Hailing from Los Angeles, Makhyli is a pop artist whose solo work is beginning to gather real momentum. A former member of the girl group Boys World, the musician recently decided it was time to step into her solo era - maintaining that pop core, but infusing it with dark, more vulnerable undertones.

Makhyli's latest release is a tune called I Need You (Cat and Mouse), and it's a potent blend of hip-hop and moody alt-pop. As soon as I heard it, it went straight onto my hip-hop playlist, and I also reached out to the artist to see whether she'd be keen to talk about the release, her artistry, and everything in between.

Grateful that she was up for a chat, Makhyli reflects on her early years as a musical theatre kid, why her new single means so much to her, and what she gets up to when she's not creating music.

Hi Makhyli, it's an absolute pleasure to have you here, and I can't wait to introduce you to our ever-growing audience!

Let's kick things off with an easy one...Who is Makhyli, what first drew you to music, and how did you discover your passion for it?

I was a musical theatre kid, actually, first! Being from Grand Rapids, Michigan, that’s kind of all that I had! I was a shy kid known on the planet, but I felt so connected through music. I’m really glad I had that entry point.

Now, my introduction to your sound came at the beginning of this month when you unleashed I Need You (Cat and Mouse).

It's a tune I'm finding myself constantly returning to, so I'm curious - how have you changed creatively since your debut, and what does this track say about where you are now?

Throughout my creative process, I’ve always let myself explore new heights. I never put any limits on myself or what I can create; you can definitely hear that in my discography. I love to venture and try new things. Need You is such a special song to me because it comes from a place of fear, which I feel like can be a really vulnerable place to make music from. I hope for the rest of my career to continue creating without limits.

I’m sorry to pose such a tough question so early on, but if you could choose one song of yours to skyrocket to the top of the charts and achieve massive global success, which would it be and why?

I would choose Breaking Bad. There’s something so special about it being my debut single. I feel like it really highlights my unhinged personality and is honestly such an addictive song to listen to. You can play it in the morning as a pick-me-up, a club banger; it really has no bounds.

Take us through some of your biggest musical influences.

And, just for fun, if you could pluck one song from history and add your name to it, which would it be?

I get a lot of my musical influences from people who aren’t afraid to play. Tyler, The Creator inspires me in that way. I remember Sara Bareilles was one of the first songwriters to make me cry.

How do you define "musical truth" in your work, and what does staying true to that mean for you as an artist?

I feel like artists have such a unique connection to the universe. At least speaking for myself, I feel like ideas are imported from another higher creative place. It can be so hard to “ignore” things like commercial or chart success, but I know sometimes I get ideas that might not necessarily resonate with the mainstream, but are still so important for me to get out.

German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche said, “Without music, life would be a mistake.”

What would your life look like without music, and what fills your days when you’re not busy creating?

My life without music would be like a mall without clothes. I feel like music is the thing that holds us all together. Every culture, every celebration uses music, and that just goes to show how strong it is. When I’m not creating music, I’m creating in other ways, whether that’s coming up with video concepts, choreography, or looking for inspiration on Pinterest - it’s always creative.

Many years from now, when you look back on your catalogue, what do you hope listeners will come to understand about you through your music?

I hope they understand that no matter where they come from or what they look like, they don’t have to stick in a box. Being a black woman, people automatically expect my music to sound a certain way. I hope people know whatever is inside them musically is valid.

Makhyli, it's been a real treat having you here! Thanks again for taking the time!

Before we say farewell for now, what's next on your sonic horizon, and do you have any words of wisdom you'd like to leave us with?

I’m actually working on an EP and doing more live shows. I know it’s all gonna be packed with pure energy and emotion. My nugget of wisdom is to create every day. No water can come from a faucet that’s never turned on.

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Makhyli: “My nugget of wisdom is to create every day. No water can come from a faucet that’s never turned on”

V.E.N!: “It doesn't make sense for me to create or produce against my own taste. Plus, I don't think I could pull it off”