His first single Broken has received over 5 million hits on Youtube and 20 million plays on MySpace. McLean is now hoping for further success with follow-up single My Name. We speak to Dagenham's rising star about internet fame and his upcoming debut album...
Q: Your first single Broken surfaced in 2006 and took on a life of its own on YouTube, having millions of hits. How did that happen?
A: Broken was on my MySpace page and the song got ripped from there. It just spread. I was doing my thing and I was getting emails from Germany, Australia and America. I'd look on YouTube and every day there would be ten new videos made for the song. It was crazy.
Q: Why do you think people connected to the song the way that they did?
A: Everyone has lost someone that they love in some way, and I think the song just touched people. Music helps people get through to certain situations.
Q: You used to perform under the name of Digga. Why did you decided to change it to McLean?
A: Digga was a nickname I had from school days. I've had so many nicknames and that name just stuck. I changed it because it was time to become serious.
Q: Your new single is called My Name. What's it about?
A: It's about that special someone who you want to spend your life with and give your name to. It's a big R&B song.
Q: You're also working on your debut album at the moment. How is it coming along?
A: It's sounding really big, if I do say so myself. I'm working with producers who have worked with people like Tinchy, Chipmunk and Justin Timberlake so I'm really excited. We're calling it nu-soul. It's got influences from everywhere - R&B, soul, pop - all mixed into one sound that is me.
Interview by Colin Gentry
The single My Name is available to download on 7 March. McLean's album is due out later this year.
