After battling brain tumours and depression, singer John Newman is back in the charts and aiming for a top ten.
His song with Scottish artist Nina Nesbitt, Without You, is part of his latest EP, A.N.i.M.A.L, which is slowly climbing up the charts and he is doing everything he can to push it up the table.
The Yorkshire star is no stranger to topping the charts with three number ones to his name in his short career so far.
However, it’s not been an easy journey to the top and he was hit with the shattering news he had brain tumour in 2012.
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Speaking to The EDIT ahead of his show at the Old Fruitmarket as part of his EP tour, the 29-year-old recalled the diagnosis and explained the vital role of the NHS.
“As always the NHS is up in the air and everyone’s f****** worrying about s**** politics and what the f*** is going on.
“People are forgetting about the importance of the NHS. I didn’t go to any fancy private doctor or anything I went to my local eye hospital and then on the NHS Hospital system.”
At the time the tumour was benign and removed, with John continuing to make music and achieving a number one with his debut album Tribute.
However as his career began to soar, he got another setback as the tumour returned as cancerous in 2016 which meant he had to undergo radiotherapy, putting his music on hold for the second time.
Since recovering from illness, the musician has worked with charities to give recognition to the subject but confesses he’s no fountain of knowledge.
“I work with charities such as the brain tumour foundation to give people an insight into my story.
“To be honest just because I have had three numbers one it doesn’t put me in a position to tell people how to deal with s*** like that that because I didn’t know how to deal with it.
“I’m not one of these people that’s like I’m f****** amazing because I’ve done well and I can tell you everything, it’s not me.
”When I was going through that situation I was like I don’t need some f****** American rapper telling me how to go through a brain tumour.”
The singer then went through a long process of recovery for two years before he returned with the single Fire In Me in 2018.
Earlier this year he dropped the track Feelings before his latest single with Nesbit and his latest EP, which he says has been a long time coming.
“It’s been in the works for so long, music has become so formulaic and I began to I feel like I was following a formula.
“I didn’t have as much production rights before and everyone was saying just leave it, but then f****** anyone can sing it and anyone can do it.
WITHOUT YOU FT @ninanesbitt OUT NOW! The rise continues!https://t.co/37eTOOor3a pic.twitter.com/T0Nxn9SaFp
— John Newman (@JohnNewmanMusic) August 30, 2019
“These were the four singles I wanted to put out as a music producer, a songwriter and a singer that make me feel good, so that’s why seeing even two people listen to it is amazing.”
Newman admits formulas are something so prevalent in modern music and acknowledges the industry has changed rapidly over the last 7 years since his first chart topper.
Despite the negatives he does admit there are some positives such as the ability to work at volume and put out riskier songs.
He is also full of admiration for modern stars who are taking risks and breaking free from the mould such as Billie Eilish and Lewis Capaldi.
“Everyone’s sat on the fence until a hit goes over the wall and then everyone chases down the road after it.
“Someone that has just changed that formula completely from posing for likes on Instagram to polished music and totally shredded that apart is Lewis Capaldi.
“The likes of Billie Eilish [also] are killing it, she’s not even a risk taker, people are calling her that but she’s doing what she loves.
“It’s amazing to see that in these times that good songs, true artists and f****** cool people still break the boundaries.”
The musician says he’s glad to be able to take chances by being back in full creative control of his music.
He admitted to being blinded by the lights of fame, focusing on the high life and forgetting about making music that makes his heart bleed like he needs it to.
The Englishman has been very open in the past about his struggles with anxiety and depression and says music has been a fantastic tool to help combat his issues.
“It wasn’t me trying to be popular when I released a statement saying that I was suffering from depression and anxiety it’s because I felt a bit ashamed that I had not been experimenting with my music and allowing formulas to take over.
“It was part of my healing process, to tell everyone I’ve been experimenting to try and crack this and I think now I have and I feel f****** great about my music and what I’m releasing.
“Music can be a healing device if you are open enough to allow it to be, it’s kept me on such a sane level.
“It’s why I’m sat here today and it’s why I’m aiming to play Wembley stadium because I’m ready for the f****** challenge and I never want it out of my life.”
As the revolution of John Newman continues you can help him get back to the top by streaming Without You on Spotify and buy the single on Apple Music.
Header image: Chuff Media
