CockNBullKid is one of the most hyped new pop artists of 2011. And quite rightly so. Her mix of streetwise London soul and sweet pop sounds makes for one of the year's most carefree listens on her debut album, Adulthood.

Ahead of the album's release, and to coincide with her new single, 'Asthma Attack', we caught up with Anita Blay, the lady behind the cock, the bull and the kid, to chat ex-Girls Aloud members, her plans for a future in the pop and found out why she wants more people to flirt with her on the London Underground...

Hello CockNBullKid! What are the key facts newcomers to you and your brilliant pop music need to know?
I started of doing sort of low five type of glitchy stuff and then I went away and essentially learned how to write a pop song - well, hopefully I did. My album is the result of that. It might sound arrogant but I don't think I sound like anyone else around at the moment. I'm influenced by people like Little Richard and Peaches and stuff but I don't think I sound like any of them.

Which are your favourite tracks on your debut album and why?
They're all like my children! I like them equally but for different reasons, but the one that holds a special place in my heart is 'The Hoarder' because it's the most honest song I've written. I also love 'Cocknbullkid' because I had a lot of people saying 'I hate your name', 'why are you called that' so I just wrote a song just so people can listen to it and maybe answer some of their questions.

Your 'Asthma Atack' video sees you walking through the streets of London late at night. Did you have to film it at some hellish time of night?
We shot in the early evening that sort of time and like we were outside till two in the morning which isn't too bad that if anything it was the shortest video I have ever done. It was shot in the trendy Broadway Market in East London. It's full of middle class people alongside authentic crackheads and alcoholics. I think at one point there was a crack head sat on a car bonnet being in the shot for like 30 minutes and no one noticed.

So those are genuine locals in the video, not just performing arts students?
Yeah. I quite enjoyed that element, it brought a bit of authenticity to the video. It wasn't a massive shoot. I'm not exactly Lady Gaga, there wasn't like a massive hoo-ha about it. We blocked of the road but we were filming right next to a pub where people were drinking and just enjoying watching us filming.

The song celebrates the good and the bad of London. What do you love and hate most about the city?
I love the diversity. I love that there's so many people from so many different cultures living in one place. When you step outside of London, you become grateful to be from a place like this where generally people are quite open minded because their next door neighbour was not necessarily someone who is born here has the same beliefs you have. I suppose the down side is that we are so used to things happening we're kind of cold to people - even if at the same time we are open minded. People in other parts of the UK are a bit more friendly. They say 'hi' to you at the bus stop - and that just doesn't happen here. I just wish London was a bit warmer at times.

Would you ever say 'hi' to a stranger on the tube?
I wouldn't walk up to someone and say hello but I would you know eye contact and then smile little things like that.

Hmmm. Some would call that flirting...
Yes maybe that it could be confused with flirting everyone likes to flirt. It's harmless. Although there is a fine line between flirting and molesting and I have definitely witnessed some of that on the tube...

Is it true you've been involved with Nicola Roberts solo album?
Well I have co-written a song for her album - but I'm not sure if it made the cut. It's called 'Dance Away'. I didn't actually get to meet her in the studio unfortunately, but I think it's great. I think that obviously there is a lot of anticipation. A lot of people are expecting it to be 'the cool album' from a Girls Aloud member. I know some of the guys who worked with her and they very surprised about how controlled she is and how much she knew about song writing craft and how adventurous she was in the studio. He was very impressed with her.

Getting back to you, what's on the CockNBullKid calendar for the rest of 2011?
Well, there's the album - which is out in 25 May and then just festivals and touring. I do have a little side thing, which I can't really talk too much about, but people can expect to see some of that later on in the year. And of course, just getting out there thinking globally, like outside of the UK and I'll be starting to write the second record anytime now.

So not too much then! Thank you very much CockNBullKid.

CockNBullKid's new single, 'Asthma Attack' is available in the Orange Music Store now. The album, Adulthood, is released on 23 May 2011.