it’s about the come up as well.
One tip to stay locked in with your goals and ambitions?
Find your purpose. Once you know what you’re here for, no one can take you off that.
Which Manchester artist doesn’t get enough love?
There’s this artist that’s called Zeddy. You lot check him out, man, Zeddy East. Yeah, he’s cold.
What’s one thing that you want people to stop saying about Nemzzz after this project?
That “I got the same flow”. Why are you lot out there saying that? Listen to the tape, shout me after.
Don’t watch what everyone else is doing.
Have you had an “I made it” moment yet?
I tell everyone this, I had this show one time in Lithuania – I didn’t think nothing of it because obviously it’s Lithuania, an Eastern European country, I’m not thinking anything of it. But, when I got there, everyone was singing my lyrics and it just surprised me. That really let me know that I was on the right path.
Outside of “Locked In”, what three Nemzzz songs deserve way more love?
I’d say this song called “Motion”, I had this on my last project, and on the project before that, this song called “Reflection”, it’s one of my favourite songs. And a third one: “Bad Decisions”.
What is the best advice you’ve gotten from a fellow artist?
Don’t watch what everyone else is doing. It doesn't matter, eyes forward.
Locked In is out now.
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