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As MRCY gear up for their appearance at Latitude Festival, we sat down with lead singer Kojo to discuss the moment he fell in love with music, his live inspirations, and what he hopes the audience takes away from their set. 

It’s no secret that there is a hunger for true soul music. When we feel the absence of Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin and James Brown, we must turn to those modern voices who are keeping the genre’s spirit alive. Amongst the likes of Anderson .Paak and SAULT stand MRCY, a rising duo that uplift with their devotional sound that spans soul, funk, and R&B. 

 

Barney Lister’s eclectic analogue production and Kojo Degraft-Johnson’s velvety vocals are the building blocks of the duo’s music. The pair first met in 2021 in Barney’s Brixton studio, after he saw a video of Kojo singing on Instagram. Charged by a serendipitous energy, the pair found that they made a perfect team, revelling in the easy, organic qualities of their creative partnership. 

 

Growing up, Kojo was inspired by the music being played in his local south London church. More recently, you may have heard his vocals on viral jungle tracks or singing in the bands of Cleo Sol and Little Simz. Meanwhile, Huddersfield-born Barney is a producer well known for his collaborations with integral names such as Obongjayar, Rina Sawayama, Joy Crookes, and Olivia Dean. 

 

In 2024, they released their debut album VOLUME I, a project that is equal parts sentimental and fresh. Fast forward to now: earlier this year, they released their sophomore album VOLUME II. Fuelled by ecstasy-like harmonies and polyrhythmic grooves, the project is powered by a dancefloor focus. Utilising influences from across the globe, infusing sounds from South America and Africa, the duo’s sonic reference points are proof of their intrinsic love for music and evoking emotion. 

 

As they gear up for their appearance at Latitude Festival, we sat down with Kojo to discuss the moment he fell in love with music, who his inspirations are for live performances, and what he hopes the audience takes away from their set. 

Do you remember the moment you fell in love with music?

I don’t think I can pinpoint the exact moment I fell in love with music, to be honest. But I do remember loving to sing from a very young age – probably around three or four. It’s always felt like a natural part of who I am.

Tell us about your most recent project. Where do you feel like this is leading you next?

Volume II is a continuation of our exploration of sound within the foundations of soul. We tried to bring a bit more sonic variety whilst still staying true to what makes the MRCY sound unique. We hope we can continue to build and reach as many people with this music as possible.

Outside of music, where do you draw influence from?

We draw inspiration from our surroundings, our families, friends, day-to-day experiences, and the world around us. That includes current events, films, TV, visual art – really anything creative that sparks something. It all feeds into how we express ourselves through music.

How has the festival season been for you so far?

Our festival season kicks off with Glastonbury at the end of June, so it’s just about to begin for us. We’re really excited to be playing such an iconic festival, it feels like a big moment. From there, we’re looking forward to bringing the energy and vibe of MRCY to different cities throughout the summer.

What’s your earliest festival memory?

I’m not sure what my earliest festival memory is; it might be Love Supreme, roughly six years ago. I saw Lianne La Havas, Erykah Badu and Tom Misch, to name a few.

What can people expect from your Latitude set?

You can expect to hear Volume II live, a fun and dancey set, and honestly, some of the best vocals you’ll hear all day. We’re bringing energy, soul, and a vibe that’ll make you move. It’s going to be a good time!

Who are your inspirations when it comes to live performance?

Some of our live inspirations are, Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway, Jarrod Lawson, Michael Kiwanuka, Chronixx and Curtis Mayfield, to name a few.

Who are you most excited to see at Latitude this year and what song are you looking forward to them performing?

At Latitude we’re looking forward to seeing Leon Bridges, corto.alto, Elbow and MRCY.

What’s your ideal festival experience?

Our ideal festival experience is basically Cross the Tracks. It’s in London, so it feels close to home, and it happens at that perfect time of year: not too hot, not too cold. It’s all about live music, good energy, and a crowd that’s really there to connect with the music.

What do you hope the audience takes away from your festival set?

We hope people walk away with a deeper feel for our sound, the energy we bring and a better understanding of what MRCY is all about. Most of all, we hope they leave wanting to experience it again.

What’s next for you?

After festival season, we’re heading out on a European tour to continue pushing Volume II and to bring the live experience to new cities. We’ll also be back in the studio working on new material.

Get tickets to Latitude here now.

Listen to VOLUME 2 now: