MNEK on writing smash hits, battling self-doubt and his solo struggles: ‘I’m a fat Black gay man. Try selling that’

The artist has written for Beyoncé and been nominated for two Grammys, yet individual success has eluded him.

Now he’s back with a new album that puts queer joy in the spotlight – and, he says, he’s finally ready to enjoy himself In a south-east London warehouse, Uzoechi Osisioma Emenike, more commonly known as MNEK, is sitting on a bench in a makeshift locker room surrounded by semi-naked men. One particularly muscular individual suggestively adjusts a jockstrap, while another, taller and toned, removes his vest before eyeing MNEK with a loaded gaze. It’s a lot of sexual tension for a Tuesday morning. But such is the life of a pop star on the set of a music video. “It is very gay, you’re not wrong there,” MNEK says, while getting his makeup done for the shoot. The video…