INTERVIEW: Blakey returns with new single “Ta Ta Ta”

Blakey has long been one of London’s most compelling voices, balancing heartfelt songwriting with a melodic fluency that’s made him a favourite across streaming platforms, radio airwaves and editorial playlists. Raised in Hackney, his work has always shined with a strong sense of emotional and geographical grounding; music that doesn’t just come from a place, but belongs to it.

With over 70 million streams to date, Blakey has been on a wildly successful journey as an artist celebrated around the world. Since linking up with fellow London-based artist JONES on the single “Prism of Love” in 2018, Blakey’s delivered an incredible catalogue of hit singles, alternate versions, remixes, EPs and full-length mixtapes over the years. Winning over fans and tastemakers, along the way he’s also collaborated with the likes of Henry Young, Denis First, Xandor and Marco Dalla Villa.

Over the years, he’s earned placements on Spotify’s New Music Friday across 11 territories, climbed Top 50 Viral charts in seven countries and received support from Apple Music and BBC Radio. Press nods from Clash, Noisey and Notion further confirmed his status as a songwriter who operates ahead of the curve. Now, following a brief hiatus from sharing his original musical vision with the world, he returns with new material and opens a completely new chapter in his artistic story.

The brand new single titled “Ta Ta Ta” serves up a slick, synth-led track that pairs the reflective magnetism of his past work with the energy of UK electronic music, a scene that, while deeply influential to him personally, has rarely figured in his previous output… until now. “Ta Ta Ta” glows with minimalist rhythm and crisp, spatial production, stripping things down without losing emotional impact. In this new sonic setting, Blakey’s vocal performance is still the anchor, but it’s now stitched more tightly into a framework of flickering synths, sharp percussive hits and a looped hook.

Launching straight into a grooving club-focused sound, the smooth pattering of percussion, sparse piano chords and pulsing bass line is topped by soulful vocal leads which bounce and roll above to cast a hypnotic soundscape that’s pop-focused, mesmeric and danceable all at once. Building with the soft bubble of synth textures which contrast the organic tones of piano, his voice glides through an atmospheric sphere to forge a truly engrossing listening experience.

His fiercely catchy songwriting shines throughout as the intricate ebb and flow of the rhythmic backdrop forms and engaging propulsion, all captured in an airy yet impactful sound design. It’s a spectacular departure from his previous work which signals a thrilling shift in sound that’s sure to charm his existing fans while introducing the world of Blakey to countless new listeners around the world.

We caught up with Blakey to find out more about his musical journey so far, his new single “Ta Ta Ta” and what he’s got lined up for the future. Check out our interview with Blakey below.

Hey Blakey, how’s things?

Things are great you know. Feeling better than ever. Ta Ta Ta has given me a new lease of life and I feel I have purpose again – no longer in the internal musical wilderness.

What’s your earliest memory of making music?

When I was about 7 years old I would mess around on the piano and come up with little ideas here and there – usually with two or three fingers but I remember singing along to those little ideas.

Which artists do you draw most inspiration from?

So varied tbh. I’m really feeling Adam port at the moment and that whole Keinemusik thing rn. Jazzy, Ckay. Massive fan of Charisse C, Raffa Guido. My favourite tune of the past few years is ‘It is what it is’ by Adekunle Gold’. Also have very big respect for Barry Can’t Swim. I’m also pretty hard into 140 stuff right now Cammy Riddem by Antconstantino pops.

How else do you find inspiration for your music?

Going out and listening to it, going to club nights – getting stuck into the scene with mates.

What do you love about the London music scene?

There’s always something on that will be 10/10, 7 days a week. So much good music from electronic to UK rap, I can’t think of another city that has that.

What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?

Well I’ve done a switch up so right now it will be dancing somewhere lovely and warm with friends as the sun sets. Maybe at Pikes or something.

Who would be your dream artist to collaborate with?

Would love to collab with Adekunle Gold.

How did you find making your new single “Ta Ta Ta”?

So easy. The hook was written in about 20 minutes. Prod took another day. It was a eureka moment for what I need to be making and doing.

What message did you want to get across with this release?

That it’s okay to change. It’s okay to switch things up. This is a pivot.

What inspired the change of direction in your sound?

I’ve always been into dance music culture. I’ve met my best friends in it, I’ve fallen in love in it. It’s always been there – for some reason Blakey always sat outside that. No idea why really looking back at it. So it was actually a very natural shift. I wish I’d done it years ago.

What’s the main thing you want people to get out of listening to your music?

Depends what era of Bllakey. Old stuff can get different things, lots of people told me my songs where like therapy – not sure if thats good or bad thing. Ta Ta Ta though I just want people to dance with friends and have fun with it. Fun Fun Fun.

What’s been your favourite live performance so far?

I sold out the Hackney Social last year which was a big deal for me. It was the first time I flirted life with all this new stuff, harder, more electronic – people were scared before the show id lost the plot but it was such a beautiful experience and went down a storm.

Who would be 3 artists to headline your dream festival? And where would it be?

Adekunle Gold, Mala, Charisse C somewhere like Outlook!

Do you have any advice for a new artist wanting to follow your footsteps?

I’m not sure at this stage my footsteps are worth following in yet – maybe one day I do have size 15s… but if I had any advice it would be just spend hours and hours making it. Day in day out. Every day. live and breath making it. The whole 10 thousand hours genius thing they say.

Finally, what do you have lined up for the rest of the year?

Right now my main focus is building love for Ta Ta Ta over the summer. Have a few more songs up my sleeve but really want to go to town with Ta Ta and get it played everywhere this summer. Got a club edit of Ta Ta Ta (my first one) that I’m finishing of thats been so much fun making. so getting that out and into DJ’s ears is essential. Most importantly is to actually start DJing properly, believe it or not I’ve never done a DJ set live shock horror. I’ve done hundreds of shows, used Ableton whilst playing they have all been quite techy but never actually DJ’ed so would love to get a few shows booked in and build that direction.

Listen to Ta Ta Ta below