Picture Book: DELS

As part of a new feature asking artists to tell stories using snaps from their own personal photo albums, UK rapper Kieren Dickins aka DELS contributes an intimate series of pics to document some of the highlights from his career to date. From signing with Big Dada early last year to working with idol Roots Manuva and going on to release one of 2010’s more weirdly compelling debuts in GOB, the London-based MC is on something of a roll — and here he takes us through the story so far.

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Glastonbury, backstage at Guardian Tent, June 2009 with Kwes and Ghostpoet

First time playing at Glastonbury as DELS. Micachu and Kwes were booked to play their (now underground classic) Kwesachu Vol.1 mixtape and invited myself and Ghostpoet to come down and host the set. Eye-opening experience for everyone involved.

Behind scenes of ‘Shapeshift’ music video, January 2010

Self-funded music video for a song I made with Joe Goddard entitled ‘Shapeshift’. Joe and I knew imminently that this song would make for a great music video. I then recruited a few friends (Us & Chloe Hayward) to help bring the ideas in the song to life. We were really happy with the results, considering I was unsigned, and it was done on a pauper’s video budget of £500.

Live show lightboxes, February 2010

I always saw this project as an audiovisual experience. Coming from a design background, I wanted to combine these two worlds. I teamed up with my friends at Us and Fred Rigby to create a lightshow for my live performances. I always wanted my instrument in the band to be a visual.

Signing to Big Dada / Ninja Tune, May 2010 (in photo: DELS and Peter Quicke)

The day I signed to Big Dada / Ninja Tune was one of the happiest of my life. I had just played a show at Stag & Dagger in Shoreditch, where we then went to a restaurant with close friends and Ninja Tune staff to celebrate my signing to a record label with such a rich musical vision and heritage.

Preparation for the ‘Trumpalump’ music video, September 2010 (in photo: Poppy France, DELS & Christopher Barrett of Us)

Another visual collaboration with good friends, Us. The video was based on my lyrics from my second single, ‘Trumpalump’. It was a video that questioned whether we dream in colour or whether we dream in black in white. I really enjoyed this video as I felt we were creating something original with the visual treatment. The edit matched the randomness of the lyrics and how the song’s fragmented structure took on a life of its own.

Working with Kwes & Elan Tamara on my album GOB, October 2010

Recording with Kwes and Elan Tamara in my Mother’s back garden. It was a pop-up makeshift studio that I then coined Your Mum’s House Studios. It was a very productive space, we ended up creating ‘Moonshining’, ‘DLR’ and ‘Droogs’ that weekend.

Working on ‘Capsize’ at Fortress Studios, London, with Roots Manuva and Joe Goddard

To get the opportunity to work on music in a proper studio with Joe Goddard and Roots Manuva was an incredible learning experience for me. I really enjoyed hearing my music through those big studio speakers and recording a brass band live in the studio. This is one of those moments over the last year that (even now) felt very, very surreal. I was in the studio with one of the UK’s finest wordsmiths and producers to record a song for my debut album. An incredible honour.

Creation of the metal gobstopper, March 2011

The metal gobstopper was a visual timeline for the entire album. Each of the eleven rings’ thickness was defined by the length of each song. With the outer silver ring being ‘Hydronenburg’ and the inner black ring representing the song ‘GOB’. A lot of people have asked if the Gobstopper was based on the everlasting gobstopper in Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, and whether it’s a metaphor about the current state of hip hop that lacks longevity.

GOB shop, April 2011

To celebrate the launch of my debut album GOB, with the help of the lovely girls at Over It & Co., I curated an exhibition / sweet shop. An array of typographic posters that were based on my song lyrics were on sale, a metal gobstopper displayed in a similar fashion to the album sleeve, and a playlist of all my music influences filled the room as people conversed over cans of Red Stripe. Good times.

GOB album launch party, April 2011

My first ever headline show and we sold it out. I had this weird moment before I went onstage because everyone in that room was there to see me. I was so used to playing in front of crowds that didn’t give a shit about my music. I kind of fell into an empty black space for a minute or two and all I could hear and feel was the pulsating techno baseline that Micachu played before we went on stage. It was the first time my family had seen me perform which made it even more emotional for me. We played a great show and I loved every moment.

My debut album, GOB, is finally released, May 2011

Finally the album dropped. The response was extremely positive. I told myself that I wouldn’t buy one from Rough Trade, but I couldn’t resist! I just had to purchase a copy. I bought it on vinyl and CD and played it as soon as I got home. It was the first time I had heard the album in its entirety in a while. Sounded better than ever.

With Toro Y Moi at Stag & Dagger, Glasgow, April 2011

One thing I have enjoyed about being on the road over the last few months is meeting other artists. I’ve had the pleasure to be billed alongside some brilliant acts this year and I am looking forward to what future shows may bring.

Barcelona, Sonar Festival, June 2011

Sun, sea and great music. Living the dream.

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