Name: DC

Where He’s From: Greenwich, South East London

When He Started: 2014

Genre: UK Hip-Hop

File Next To: Jevon, Knucks, Dotty, Kadiata

Sounds Like: “I’d define my sound as experimental. I like to try new things and different sounds, so it’s rap, but it’s experimental—just not too far left.”

First Music That Inspired Him: “Nipsey Hussle, J Cole, Meek Mill.”

After just 10 months into his music career, DC found himself being shouted out on Stormzy’s #MERKY show on Beats 1 and featured on the “Standard” remix alongside AJ Tracey, Jammz and Nadia Rose. Not bad for a new artist without a project to his name. That would come the following year, in 2016, with the release of his What’s The Debate EP, which spawned fan-favourite tracks such “Strong” and “Cold”, alongside a consistent release of standalone singles that propelled him into 2017 and resulted in him supporting none other than J Hus on his Common Sense tour.

DC took some time out in 2018—dropping a minimal amount of music compared to the years since his debut—but still managed to deliver a coveted COLORS Berlin session entitled “No Manners”. He then locked himself in the studio to prepare for 2019, which has seen him come back with a bang, already releasing two videos from his newly-released tape Under The Influence. On Under The Influence, DC sounds as sharp as ever, speaking about his relationships with his rap peers, his family, girls, bunking university and growing up in South East London over 10 tracks with quotable lyrics and tracks raw enough for the streets, but also viable for BBC Radio 1 spins.

Part of what makes DC such an exciting prospect is his willingness to embrace what has come before and put his own spin on it. For example, his aforementioned track “Cold” includes a sample of Tempa T from SBTV’s now-legendary 2009 cypher (which also featured the likes of Skepta, Jammer, Jme and more), while “Strong” uses the instrumental for Daniel Bedingfield’s “Gotta Get Thru This”. His ear for beats doesn’t just extend to the past but also in his selections when creating original music with songs like “Dem Man” and “Playboy”, showcasing his ability to create nostalgic yet still-inspired music.

Just as comfortable on grime as he is over rap beats, DC’s laid-back style and delivery could draw comparisons to the likes of Peckham’s Giggs, but throughout his discography he has shown that he has flows for days and his cheeky bars and wordplay are his way of allowing his personality to shine through, along with the instrumentals he chooses. With one of his future goals being to “one day sell out O2 Brixton Academy”, DC has all the necessary tools to build his own legacy. Recognised by some of the biggest and best artists of his generation and showing continued growth in his own music—as well as the consistency that he’s displayed thus far in his career—that sold-out show isn’t far away.