Labrinth: On the march

This article titled “Labrinth: On the march” was written by Simon Chilvers, for The Guardian on Friday 10th September 2010 23.02 UTC

‘I look like a monster, don’t I?” says musician Labrinth, posing for a shot. “Look at my big nose!” Despite this flash of doubt, Simon Cowell‘s newest recruit – the first signing to his Syco label in six years who hadn’t appeared on one of Cowell’s TV shows – seems to enjoy trying out this season’s military-inspired look.

Labrinth says he is still “a virgin to fashion”, though he arrives at the shoot in a pair of Topman denim joggers, a black body warmer, dandyish patterned socks and on-trend nerdy specs. Having produced hits for the likes of Tinie Tempah, JLS and Professor Green, Labrinth – or Lab as he’s known by his pals – knows he needs to carve an image of his own for his solo career. “I want to be different,” he says, “want to try out wild things. I just want people to see what they see in my music.” He describes one of his recent looks as “uptown French boy”. What does that look involve, exactly? “It’s boat shoes, trilby hats, that kind of stuff,” he grins.

Born in Hackney in 1989, Labrinth, aka Timothy McKenzie, comes from a large musical family. He has four brothers and four sisters, and says, “We’ve grown up with music… Both grandads are singers and musicians. My dad plays guitar, mum sings with a choir. If I didn’t do it, I’d be going against the tribe.”

He began in his brother’s home studio during his teenage years, and taught himself several instruments. His breakthrough came with Pass Out, a number one hit he wrote, produced and sang on with Tempah.

His first solo single, Let The Sun Shine, is classic pop with a dash of old-school trance and R&B vocals. The song, which he penned in his bedroom while his brother slept in their shared bunk bed, is about becoming an artist in his own right. He describes his solo sound as: “Soulful – spiritual more than anything else – and a futuristic fusion of loads of different sounds.”

Cowell has even entrusted his protege with the development of new acts – Labrinth has his own Odd Child label imprint within Cowell’s Syco stable. Is the man he refers to as “Uncle Si” a demanding boss? “He lets me get on with stuff,” Labrinth says. “He sees that I am ambitious and passionate – and that I know what I am doing.”

• Let The Sun Shine is released on 27 September

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