At 19-years-old Kieran Alleyne has been hailed as the UK’s answer to Chris Brown.

Following the release of his powerhouse single ‘Runnin Low’ he returns with his debut EP ‘Breaking Good’, set to bedazzle you with an impressive repertoire of sweet vocals.

This triple threat of a Leicester kid is about to blow, and I’m going to be here along with over 20,000 of his YouTube subscribers to see it!

Skool Girls I give you Kieran Alleyne…

 

It’s been said that you are well on your way to becoming a UK talent to be reckoned with (No pressure!). How is life in the music spotlight so far?
I am having the time of my life, doing what I love and introducing the world to my music. But at the same time it’s tough because of the pressure especially being an R&B act in the UK as the genre isn’t as mainstream here as it is in other parts of the world. But I have never been one to shy away from a little grind so got I have my head down and I’m working my hardest. I am loving every minute of this journey.

Talk me through how you were first discovered?
When I was 13 an amazing opportunity came my way, my older sister convinced me to audition to play little Michael in the west end production of Thriller Live the Musical. I ended up being offered the part and started performing on the west end doing lots of shows a week. Max Gousse (Beyoncé’s former Artist & Repetoire - A&R) was in town with her at the time and came to see the show. After watching the show he got in touch and we started talking about my career, he signed me and we have been working together ever since.

After being spotted you were flown out to the US. How did working in The States compare to your home-town Leicester?
Ha! As you can imagine it is a completely different world to Leicester. It’s a different lifestyle over there and I really a enjoyed living and working out there. I am influenced by the sound and fashion and culture from the US, so I had fun being and working out there with producers and songwriters.

Already you have worked with some of the most influential people in music including DJ Mustard and Rico Love. What was the experience like?
Unreal! To think that a kid from Nottingham/Leicester could be working with some of the biggest people out there at the minute is just mind blowing. I have tried to learn as much as I can from them. For example, Rico Love has taught me one of the most valuable lessons any one has taught me about my writing, which is don’t try and find the most complicated way to write something, just say it how it is but be smart with it. It’s really had an impact!

You are just as popular through your YouTube channel. How useful has this been in building your platform?
Massively useful. For people to be able to get an insight into my music, what I like, what I am listening to and my arrangements all from their own home or phone all over the world, it’s great. It gives me a chance to really give back to my followers and give them a taste of what I am about without necessarily needing to travel to come see me at a show somewhere. Although, when I do have a show make sure you come out to support! Haha.

“For people to be able to get an insight into my music, what I like, what I am listening to and my arrangements all from their own home or phone all over the world, it’s great…”

Now for the real juice! You have just dropped your new EP. How did you come up with the name?
That’s so funny and a little random. As we were recording the tracks for the EP I started to get into Breaking Bad. I’m a little late to the party but I wanted to save it until the hype died down a bit. Anyway I was obsessed with the show, constantly watching it in the studio at home, on the train back to Leicester, everywhere!  So one day I was playing off words and ‘Breaking Good’popped into my head and I loved it. I shared it with the rest of the team and luckily, everyone liked it too.

Can we expect any special collaborations on the EP?
Not on this EP. I want to save them for my upcoming album.

Previously you have done covers for hits such as John Legend‘s ‘All of Me’ and Justin Bieber‘s ‘All that Matters’ which were both a success. Is there anything you are keen to experiment with in your music?
I would like to take different genres and re work them, like take a really big house track and change it to an R&B arrangement or even a country song. I am just keen to mix up anything and everything!

Who are your top three musical influences and why?
There are so many. For music, definitely Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder. These two have really helped me find my voice and my love for singing. I like both of their dedication to music, their grind and their talent! Without them I don’t think I would be as in love with music as I am. For dancing it’s got to be Justin Timberlake. After watching his Future Sex Love Sounds tour DVD I was inspired to start learning how to dance.

What’s the most extreme thing you want to try in your lifetime?
Hmmm either zip lining across a cliff or free falling somewhere incredible like Australia or Africa.

What advice can you give to a Skool Girl?
Always be yourself, don’t try and be someone you’re not because of peer pressure and friends, because life changes. Always surround yourself with people that love you for you and always stay true to yourself. Don’t be afraid to walk the path alone. Someone, somewhere thinks you are amazing and so do I.