Inimitable grime artist, Meridian Dan, shares his musical firsts, from being inspired by his English teacher to producing songs with his best mate.

The legendary grime artist Meridian Dan is making a comeback. 2021 has already seen his hit single “Joe Pesci” championed on DJ Target 1Xtra First Play Thursday, after re-establishing himself on the grime circuit with “Teachers Pets”. His latest SHY FX produced “Doughnuts” is deeply felt and undeniably catchy.

 

2014 was when the Tottenham local officially bounced onto the scene with “German Whip”, a collab with Big H and JME. His earlier appearances included Skepta’s “Private Caller” in 2004, and so the artist has already long been embedded in the UK grime landscape – but “German Whip” was the push Meridian Dan needed to achieve full recognition.

 

A trio of MOBO Awards nominations ensued for Best Grime, Best Song, and Best Newcomer categories. His debut also climbed to 13 in the UK singles charts. A member of the formidable Bloodline collective alongside President T, Skepta, and JME, he later kickstarted the Meridian Crew who had a mammoth role in bringing grime to the masses.

 

Celebrating the release of his latest single “Doughnuts” and marking his return, Meridian Dan has exclusively shared his musical firsts with Notion – from owning a drum from before he could remember to catching a live Prince performance at a party.

First song you ever made?

A song called “People You Ready”, produced by my best friend Moezy  – an original Meridian Crew member.

First song you released officially?

“People You Ready?”.

First CD or record you owned?

Fugees – ‘The Score’.

First time you realised you wanted to be an artist?

Aged 13 when I was trying to become a DJ but realised I was much better with words – big up my English teacher, Miss White.

First gig and first festival you went to? And the first ones you performed at?

First festival I went to was Wireless 2012, then Wireless 2013 – I didn’t have a ticket so I jumped over the fence both years.

The next year I was booked to perform and it had been moved from the West End to Finsbury Park.

First instrument you owned?

I think I have always had a drum.

First time you felt like giving up?

Give up? I have times where I dont want to write music so much but I think it’s something I do in one way or another for life.

First time you felt starstruck?

I was at a party and Prince performed. By far the biggest star I’ve ever met.

First time you heard your song playing somewhere?

First time I heard my song playing by chance was when Annie Mac played “German Whip” one night on Radio 1.