We always look for inspiration, someone to look up to that has set an example we can learn from. But with that comes pressure, a strong will to be perfect like a well-known influencer you follow on social media. But what is the reality behind these perfect people we admire so much? To be honest, I fell for it growing up but as I got older I was more inspired by real stories, transparent artists and honest human beings. That is what makes me relate the most and feel understood on a deeper level. Someone I discovered and learned to admire a lot is Mabel McVey. It might just be the fact that we were born the same year that created that connection, but I believe it’s the vulnerability she shows and the real emotions and true stories she tells through the lyrics of her successful pop hits. So what is it really that makes the girl from West London so special?
The singer, songwriter and full-on entertainer has been under the British pop music radar for some time now, mostly known for her first UK top 10 single Finders Keepers, the radio mega hit Don’t call me up and for being on the cover of the British GQ magazine in 2019. Coming from a very musical family, Mabel has found her own place in the entertainment industry and was honored as the Best British Female Solo Artist at the 2020 Brit Awards. A special honor, 30 years after her mum Swedish singer-songwriter Neneh Cherry received two of her own. How special is that? But being in the spotlight hasn’t been easy for the 25 year old.
In a 2019 released Girls Talk podcast Mabel talked about how she deleted her instagram account in her teenage years, but had to get back on it after signing her record deal to promote her work. She mentioned that even when there are 100 good comments, there just has to be one bad one and she starts doubting herself. I think I speak for a lot of us when I say that I can relate to that. What makes her stand out as an empowering female artist in the music industry is that admirable transparency, opening up about mental health issues and dealing with anxiety. I listened to her conversation with Munroe Bergdorf on her The Way We Are podcast a while ago about the struggles Mabel had and how she is glad people have started to talk about the realness of anxiety.
“It’s been such a process. In general, over the last few years, people have started to talk about it more. But I remember when I was younger nobody really did, and I wish now that someone had just turned around and said “I feel like this sometimes”, Mabel explained. “There was this stigma around it, and there still is in many ways. But just talking about it has made such a difference.”
And today, Mabel is that honest and open person she was looking for to young girls who look up to her. That for me makes a great artist and powerful woman. Having the ability to help others through not just your musical work, but the way you decide to present yourself and share even the most vulnerable parts of your story is truly remarkable. Her parents might have set an example for her to follow and have helped her get into the music industry, but she will stay and keep proving that she is more than just the daughter of. Not only is she an inspiration to other young female artists, but she makes mental health issues real by speaking up about it. One thing she said on the The Way We Are podcast stuck with me. Mabel explained:
“The voice is still there. But now it’s like okay, I hear you, I see you, but you’re not in the driver’s seat. I’m driving the car and you’re welcome on the journey. You can sit in the backseat, I respect that, but you’re not driving this car anymore. Trying to force it out and saying ‘no, this isn’t happening’ doesn’t work – that voice is going to come back every now and again. But it’s like hi, nice to see you. You sit in the back, me and positivity are in the front.”
Right when the pandemic hit, she was doubting herself and letting that voice be in the driver’s seat. Instead of letting it take over, she used that downtime in lockdown to get to know herself again and reactivate that confidence within. And when she brought that to the studio, that’s when she did her best work. Having someone to look up to who isn’t pretending to be perfect and living her best life 24/7 shows especially young people that it is OK to not be ok sometimes. Especially her song OK (Anxiety Anthem) has definitely given her fans lyrics to relate to and a song to play during those times of self-doubt and insecurity. Speaking from personal experience, playing it helped me many times and it surely did make me feel much stronger and most importantly understood. And that is what music is supposed to do.
Being a fan of Mabel’s for a few years now and attending my last pre-pandemic concert during her High Expectations Tour in 2020, I have not just witnessed her musical talent, but have seen a young woman so proudly embracing her inner light on stage. It genuinely made me love and appreciate her even more and has shown me that there is so much more to an artist than you can read in the comments on social media or see through media reporting. In my personal opinion, Mabel is one of the most underrated artists and deserves more respect and recognition for not just her artistic work, but for who she is and what she represents. Born in Spain, raised in Sweden and starting her career in London, Mabel represents diversity and surely stands out in our generation. Seeing someone my age succeed in all kinds of ways through her music, building and creating her own brand and empire is inspiring. And I am confident that she will continue embracing her inner light, sharing her experiences and good artistic work while paving the way in so many ways. Mabel didn’t just have an impact on people like me and our generation, but has set a great example for young women who just needed a sister they can sincerely relate to. Like Serena Williams once said:
“The success of every woman should be the inspiration to another. We should raise each other up. Make sure you’re very courageous: be strong, be extremely kind, and above all be humble.”
ROARA Magazine 