Mabel: How to Make Pop Hits and Reinvent Magic
In Lagos, the UK star isn’t just passing through—she’s immersing herself in the sound, the culture, and the movement of Afrobeats.
Mabel isn’t just another name on the charts; she’s got legacy in her DNA and a hunger for reinvention. When she sat across from me in Lagos, fresh off the December madness that is Detty December, she wasn’t here to posture—she was here to learn. That curiosity, that drive to get her hands dirty in the Afrobeats scene, made our conversation one for the books.
You might know her as Mabel, the UK R&B-pop sensation with the kind of smooth, sultry vocals that slip effortlessly into your playlist. From her breakout single “Finders Keepers” to her UK pop chart domination with “Don’t Call Me Up,” she’s built a career that stands tall on its own. She just dropped a track with Ghanaian singer King Promise, 'All Over You,' and if you haven’t played it yet, you’re slacking. King Promise is a king of silky, feel-good melodies, and paired with Mabel’s polished yet emotive delivery, the song is an instant vibe. For her, this collab wasn’t just a feature—it was a bridge. A way to tap into a sound that’s been calling to her for years.
And what better way to tap in than to be here? Lagos in December is a beast of its own. The streets don’t sleep, the air is thick with music, and every corner has a story waiting to be told. Mabel threw herself into it—soaking up the city, hitting the events, and most importantly, sitting down to have real conversations. With me, she spoke about how Afrobeats isn’t just a sound, but a movement, a global force that’s shifting how we define pop music. 'I don’t just want to take from it,' she told me. 'I want to understand it, be part of it, respect it.'
That level of intentionality? That’s rare. A lot of artists come in, grab a feature, shoot a vibey video, and dip. Mabel isn’t about that life. She’s here for the long run, studying the rhythm of the culture, connecting with the architects of the sound, and figuring out where she can bring her voice into the mix authentically.
Talking to Mabel felt like a conversation with an artist who knows exactly who she is but isn’t afraid to evolve. And that’s what made this sit-down so special. She’s not trying to be an outsider looking in; she’s finding her own way to contribute to a movement that’s changing the world. If 'All Over You' is just the beginning, I can’t wait to see what she does next. And knowing Mabel, she’s only getting started.