On 2021 breakout single “Elevate”, Manchester’s Nemzzz laid out flows over a sample flip of PARTYNEXTDOOR’s “PERSIAN RUGS”, a self-assured, melodic display that created a brief viral moment for the newcomer. Three years on, the short freestyle track is perhaps best remembered for also introducing his alter ego: MR DND. The do not disturb phone mode for peace and quiet has now become a way of life for Nemzzz—a firm reminder that he’s in control. “I’ve always been that way as a person: distant and introverted,” Nemzzz tells Apple Music. “I just like my own space and I like to be by myself, or very selective on who I have around me. And that’s just how everyone knows me. They started calling me that even before ‘Elevate’, and I’ve embraced it.” DO NOT DISTURB takes the teenage MC’s personal mantra for limiting distraction, staying focused and curating his personal space, and blows it out across 11 tracks (all produced by Zel). After a writing camp in 2023, Nemzzz decided to set future sessions away from open call-outs for producers, going for a more structured, one-on-one approach for his debut mixtape. “It was at that camp in July that I met Zel, who was one of the participants,” he explains. “That was when we made the outro (‘MONEY AND VIBES’), just bouncing ideas off each other, and we’ve kept it going since. Now, we’re both coming up together and it feels good. What I liked was that we could agree to disagree with each other on almost everything.” The result creates a cohesive and familiar feel to DO NOT DISTURB, as jumpy, drill-leaning patterns sit under Nemzzz’s punchy lines on self-improvement (“ETA”) and intimacy (“NEED YOU”), and observations of his rapidly declining social battery (“PTSD”). Here, Nemzzz guides you across DO NOT DISTURB, track by track. “REFLECTION” “This is a trip down memory lane. At my [young] age, I’ve already been through a lot. For anyone that doesn’t already know me, this track gives you all you need to know.” “ETA” (feat. Luciano) “I can sum this track up easily: ‘I will not be on time.’ Honestly, ask anyone around me and they’ll tell you I’m always late for things. It’s never really on purpose, either—but it always happens. This goes all the way back to school, I was almost kicked out. I was the guy that woke up early, went back to sleep again, and the next thing, I’m late.” “PTSD” “This track samples one of my favourite Sade songs [1992 track], ‘Like a Tattoo’. I’ve been listening to the song for years now, I got into her music over lockdown in 2020, so it’s pretty cool to use that here. I’m still reflecting here, but there’s a bit more acceptance this time.” “L’s” “This is a shout-out to my favourite clothing brand: Louis Vuitton. I just couldn’t help myself! I say, ‘All my L’s, they come with a V’, which is really about turning negative [situations] into a positive. All my losses, I’ve learned from them, and I’ve grown up, so I’m able to manoeuvre situations better now.” “DOOM” “Here, I’m trying to switch it up and show that I can do different vibes as well. Think of this as a teaser of what’s still to come.” “STAR SIGN” “I was having fun, feeling good and riding the wave on this one, nothing too serious. I’m an Aries, and to me, we’re the best—but all I keep hearing from people is how we’re meant to be crazy!” “NEED YOU” “This is a song about a particular someone. They’ll definitely know who they are when they hear this. Everything from the lyrics to some of the places I mention makes it quite precise.” “REASSURANCE” “This is another one that’s very specific to someone. I’m not always on DND, you can actually keep some contacts on favourite to make sure they can reach you. This track is about that special person.” “VENICE” (feat. JayG) “This track’s called ‘Venice’ because of the beat, really. That was the vibe I got when I heard it! And [Hackney rapper] JayG, that’s my guy. I’m really rooting for him when it comes to music, and I’ve got really high hopes. This is me giving him that co-sign, letting people know this guy’s up there. You should trust me.” “DND” “This track explains who and what I am. The line, ‘My bad, didn’t see your call I’m on DND/I wanted to see you win, but it’s clear you envy me’ sums up this tape. I’m a realist. I look at things exactly how they are, and I don’t really dwell on certain things. It definitely did affect me at one point. But when you look at the bigger picture though, it’s like, ‘Why am I worried? What’s there to be sad about?’ The way I see it, a polar bear isn’t freezing in Antarctica, because that comes with the territory—and they know how to stay warm.” “MONEY AND VIBES” “This was a quick turnover ting with my producer, Zel. I heard the track [a cover version of Justin Timberlake’s 2003 single ‘Rock Your Body’] and asked him to make a beat around it. This track is a statement: ‘No, I’m not in the mood for toxic things anymore, man. I just need money, and I just want vibes!’”