Mabel, the daughter of renowned musician Neneh Cherry, has opened up about the significant challenges she has faced throughout her music career. Despite achieving chart success with six Top Ten hits, including her breakout single “Finders Keepers,” Mabel revealed the immense pressure and lack of support she experienced within the industry. She described a constant battle to maintain her artistic identity, feeling pushed towards generic pop sounds and criticized for not replicating her mother’s unique style. The lack of genuine care and direction, coupled with the relentless scrutiny of social media, led her to seek therapy and medication. Mabel expressed uncertainty about how long she can continue fighting this uphill battle, highlighting a concerning lack of duty of care within the industry, particularly for young female artists.
A key issue Mabel raised is the pressure to conform to pre-existing molds, often based on the success of other female artists. This pressure, she argues, stifles creativity and individuality, leading to accusations of being “generic” while simultaneously receiving no guidance from those who placed her in that position. The constant judgment and comparisons to her iconic mother added another layer of complexity to her struggles, making it difficult to establish her own distinct identity within the music landscape. The experience has left her feeling emotionally drained and questioning her future in the industry, despite her deep passion for music.
Amidst the turmoil of her professional life, Mabel has found solace in her relationship with her fiancé, Preye Crooks, son of former Tottenham Hotspur footballer Garth Crooks. Their relationship, however, wasn’t an instant fairytale. Initially, Mabel perceived Preye’s kindness and normalcy as suspicious, a stark contrast to the emotionally unavailable and often deceitful partners she had encountered in the past. Her previous experiences, involving secret girlfriends and children, had conditioned her to expect the worst from romantic relationships.
Over time, Mabel recognized the genuine nature of Preye’s affection and embraced the stability he offered. Now engaged, they are planning their wedding, potentially leveraging Garth Crooks’ OBE status to secure a prestigious venue like St. Paul’s Cathedral. This personal happiness provides a counterpoint to the professional struggles she continues to navigate. The contrast highlights the importance of finding support systems outside of a demanding and often unforgiving industry.
Other music news includes updates on various artists and projects. Tom Grennan’s cover of “The Best A Man Can Get” for Gillette has become a fan favorite, prompting the creation of a retro football jersey to raise funds for the charity Football Beyond Borders. Actress Phoebe Dynevor, known for her role in “Bridgerton,” showcased a striking fashion choice at a film screening but revealed she has not been invited back for the show’s fourth season. Simon Cowell’s new talent show, a search for the UK’s next boyband, has been delayed until autumn 2025. He aims for perfection in the project, which has seen over 1,000 hopefuls audition.
Aitch, the Mancunian rapper, released a new track, “Raving In The Studio,” featuring a sample of Gorillaz’s “Feel Good Inc.” with Damon Albarn’s blessing. Kylie Minogue unveiled a new hairstyle and released a remixed version of “Someone For Us” in anticipation of her upcoming Tension tour, starting in Perth and continuing across Asia, North America, Europe, and the UK. The Rolling Stones are rumored to be planning a European tour starting in Barcelona, potentially kicking off at the renovated Spotify Camp Nou stadium. Finally, despite a relatively quiet year, Stormzy’s financial reports reveal a £7.6 million fortune, suggesting significant earnings and hinting at a possible new album release following his 2022 album and subsequent return to the studio.
