“Dirty Dike is a rapper and producer.”
The statement above is arguably the easiest way of explaining what he does in a short sentence. Thing is, Dike doesn’t really do labels or pigeonholes, and a short conversation with him would certainly be enough to make that crystal clear.
Just ask any musician he has ever shared a studio or stage with. Sure, a banger is a banger, it comes out of the speakers nice, but, wouldn’t it be better with a skewed sample of Daphne And Celeste whooping every four bars? Probably. Wouldn’t it also be better if the verse were delivered atop a speaker stack, fabulous shirt swinging in time with the strobe lights? It probably would you know…
Dirty Dike is obsessed with a handful of things. These things are instrumental in shaping his everyday and contribute significantly to the music he makes. He is obsessed with discovery, and adventure, and debate, and late nights either immersed in derelict bliss or surrounded by glitching and bleeping synthesisers in his studio. He is obsessed with railway lines, and painting, and taking pictures, but most significantly, he is obsessive in his pursuit of writing, recording and producing music that extends beyond the limits of any of the aforementioned, which is why, put simply, he doesn’t sound much like anyone else.
The best part about it all is that his efforts have captured the hearts and minds of fans across the world, and he is both humbled by and thankful for the support. It seems people hear something in Dike’s psychedelic voice that they can truly associate with. Whether it’s the joy, the suffering, or something in-between. One thing is certain, Dirty Dike’s derivé shows no signs of slowing anytime soon.
Dike’s fifth solo album ‘Acrylic Snail’ is out now. A 14-track homage to the industrial estates and railway lines that raised him; an experiential body of work documenting the feeling of those times. Of growing up in raves. And the tumultuous and unforgiving journey out of them.
Be sure to check out Dike’s production and guest verses scattered throughout some of our most recent releases – from the stellar sound-work on Ronnie Bosh’s ‘All People Expect’, to his flaming hot guest verse on the legendary ‘Hindenburg’ by CMPND, Dike appearances are always a treat for the ears.
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