METTE

For METTE, the route to music was circuitous but destined. Now, she has found herself ready to emerge with music that explores tender emotions, complex feelings, and her life's narrative.
Growing up, she railed against the small town monoculture of Alexandria, Minnesota. The daughter of two 'army brats' (both of her grandfathers served in the U.S Army), her familial home instilled in her not only a disciplined work ethic, but a passion for music. Anita Baker, James Taylor, Chaka Khan, Pink Floyd, Lauryn Hill, and The Delfonics were the soundtrack to METTE's younger years. With an eclectic musical taste, METTE began taking musical theater classes, learning to play the bassoon, and attending youth choir, where she felt the first firm draw towards performance. It quickly became clear that performing was the end game. "I didn't have the confidence to do music straight away, but dance just came more quickly to me," she says. Identifying as a Black woman of mixed-race heritage, METTE didn't see herself often mirrored in the live performance space growing up. But suddenly in 2014, with one single phone call inviting her to audition as a dancer for Pharrell, her direction started to change.

After traveling the world with Pharrell performing concerts all over the globe, METTE won the coveted starring role in the N.E.R.D and Rihanna 'Lemon' video. This opportunity hurtled her towards fame. After years of grueling touring, METTE found herself in London working on a film project and was inspired to explore her musical dreams. And then Covid hit. "I was going through something when lockdown hit. I hadn't seen my mom for 18 months, and out of my longing came a song about mothering, birthright, and her legacy… a celebration of imperishable bonds." The outcome was what would later become her single, Mama's Eyes; a track that has filled dance floors across the world with its syncopated dance beat that gradually heats up into a celestial gospel choir preaching the chorus.

METTE's music is sensual and sweaty – music to move your body to. Unrestricted by the need to align with one genre, she finds her sound at the crossroads of dance music and a myriad of possibilities. Her fans will undoubtedly want to see her dance and express herself through movement, and they can and will get that.

METTE's single 'MAMA'S EYES propelled METTE into the spotlight. The single has recently been nominated for an Ivor-Novello Award as 'Best Contemporary Song' – a testament to METTE's enduring impact. The single hit #1 in the UK Club Chart and amassed over 7 million streams. Her next single 'Van Gogh' which was co-produced by Mike Sabath (Raye, Lizzo) and Jonny Lattimer (Rina Sawayama, Joy Crookes), saw METTE make another bold leap forward on her artistic journey and reached #1 in the UK Club Chart.

However, her biggest artistic statement came with the arrival of her debut EP 'METTENARRATIVE' in 2023. "My EP is a collection of songs that light up a constellation of my artistry," says METTE. "These aural portraits seek to convey my ideals, my fantasies, and my most intimate thoughts through intersectional and multi-genre sound. Bringing this work to the world conjures the most insurmountable gratitude – I feel alive like never before. The journey to this project's completion has been nearly 5 years long….and I have no regrets for taking my time, garnering my skills, and honing my intentions." The seven track project includes previous singles 'Mama's Eyes' and 'Van Gogh', an intro track, 'METTE INTRO', as well as four new songs, 'For The People', 'Chocolate City', 'Psycho and 'Acid Rain'. Ultimately, it showcases METTE's raw vocal talent, signature catchy hooks, introspective lyricism and multifaceted artistry drawing on themes of softness, power, honesty, nobility, and vulnerability.

Towards the end of last year, METTE performed at The Fashion Awards (often hailed as the UK's Met Gala) where her magnetic presence and musical prowess took centre stage. Not stopping there, METTE captivated audiences on Jools Holland, supported Jessie Ware on her UK tour and performed a mesmerizing session on BBC Radio 1's Future Pop.

Kicking off 2024 in a similar style, METTE's trajectory is showing no signs of slowing down having been named Spotify's Pop Rising Artists To Watch, and featured in Amazon's Breakthrough UK: Artists To Watch in the 2024 line-up. METTE is currently gearing up to release her new single 'BET' on 3rd May following the success of her collaboration with Sam Gellaitry on 'Darling Drive' which received a wealth of support from Kiss FM and BBC Radio 1's Clara Amfo and Ricky Melvin & Charlie.

Later this year, METTE will also perform across The Great Escape Festival, Lighting in a Bottle, Pukkelpop, Lowlands, and Reading & Leeds.

METTE has been on a journey – and with the ability to tap into these creative outlets – she has found the true essence of herself. And not only is she dancing to that essence, she's turned it into music, too.