Mina Rose

Name, where are you from?
Mina Rose, Brockley - South East London

Describe your style in three words?
Nostalgic, Jamaican, DIY.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I wouldn’t class it as a gig but a sound system called Leviticus have a tent at a festival called Beautiful Days. I’ve been going since I was 7 and part of my love for Dub was definitely birthed there. The energy in that tent is one of a kind, you feel part of a family who all have the same love for music. One of my favourite songs they’d play every year was 'Prophecy' by Fabian. The bass line is like medicine. It was written by a woman called Fabienne Miranda and ended up being banned by the government in Jamaica for being too political.

If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
Gil Scott Heron - An absolute legend who’s poems continually inspires my writing.
Smiley Culture - Another legend but this time a local legend. My first single Lemons and Limes was a tribute to the late Smiley Culture.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
Sound System Culture/Bass Culture, Punk, Lovers Rock, Trip-Hop, Hip-Hop.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
My Great Great Great Great Aunt - Urania Lee Boswell, Queen of Kent Gypsies. She was palm reader to Queen Victoria, carried donkeys on her back and predicted both her and her husband’s deaths to the day. Imagine the conversations…

Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Opening Brixton Academy was absolutely incredible. However, there is something about intimate shows that I just love. My first headline show at Bermondsey Social Club had such a warm energy, it felt like I was part of a big family; the connection with everyone in the room was unreal. It was an amazing experience feeling so many people enjoying my music.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
My Uncle Jimmi. He was part of a House group called 100Hz with my Dad and their friend Lee Renacre. They made some incredible House tunes which should have reached a lot further than they did! The track 'Which Way (Will You Learn)' has my Dad on vocals too. Jimmi has been a massive influence and inspiration for my love of music.

Mina Rose will release her brand new track 'Run' at midnight 30th January. Following a string of singles taken from her sophomore EP 'London Burning', released in August 2018. 

Mina is part of a new generation of British artists taking full creative control, which includes directing, producing and editing all her own visuals - to read more about that click here.