Ipswich rapper isn't Lazy anymore

By Richard Haugh

DELS' debut Ipswich appearance was for BBC Suffolk Introducing

"I'm DELS and I'm from Whitton," said the rapper in way of an introduction when playing for BBC Suffolk Introducing in September 2009.

DELS, real name Kieren Dickins, caught our attention in 2008 when his debut single, Lazy, was released.

The track, produced by Joe Goddard of Hot Chip, was the first fruits of a career that had already seen him gain recognition from John Peel.

"I kind of want to weird people out a bit," he says. He's one to watch.

Having graduated from his degree course in graphic design, DELS has had the time to concentrate on a musical career that was boosted by a chance meeting with the legendary owner of Peelacres many years earlier.

"A few of my friends were playing basketball and making music together so we started up our own band, The Alliance, when we were 17-years-old or something.

"It was two step garage music - really fast, uptempo, lots of bass lines - real club-orientated music.

"John Peel found us in some cafe when we were randomly performing and invited us to do a session for Radio One - which inspired us to carry on making music.

"The band fell apart but me and the main producer, Eli Turay, went to university in London but carried on making music all the time.

"We put up a MySpace and basically I decided to go on my own under the name DELS."

This was in 2006 and it wasn't long before DELS' decision to use MySpace to promote his music resulted in some welcome attention.

"Me and Eli had started making hip hop music, slowing things down, and Joe from Hot Chip found me and really liked the way I flowed on top of the beat.

"He said 'do you want to work together' and I said 'yeah, sure'.

"At first I didn't really believe it, I thought it was a lie. But they took me to a Hot Chip show and I thought, ok this might actually be real.

"When he found me people were saying that MySpace doesn't work anymore so it was quite funny.

"Working with Joe and also Eli helped push my music out there.

"I didn't know how to break into it and didn't really have many contacts, but ever since I met him I've been in touch with loads of people and people are now starting to listen."

Not Lazy anymore

The first fruit of this partnership was a 7" single released on the influential Moshi Moshi label.

Produced by Joe Goddard, Lazy heralded DELS' arrival and picked up positive press coverage including Drowned in Sound's Single of the Week accolade.

DELS initially didn't believe Hot Chip's interest in him

"We recorded Lazy at Joe's studio in his bedroom, where they record most of Hot Chip's music," DELS said.

"It's a bit messy because it's part bedroom, part studio but I like it in there - it's interesting.

"But he wants to get a bigger studio now as his wife is going a bit mad."

Since the release in March 2008 DELS' stock has continued to rise.

He's now signed to a management group, is on the books of a top booking agent and is once again working with Joe Goddard.

"Me and Joe have decided to make an album together as a joint project. Hip hop is something Joe's always wanted to make and he takes influence from so many things."

Graphic design remains a key part of DELS' life and he's keen to incorporate these skills into his musical career rather than putting them to one side.

This includes designing his own logo and cover artwork.

"In this age we're in with the music industry it's as much about the visuals as it is audio.

"It's almost like creating a brand in a sense and I'm keen to inject all my design background into the music.

"I'd like to inspire young kids out there who are trying to make it as well, or doing it just for fun.

"If you combine everything you're talented at you can go really far."

With so many highlights in such a short space of time DELS appears to be pinching himself that this is all happening to a 'disruptive and delinquent' former Thurleston High School pupil.

DELS is using his graphic design experience to work alongside his music

However, a headline show at the Great Escape in Brighton stands out: "It was one of the first shows I've done in front of a massive, packed out crowd and it was amazing.

"I thought my show was quite good but now it's a lot better, because when you're performing in front of so many people it gives you a weird energy.

"I can't describe it, it gives this rush and I really get into it when there's more people there.

"After this though I did a few smaller shows and hardly anyone was there. I did another show with Roots Manuva where loads of people were there, and then Glastonbury, so it's always up and down.

"But it's all part of the learning experience I guess."

DELS is also having to come to terms with meeting some of his idols, who are suddenly his peers.

"I performed at the Stag and Dagger festival and Diplo was there. Hot Chip were doing a DJ set and I started singing over their instrumental tracks.

"I randomly came on, did my thing and Diplo said he really liked my stuff."

DELS currently lives in London but still spends a lot of time in Ipswich, especially when he has the time to work on writing new material.

I asked him what his old friends are making of his success.

"My friends back in Ipswich heard Lazy a couple of years ago and were like 'what the hell is this?'.

"They didn't really get it and didn't really know who Hot Chip were.

"But they've now heard the latter tracks and are more into it now.

"Being in London has made me realise how lucky I am to be here because when I was back home I didn't really get that inspired I guess.

"Maybe I didn't know the places to go, the right venues or stuff, but I feel it would be good to give something back."

DELS made his first live appearance under his new guise for BBC Suffolk Introducing in September 2009. Take a look at the photos using the link on the right.