- Words Notion Staff
Riding the high of his most vulnerable release to date, ‘Sweet Love’, soul sensation N.John opens up about honest storytelling, creating music that resonates, and evolving his artistry one step at a time.
N.John’s latest track ‘Sweet Love’ is a smoky, slow-burn anthem that pushes his sound into deeper, more vulnerable territory. Mixing lo-fi electronic production with R&B textures and soulful guitar lines, it’s a track that feels both intimate and universal. The lyrics are rooted in lived experience: honest, raw, and quietly powerful.
As a multi-disciplinary artist N.John, real name Sovath Monineak, is quickly establishing himself as one of Cambodia’s most exciting new voices. Tracks like ‘I’m on My Way’ and ‘Chat Call’ have earned him millions of streams and a huge digital following, including 1.9 million on TikTok and over 61 million views on YouTube. But beyond the numbers, it’s the emotional weight of his work that resonates.
Born into a lineage of musical excellence, N.John is the son of Cambodian music icon Preap Sovath, but he’s carving out his own path. Whether he’s commanding stages across the globe or pouring his heart into a late-night recording session, he channels that legacy into something new, something relatable.
Fresh off the euphoric release of ‘Sweet Love’, we sit down with N.John to talk about the grounding power of the guitar, the art of turning everyday life into song, and why staying true to his story will always be at the heart of everything he creates.
Congratulations on the release of ‘Sweet Love’! What’s it like to have such a vulnerable track out?
It’s an honour to have this track out that can help so many people who are going through this situation.
You said that in ‘Sweet Love’ you didn’t want to make something too polished. How did you step away from perfectionism and lean into just creating?
I just allowed myself to feel all the emotions and let the music lead the way.
When did you learn guitar and how do you think it influences your creative process?
I started playing guitar when I was 13 years old, but never practised consistently. I love the guitar, but I only pick it up when there is a certain song that inspires me. The guitar allows me to find peace in the chaos and grounds me through different seasons of my life.
Who are your biggest inspirations?
Michael Jackson and James Brown.
What’s one thing about you as an artist that people wouldn’t expect?
I work hard. On average, I work 10-15 hours a day, but I always include 1 rest day a week for my mental health.
What’s your favourite thing about performing live?
Everything feels different when I perform live. I am a pretty shy person, but when I perform, I am so confident that I can do anything.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be?
Ariana Grande.
What do you hope listeners take away from your music?
I just want them to feel that everything I am singing is real from the soul. I want people to feel it’s relatable. It’s not just about what I created but about how they feel when they listen.
Who’s on your playlist at the moment?
Ariana Grande.
What’s next for N’John?
I am going to continue to work harder and try to learn more about my craft every day. My goal is to continue to be real and share my journey of life through music. Thankfully, with my O-1BVisa I am excited for some new projects I have coming up in the US.