Originally from Birmingham, TrueMendous spent years busking between cities before landing placements with Adidas, the FIFA 21 soundtrack, Pepsi Max, and even McVitie’s.

In 2019 TrueMendous signed to High Focus Records, becoming the first female rapper on the label’s roster. Her debut EP Huh? featuring Chemo, Illinformed and Winchester arrived in 2020, and her 17-track debut album Misdiagnosis of Chyvonne Johnson followed in 2021 full of technical wordplay so densely packed that it takes several spins to fully unpack and appreciate.

Whilst her work has always been clever and witty, her most recent album, 2025’s Break Offline, Before I Have A Breakdown Online is explicitly uncomfortable, speaking to situations that sting. TrueMendous has been able to out-rap anyone in the room for years, but this record had a different aim entirely with songs that are extremely vulnerable, asking to be felt rather than admired for their technical skill alone. Her recent headline show at The Jago in Dalston brought a bill of friends from across the soul and R&B scene, with an attentive and adoring audience beaming with respect and shouting the words right back at her. More than a technically gifted MC, TrueMendous is an artist whose vulnerable honesty has made her a firm favourite of the UK’s hip-hop scene.

Hi True! First things first, can you tell us all about your time busking before you signed to a label? Where did you frequent, and do you think more aspiring rappers should do the same to cut their teeth?

We love High Focus here at Sherwood for so many reasons. Did you feel pressure signing to the label, or was it more of a support network?

Presumably not many rappers can say they’ve collaborated with the legendary McVitie’s. How did that come about, and did you get any free biscuits?

Let’s talk about your amazing album that you put out this year. What were you hoping to achieve with Break Offline that you hadn’t done on your previous releases?

The whole album is produced by Bear, can you tell us about why that was an important decision?

What do you hope that people get from listening to the album?

Your headline show at The Jago in Dalston was wonderful, not least because of the soul and R&B acts on the bill. Can you tell our readers about the guests you invited along that evening?

Where would you rather be rapping, a sweaty venue or a street corner?

Who are you currently listening to that more people need to be talking about?

What’s coming next for TrueMendous?