By Kieran Webber
The UK MC has been on the scene for some time and has become known for his collaborations and work with Dead Players, Problem Child and LDZ. There has been many utterings of a Dabbla solo album and 2016 was the year that it came true, after signing with High Focus Records they made moves to release Dabbla‘s debut LP ‘Year Of The Monkey’ which came out 9th September.
Read More: Dabbla – ‘Year Of The Monkey’ review
We caught up with the man himself to find out more about his debut release and his opinion on recent developments within the London nightlife.
CLUNK: Thanks so much for taking the time to chat to us! We hope you are well? What have you been up to?
Dabbla: I’ve been very excited lately! I’ve had that I‘m going on holiday’ feeling keeping me nice and anxious and awake for most part. The rest of the time I’ve been making that sweet delicious rap music !
CLUNK: You started out as a jungle MC back in 96′ but what was it that drew you to the mic?
Dabbla: Not being allowed on the mic most of the time made me want that mic a whole lot more ! That and being the guy who calls the reloads! Only it’s embarrassing when you ask for it and the DJ disagrees, we’ve all been there. Or maybe just me.
“Not being allowed on the mic most of the time made me want that mic a whole lot more”
CLUNK: How come it has taken this long to get a solo album from Dabbla!!?
Dabbla: Because it hasn’t been the right time. This shits all about timing .. plus I had the Dead Players and Problem Child projects / albums which needed to happen first! That, and making sure I was happy with it.
CLUNK: Did you have a particular sound or vibe or even story that you wanted to portray across ‘Year Of The Monkey’ ?
Dabbla: The sound was always difficult, being that I have had roots in pretty much every genre this fine country has had to offer, it was always going to be healthy mix of all sonics and tempos I’ve been known to fucks with!
The vibe was always going to be humorous and entertaining as that’s the shit I enjoy most, plus I wanted to make an album which true London Zoo fans would be proud of!
I guess I did want to tell a story, but on more of a ‘story so far’ tip. Which is why I included a string of skits to help paint the perfect picture of how life in the music industry really feels in all it’s annoying irony. I always intended the album to have a beginning, a middle and an end which expresses my emotions , anxieties and aspirations for this rap thing and I guess the story will continue with the next one.
The vibe was always going to be humorous and entertaining as that’s the shit I enjoy most, plus I wanted to make an album which true London Zoo fans would be proud of!
CLUNK: How do you go about writing your material?
Dabbla: Ah the ol creativity question.. Sometimes it’s just there and I can just tap into it and sometimes I forcefully chase it so hard that I chase it away . It’s different every time. I like to think I can control it. That’s the ultimate head fuck about writing. I’m not one of those wankers who’ll suggest God or someone or something from a higher place is channeling through me but it does very much depend on where I am in my life and the circumstances around me that inspires the love and sometimes pain to be creative. Sorry to sound like a twat but not an easy one to answer that one.
CLUNK: Through the album there is a series of skits im curious to know are they real phone calls?
Dabbla: Haha that’s my good friend joe who recorded a five minute rant imitating the different sort of characters you come across at some stage in the music game. He recorded these roughly the same time we put LDZ’s ‘cat food’ out. I used the most relevant bits for this record and the rest will appear in the next London Zoo project. Real talk, though not a real telephone convo!
I’m not one of those wankers who’ll suggest God or someone or something from a higher place is channeling through me but it does very much depend on where I am in my life and the circumstances around me that inspires the love and sometimes pain to be creative.
CLUNK: You spent the beginning of the year travelling around India which I am sure has had an influence on your person but did it extend to your music ?
Dabbla: Absolutely yes, I was struggling between three titles for the project and being there definitely helped with the clarity to make a solid decision. My whole style and sound has always been a bit, you know, ‘foreign’ and songs like Stupid and Bad Continuity’ definitely signify a continuation with this dutty ethnic vibe I’m on. Also the idea for Randeer was born there from simply observing the locals posing for pictures and being on their selfie game.
CLUNK: As an artist operating out of London what is your opinion on the sad news that Fabric has had its licence revoked and all the other venues that have been lost?
Dabbla: It’s a sad time indeed for music lovers and performers. Probably worse for drug dealers and drug takers. Either way it’s gone. I’m just honoured that I got a chance to play there with my problem child gang earlier this year! RIP fabric, you will be missed .
CLUNK: What do you think can be done to stop the gentrification of London?
Dabbla: I dunno man. I have lots of ideas. Some are fanatical and revolutionary and others just sound great over a beer. We deffo need to build more of a community so we all know what THEIR plans are. Then maybe we can organise and build an effective, peaceful resistance and shape our own landscape. Obviously where we spend our money has a direct effect on our environment maybe we start there? Or maybe we all gather in small groups and stand outside the main underground stations in London once a month and prevent the suits from getting to work? That might do something positive but just an idea. It’s a tricky one. Fuck knows.
CLUNK: Right, on to less serious matters! What is most fucked\strangest thing you’ve seen at a live show?
Dabbla: Baxter with a whole in his arm, stage diving and pissing blood all over the place.
CLUNK: What are 5 things that you couldn’t live without?
Dabbla: Funfairs, cake, shorts, chairs and blowjobs.
CLUNK: And what can we expect later this year/in the future?
Dabbla: A string of LDZ singles , another dead players album , a problem child album and a slew of Dabbla singles before maybe another Dabbla album next year!
Massive shoutout to Dabbla for taking the time to answer our questions and huge thank you to High Focus Records for giving us the opportunity and an exclusive listen to ‘Year Of The Monkey’.
Buy the album here: