DUBSTAR is a combative Afro-reggae-style drill track with calming guitar melodies, hard drill bass, and war-like lyrical lines, clearly influenced by the Africa/UK Drill genre. Typically Drill MCs love to do quick timed flows, but dESH’s flow is energetic yet creatively slow paced as the artist toasts in his rough and husky voice. The main take away from the DUBSTAR track is the artist’s adamant hatred for pagans (untrustworthy persons) and the Babylon system (the corrupted, capitalist, colonial world system)
Hey, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What first got you into music?
Thanks for this! Without a doubt — my childhood friend Elliot. It started showing in primary school, but I’ve always really loved music. Elliot introduced me to the bootleg tape recordings of the Public Enemy, KRS-One, EPMD. In it there were other rappers like LL Cool J, Big Daddy Kane and more. I started listening to it, studying it, and enjoying it.
Elliot encouraged me to write my first raps. The guy believed in me, he told me I would make a good singer/rapper. His passion together with mine are probably the reason I ended-up being a rapper in those earlier times.
I should say I’ve still been heavily influenced by RnB, Hiphop and the Dancehall era of that time. I still appreciate the style of clothing around that time. Basically, what made me think about being a musician for the rest of my life was the influence of the music I listened to when I was teenager such as the Fugees, Busta rhymes, Das EFX, Fushnikens, Nine, Shabba Ranks, Buju Banton, Cutty Ranks etc. I literally fell in love with rap and Jamaican music in general.
What strengths do you have that you believe make you a great artist?
‘Great artist’ seems like a phrase I wouldn’t loosely use to describe myself. I think it is patience and persistence and working talented individuals. Evolving as an artist has always been my greatest challenge but I like to think that I do that with ease, and I like to believe that where my strength lies as an artist.If you look at the work I have done- I
do reggae, Hiphop to traditional African music. I am excited about what I have done in the studio. It’s mad what’s coming. It’s gonna smash doors, you get me.
Your latest track is ‘Dubstar’. Can you share with us the background of its creation and did any unusual things happen during its creation?
Unusual stuff happens every day, I can’t say the specific thing that happened. You know I have been fighting injustices all my life but at the same time I am here to remind you that I am not a pushover. I’m a Zambian. I’m an African. I have a lot to say. When you listen to DubStar I am burning wickedness dismantling pagans (untrustworthy persons) and the Babylon system (the corrupted, capitalist, colonial world system). What dubstar is saying is ”Don’t put your head in the lion’s mouth”, you feel me? DUBSTAR as a song started with a beat I got from my homie Viper Beats in London, and the rest as they say is history.
Where did the idea for the title of the track come from?
I am into Dub culture, that is why you can see Dub in my name. Dubs is a shortened Dubstar.You know, I look up to the original Dub-stars. I call blackstars the originators such as King Tubby, Lee Perry, Mad Professor, Jah Shaka, Kwesi Johnson and Eroll Thompson. Dubstar is a blackstar, a rastaman, a militant freedom fighter. This is where
the inspiration of the song came from.
What does your daily life look like? What takes up the largest part of your time?
I go to work. I am taking it easy these days by not going to the Dojo.. Writing used to take most of my time in the past. But now I can say I spend most of my time at work. Ofcourse, I am always writing and doing music related stuff. That’s how I don’t end up crazy and maybe die. I don’t go out. I like to chill at home with my family. I am a chilled dude. I think
What is the most surprising fact you’ve learned about yourself?
It may sound weird, I have two: one is concerning success and the other about shyness. I’ve always been very shy in person but when it comes to music and being on stage it is all a different story. I don’t understand why. I still feel a bit awkward while I’m playing in front of one or a few people. I have a lot of respect for the people who do what they love no matter what people say.
The other thing is my perception of success. Sometimes I get called lazy because I tend to treasure mental peace more than a lot of stuff that people think one needs to do to be successful. For me, I think success should be defined by how close you get to peace and truth, or as an artist – speaking the truth? I am a naive believer of ”the truth shall set you free’ thing. And I have no logical explaination for that.
Do you think that education is important?
Yes indeed! Education comes first for me not just because you can end up with a good occupation. I think it does something to your ways of thinking, I am not sure what, but it makes some things better. I am still thinking of going back and doing a PhD. I still regret not pursuing and finishing it when I had a chance to do it. That is how I think of
education, important.
What are your dreams? Have any already come true?
Well, musically, after all these years in music, I am still an aspiring musician so being able to share my songs on a larger platform and earning a living is still my goal. Achieving that would be my dream come true. I know this is slowly happening now. Greatness! The first actual one is happening! Believe me.
How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?
With the internet today, it’s easy to have access to a lot of music, you can sell your music easily and get some so called professional advice and information, but the quantity of possibilities are so many that personally as a musician I get so confused. I like to believe it is a nice thing, To me, the impact of the internet has been positive
because it is taking out the music industry gatekeepers one by one. Like anything it works for some people and for others is a nightmare.
Do you think it’s hard to break out in the music industry?
It is a very difficult question, like I said, the music industry works for some and it doesn’t work for the others. I think it gets easier if you know how to play the game. I hear a lot of people saying it’s easy, if you are smart with the internet, marketing and presentation. For me, the greatest challenge is being an artist while dealing with reality: writing songs or being on stage and sharing with people the artistic side of things.
I think this side sometimes hides a multitude of other realities: the reality of business, marketing or the behind-the-scenes stuff. Sometimes, it’s like “what are you willing to sacrifice to achieve your dreams?”. This question is especially hard if you believe in something larger than yourself. No one likes to be called a sellout. I’m optimistic and curious. To answer your question I think it is hard to break out
Do you have any more releases planned for this year?
I am releasing the full album in a few weeks. A few weeks ago I released a single Moye and now Dubstar. Both are actually from the forthcoming album. Most of the songs in the album talk about the importance of love and never giving up in life generally with whatever challenge you face. The idea is that besides being a flesh and bones human, I believe we are also spiritual beings that are all guided by a spiritual energy which shouts, no weapon shall prosper against spiritual us in any way or fashion. I think you should look out for the album, the release date and title is not yet set.
