We just finished listening to Stephan Leroy Folkes’ debut single “Say It Like You Mean It”—and trust us, you’ll want to hit replay the moment it ends.
From the very first note, Stephan doesn’t just sing—he speaks to the soul. The track is smooth, sultry, and saturated with emotional truth. It’s the kind of song you play when your heart is full, your thoughts are heavy, and you need a voice that understands.
But here’s what makes Stephan so magnetic—he’s not chasing trends or trying to fit a mold. He’s fearlessly authentic, singing from a place of truth and vulnerability. You can feel it in every lyric, in every breath.
“Say It Like You Mean It” is a heartfelt anthem about wanting love that’s real. We’ve all been there—someone says all the right things, but their actions don’t line up. Stephan reminds us that we deserve more. We deserve love that’s deep, intentional, and shown through action—not just words.
His voice? It’s a warm, emotional blend that brings to mind legends like Prince and Maxwell, yet carries a unique tone that’s all his own. 🎤 It’s the kind of voice that makes you stop mid-scroll, close your eyes, and listen.
But this isn’t just about a song—it’s about a story. A journey. A movement.
🎧 LISTEN HERE:
Spotify – Say It Like You Mean It
Watch the Official Visualizer on YouTube
💡 Who Is Stephan Leroy Folkes?
Hailing from Leytonstone in East London, Stephan is not just an emerging artist—he’s a survivor, a visionary, and a creative soul with something to say.
Growing up as a special needs individual, Stephan faced countless challenges—including a life-altering hospitalization at age five and a near-drowning incident in his pre-teens. But instead of giving in to the setbacks, he transformed them into strength and sound. Music became his sanctuary. His way of healing—and of healing others.
At just 11 years old, Stephan began performing. By 13, he was writing songs and training under respected mentors like Claude Alexander, a former UB40 backing singer. Today, he’s not only a singer and songwriter but also a sound engineer, producer, and creative visionary.
He proudly calls himself “The Visionist” and “The King of Fantasy,” because he refuses to be boxed in. Stephan’s music blends soul, jazz, R&B, trance, soft rock, funk, and more, inspired by icons like Prince, George Michael, Stevie Wonder, and Billie Eilish.
🌍 Why Stephan’s Story Matters
Stephan’s music carries messages of resilience, self-love, and empowerment. He’s here for the dreamers, the quiet fighters, and those learning to reclaim their voice. His debut track is more than a song—it’s a call to rise, to speak your truth, and to love yourself enough to walk away from anything less than real.
This UK artist isn’t just creating music—he’s creating space for those who’ve been overlooked, underestimated, or silenced. And in doing so, he’s inspiring a movement.
📲 FOLLOW HIS JOURNEY:
Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | X/Twitter | Soundcloud
🎙️ For press inquiries or media opportunities, contact Stephan directly.
So remember the name: Stephan Leroy Folkes.
He’s here to heal. To empower.
And to remind us all to say it like we mean it—in music, in love, and in life.enre-bending sounds or unapologetic self-expression, his work is a reminder that you don’t have to fit in to make an impact—you just have to be real.
Pump it up Magazine: Your single “Say It Like You Mean It” is full of emotion and honesty. What inspired the song—and what does it personally mean to you?
Stephan Leroy Folkes: Say It Like You Mean It is my debut single, and it speaks to the importance of valuing your time and energy. At its core, the song is about self-worth and learning to read between the lines—because not all communication is direct. In fact, around 90% of communication is nonverbal or indirect. As a man, I’ve found myself in situations where I kept pursuing someone despite subtle signs they weren’t really interested—and I ended up getting hurt. I know I’m not the only one who’s been there. I believe this song will resonate with anyone who’s experienced mixed signals or emotional uncertainty. My message to listeners is this: a smart person learns from their own mistakes, but a wise person learns from the mistakes of others.
Pump it up Magazine: Growing up in Leytonstone with unique challenges, how did your early life shape the artist you are today?
Stephan Leroy Folkes: My music is rooted in personal experience. Growing up, I faced a lot of challenges—living with special needs, nearly drowning as a pre-teen, and moving in and out of mainstream education. I spent most of my school years in a special needs unit, and those experiences shaped not only how I see the world but also how I express myself through music. Rather than dwell on pain or negativity, I’ve made a conscious choice to turn those moments into something constructive. I focus my energy on creating music that usually uplifts others and inspires self-investment. That’s the core of my brand—using my journey to motivate people to keep going, to grow, and to believe in their worth. Sometimes I write to escape what I’ve been through—but more often, I write to transform it into something empowering. That’s what gives my music its emotional tone. It’s honest, reflective, and meant to help others find light in their own journey.
Pump it up Magazine: Can you tell us about your cousin Deyaz, the UK artist?
Stephan Leroy Folkes: Deyaz is my cousin and an independent artist from the UK. Although we no longer communicate—largely due to him distancing himself from most of the family, except his mother, I call it the “I’ve made it syndrome”. He has achieved success early on—he was even signed twice without having a music buzz. To me, Deyaz is an industry plant as well as Ice Spice and Billie Eilish! He got very lucky as Deyaz does look very marketable! I’m confident Deyaz couldn’t create a music buzz without a label (like myself) and get signed.
He once told me he’s not a “singer” and that he relies on Auto-Tune during his live performances. Music never really has been about talent, it’s more about who’s very marketable/brand and who’s a safer investment for record labels to make money. I remember seeing a special group on Deyaz’s Instagram (before he blocked me) called “Deyaz’s family” for his fans. I found it pretty ironic, considering how he treats his actual blood relatives. Truth is, Deyaz isn’t a very sincere person.Nevertheless, it’s unfortunate how things unfolded, as some people in the family who have supported him have been cut off. This behaviour isn’t reflective of how he was raised and he does struggle with addiction: alcohol and drugs. He has a baby and a girlfriend who’s keeping things together! It’s a sad reality, but I guess it’s “natural selection”. Although Deyaz and I were supposed to collaborate at one point, that never materialised, he chose to work with his friend Jessie Reyez and they’re very cosy together!
Musically, the people who have helped me out the most are not related to me. Family these days for most part, doesn’t mean anything. I remember a time when Deyaz asked me to take him to the hospital, he came to my mum’s house in distress late at night, I was worried something had happened to him. I was prepared to have a fight with anyone who hurt him. Deyaz told me that he’s so-called bandmates were stealing his clothes. I told him “they’re not your bandmates and you should go solo”. He even faced conflict within his own immediate family, with his brother punching him in his face for him being “ungrateful and overly-selfish”. It seems like a lot of what has happened stems from Deyaz’s deeper personal issues.For me, any setbacks in my life only fuels my determination to stay positive, grow, and persevere. I’m committed to never losing sight of my brand/identity, even as I gain recognition in the music industry. I’ve seen how other artists have been affected by success in unhealthy ways, and I won’t let that happen to me. On a lighter note, I’ve recently had discussions with Nines’ (UK rapper) music manager, and I’m hopeful that something will come from it. Only time will tell…
Pump it up Magazine: You call yourself “The Visionist” and “King of Fantasy.” Can you share what those identities represent for you and your creative vision?
Stephan Leroy Folkes: For me, those titles reflect my mindset and artistic direction. “The Visionist” represents someone who sees beyond the present—someone who creates with purpose, not just to follow trends. “King of Fantasy” speaks to the imaginative, genre-blending world I’m building through my music. These identities are part of my brand because they reinforce my commitment to originality. I’ve had people tell me my music sounds “different,” and that’s exactly what I aim for. I’m not stupid—I’m not going to make generic music just to fit in. That kind of music feels safe and uninspired to me. One of the reasons I’ve always been wary of major labels is because they often push artists to follow trends they created themselves, instead of letting the audience decide what connects. I’d rather stay true to myself, grow at my own pace, and keep building something more original.
Pump it up Magazine: Genre-blending is a huge part of your sound. How do you choose which elements to fuse, and what role do your influences—like Prince and George Michael—play in your music?
Stephan Leroy Folkes: I go by instinct—plain and simple. As a genre-blending artist, I let the music guide me. If a melody leans toward soft rock, funk, indie, or R&B etc. I follow that direction without overthinking it. For me, it’s all about the feeling. Overanalysing often leads to self-doubt, and that’s not productive for creativity.Take my song Say It Like You Mean It—at its core, it’s a mix of alternative pop and indie R&B. That blend came naturally through intuition, not over-planning. I approach music the way an MMA fighter approaches a fight: why stick to one style when you can draw from many to create something dynamic and expressive? Music is art—and art has no limits.I’m not a rapper, but I do have a bonus single called It’s None of Your Business (which won’t appear on my debut album Hazard). That track combines singing and rapping, and it pushed me outside my comfort zone—something I believe is essential for growth as an artist.For me, the most influential music came from the 1960s and especially the 1980s. Though these eras were before my time, their impact is undeniable and continues to inspire artists like me today. What I admire most is how those artists trusted their instincts and took creative risks—an approach I’ve adopted in my own work. While I don’t necessarily aim to match their legacy, reaching even a fraction of their level would be an honour.Listeners often compare my vocals to icons like Prince, the Bee Gees, Michael Jackson, and George Michael. Billie Eilish is another key influence—not just because I admire her sound, but because she bridges the gap between legacy and current relevance. When people explore a new artist, understanding their inspirations reveals their creative DNA and helps listeners connect on a deeper level.In many ways, my music is a tribute to the legends who’ve shaped me—both musically and personally.
Pump it up Magazine: Many people silently battle with being unseen or misunderstood. How do you hope your music helps listeners who feel that way?
Stephan Leroy Folkes: I want listeners to walk away not just entertained, but transformed — with a renewed sense of self-worth that empowers them to see their value beyond external validation. My hope is that they begin to recognise the importance of self-investment — emotionally, mentally, and spiritually — by becoming more intentional with how they spend their time and energy. I want them to start honouring their boundaries, trusting their intuition, and learning to read between the lines of their experiences, conversations, and emotions. By doing so, they can begin to uncover deeper truths about themselves, challenge limiting beliefs, and build a foundation for long-term growth, resilience, and self-discovery.
Pump it up Magazine: You’ve turned personal pain into purpose through your work. What advice would you give to someone still finding their voice or healing from past wounds?
Stephan Leroy Folkes: You’re not alone. Everyone carries something — a wound, a weight, a story — no matter their background. Pain doesn’t discriminate, but it does shape us. As long as you’re still breathing, there’s space to grow, to heal, and to create something meaningful from the mess. Life will throw its punches, but resilience is built on getting back up. No one escapes life unscathed — and often, it’s the scars that carry the most powerful art.
Pump it up Magazine: Mental health and individuality are central to your message. How do you stay grounded and protect your creative energy?
Stephan Leroy Folkes: Growing up with special needs was an extremely difficult experience—and it’s something I still struggle with to this day. But I’m learning to manage it. I have my bad days and my good days, and I’ve come to embrace that. It helps me maintain my sanity, because at the end of the day, no one is perfect. I’m not a machine—I’m a human being, and nothing in life runs perfectly all the time.My special needs have deeply shaped my outlook on life. I’ve chosen to channel that energy into my music—not just to blow off steam, but to help others through it, even on days when I struggle to help myself. That’s what makes it real. It’s a message to myself, and to others: you’re not alone.Music is like therapy for me. I genuinely love the euphoric feeling I get from writing, singing, producing, and sound engineering, and being fully immersed in the creative process. At times, music makes me feel truly alive. Everything I’ve talked about in this interview is part of who I am—part of my brand—and that’s why I feel such a strong need to manifest this into something bigger.
Pump it up Magazine: What’s next for Stephan Leroy Folkes—and how can our readers support your journey as you rise?
Stephan Leroy Folkes: Over the next year, I’m aiming to release my second album, which is already nearly halfway complete. I’ll be using a waterfall strategy again—releasing a series of singles leading up to the full project. This year is also about promoting the music I’ve already released, including my upcoming debut album Hazard, which drops on the 6th of June 2025, along with two singles: Is This Paradise? and a bonus track not included on the Hazard album, It’s None of Your Business. Right now, it’s all about building momentum, reaching new audiences, and staying consistent.Thank you for this interview, Pump It Up Magazine! There’s much more to come—stay tuned.
