"I am the first person in my bloodline to ever see my name beside Michael Jackson" - Irish enigma F3miii is your new favourite superstar

The energy around F3miii right now is spellbindingly infectious.  

Coming off the back of his first Top 40 single, the smooth and funky cut NOBLE, this Irish enigma is turning our heads and causing mass levitations. His highbrow blend of genres, from R&B, to electronic and beyond, is meticulously clever and permeated with mood and personality.    

But, delving into his lyrics, F3miii is all about connection. His music explores personal stories and experiences that has shaped his journey, garnering a unique relationship with his fanbase and beyond. Finding solace in the truth, his melodic vocals give you a sense of longing, something so exclusive and individualized, that you daydream of him serenading you in a remote field in the middle of nowhere. 

He’s relevant, relatable and rambunctious. When we talk about aura, F3miii oozes it in buckets. The slickness of his production, with shades of early 2010’s artistry, is nostalgic and romantic at its core, while remaining distinctively soulful, characterised by F3mii’s magnificent ornamentation.  

Drawing comparisons with Frank Ocean and Kanye West, excitement in F3mii’s camp is at boiling point. So, we caught up with one of Ireland’s hottest prospects since Guinness and The Pogues to chat about his meteorical rise and global explosion of NOBLE around the world.  

 

Tell me about F3miii, the human. What was it like growing up in Dublin and what were some of your early influences?  

I used to watch a lot of TV when I was younger. I've always liked theme songs from TV shows. The music stations, Kiss TV, MTV, I listened to those constantly. That's where I found Drake. 

Drake is my favourite artist and he really got me into singing. Obviously growing up in Dublin, it is predominantly white. We have a lot of people who love house music. So that became a genre I just naturally bonded with. I've just absorbed a lot of different sounds throughout my life. 

I grew up in a church environment, so there was lots of hymns and songs of praise. One of my teachers was also a professorial fiddle player. He would play so many instruments in class like guitar and piano, I was just surrounded by it. 

Music kinda kept me out of trouble in school, I was just very interested. I wasn't stupid. I just had a really hard time focusing, but music was something that kept me grounded. Music is where my brain is centred.

Noble reached the top 40 last week. How does it feel seeing the impact of that song, not only in the UK, but around the world?

I'm still processing it. I can’t wrap my head around it; I can’t understand why it’s so big! I sometimes get stopped by people who say they know and love my music, which is just so crazy. 

When it hit the Top 40, I knew that had some serious significance. The first thought was, what the absolute f**k, my name is beside Michael Jackson. I am the first person in my bloodline to ever see my name beside Michael Jackson. It's a lot to process, but I'm just so grateful. I've been working my ass off for the past nine years for something like this, and it's finally happening. 

Is there no genre off limits in your eyes?  

I'll do any genre, I'll be honest. I love all sorts of music and I love getting out of my comfort zone. There’s probably some genres I haven't even listened to and I'm like, f**k it, I'll try it. I'm really good for that. I'm really trying to branch out. I really want to make the best music I can.  

Authenticity pierces your discography. How crucial is honesty to you, but more importantly, in helping you connect with your fanbase? 

So crucial, 1000 percent. It's easier to sell something you believe in. I like when I'm honest. I don't write fictional stories, every song I have is about moments in my life. I find it easier to write as well. The easiest thing for me is to write about whatever I'm feeling in that present moment.

Tell me about your experience in the Balamii Booth.  

Yeah, it was really cool. It was interesting because I've only seen it online and then going there in person, it was quite a small venue and it was also one of the hottest days of the year!  

I decided to switch it up and bring my band as well. I thought, no one brings bands so I was like, f**k it, let me do that. I thought there was no point in me just singing into a microphone, I wanted to properly perform.  

Being from Ireland and going on Balamii, something that is so culturally related to England, it felt very significant. Everyone had such good time and it felt incredibly surreal.  

Whose an artist people should have on their radar?  

My best mate, chameleon. 

If you ever want to die, listen to his music. That's the best way to describe it. He creates the most vulnerable and beautiful music you'll ever hear in your life. He's an incredible artist. He produces and writes all his music, he's just incredible. And his live performances, I've never seen anything like them in my life. He’s just an insane, walking ball of energy.  

You’re riding high. What's next on this seemingly unstoppable journey? 

So I have an EP on the way. It's 6 songs and it's called The Thrill of Nothing. It's going to be a lot of bangers and really good music that I'm excited to release.  

I'm just in the process of getting everything cleaned up. I'm putting my finishing touches on it, and then I'll get ready to start releasing the music! 

Check out more of F3miii here.  

Images: Jack McBride