It’s one thing having acting credits in London’s West End. Or an Insta account with over 335K followers. Or a YouTube channel that sees over 100K subscribers checking in to watch your beauty videos. And all of the above? Pretty impressive stuff.

Except Londoner Amelia Monet has also dropped her first ever single, “Baddest” earlier this year – and all this at the age of 17. Yeah, WBU?

Her sound? An infectious brand of R&B with head-bopping grime influences. We chatted to the emerging artist below…

How did you start out making music?
Where everyone does: kind of scared/anxious of what people think of you but not necessarily caring because you love the music you make and want to show people everything even when you aren’t supposed to. It’s exciting, this is an amazing journey I’m on.

Who did you listen to growing up?
Biggie Smalls, Tupac, Faith Evans, Foxy Brown, Keyshia Cole; these are all mainly because of my mum, she’s exposed me to many genres of music which has helped me find my own sound.

What inspires your music?
I’d say Jhene Aiko. She has a massive part to do with me being able to sing the way I do.

You were the longest starring Nala in the Lion King in the West End – what do you love about performing?
Being ages 8-12 you have a lot of energy, so being in the Lion King was great for me. It was definitely one of the best experiences of my life and I will never forget it. You just feel so powerful on that stage, I can’t even describe it.

You’ve also got a huge YouTube presence and you’re really into your makeup – could you talk a little more about this? Is this something you’ll always pursue?
YouTube is like Snapchat to me, something I always use. I couldn’t really imagine my life without it, it’s gotten me out of some difficult times and helped me bounce back. 

Your hair is amazing! What do you use in it?
Anything Cantu.

At 17, you’re so young – do you feel much older than your years?
I personally do, because I had to mature for certain things in order to move along with my life i.e. my mother’s heart condition for one.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
“Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me”.

What’s next for you?
What isn’t next!