TRACK REVIEW: IAMDDB - Wa’hum — Music Musings & Such

TRACK REVIEW:

IAMDDB

PHOTO CREDIT: Tiffannie Mersades Film

Wa’hum

9.1/10

The track, Wa’hum, is available from:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ceJ7FkJqbY

RELEASE DATE:

31st December, 2020

GENRE:

Alternative Hip-Hop

ORIGIN:

Manchester, U.K.

LABEL:

WÆV Entertainment

__________

THIS might be the shortest track I have…

ever done a review for on my blog! Not only do I want to tackle the brief beauty that is Wa’hum, but I want to spend a lot of time exploring the phenomenal Manchester-based artist, IAMDDB (Diana De Brito). The actual review of her new track may be quite short but, as I feel that this year will be a breakthrough one for her, there are subjects I want to cover - and there are things that are important to cover off. I am almost going to go chronological when it comes to her background and newest material, so I want to focus on IAMDDB’s background and why her sound is so unique. In an interview with GQ from January of last year, we discover more about an exceptional talent:

“It's easy to see why 23-year-old Diana De Brito has such a devoted cult following. Not only is the Mancunian, who goes by the stage name IAMDDB, wildly personable, unfiltered and unapologetically self-assured, she’s got a deliciously compelling, utterly unique sound, the kind that sets her heads and shoulders above the cookie-cutter artists in the charts. Citing influences from Erkyah Badu to Nat King Cole, De Brito's self-styled brand of “urban jazz” – a heady blend of hip-hop, jazz, trap and soul – has earned her a reputation as one of the most promising artists on the British urban scene, with 2020 looking set to be her biggest year yet.

The daughter of a well-known Angolan musician, De Brito moved from Lisbon, Portugal, to Manchester as a small child. Alongside Aitch, she's one of her city's hottest exports, having exploded onto the UK music circuit in 2015 with her single "Leaned Out". Since then, De Brito’s racked up tens of millions of views on each of her YouTube videos (check out “Shade”, currently on 30 million), she was placed third on BBC’s Sound Of 2018 list and has recently supported Lauryn Hill and US rap megastar Bryson Tiller on arena tours, all without signing to a label or releasing a debut album. Oh, and she’s also a bonafide fashion darling, having starred in campaigns for Browns, Moncler, Tommy Hilfiger and Levi’s, to name just a few”.

I think that there is something embedded in IAMDDB’s D.N.A. that meant that she (De Brito) always wanted to follow music and had that desire to make her own sounds. You can hear that from what she is putting out! There is this sense of hunger and desire that, one feels, has been there since she was very young indeed. Going back to that GQ interview, IAMDDB was asked about when she first wanted to be a musician and follow that as a path:

“I feel like I’ve always known, but the first time I really realised was when I played Rizzo in high school in about year nine or ten. As I was on stage, there was something in me that just clicked. "This is what I want to do, being in front of an audience, the lights, having a whole performance to deliver." I had the choice of either doing law or music, but library shifts were not for me. I want to see the world, travel, connect with different people... Because my dad was a musician, we had a studio at home and I was constantly around musicians and instruments, he travelled a lot and would come back with all these crazy stories. I wanted to be like my dad! Part of the reason I decided to go by IAMDDB instead of my full name was to create a bit of distance and solidify myself as an artist in my own right. I wanted to make sure everything I achieve is because of my hard work, not because "she has these contacts or her dad did this”. I toured in Africa in 2015, which was heavily jazz-based with lots of covers, but it really gave me the understanding of training, organisation, discipline, just the mental strength as well to be on stage and connect with the audience. It was so fire. From that experience, I was just like, "D, if you can do that in Africa, imagine what you could do in England. Get your arse back, and do the most”.

I will end the review by looking ahead and speculating as to where we might get a debut studio album - there has been talk and speculation for a while. She has released two E.P.s and three mixtapes to date. I can remember there was a lot of hype and buzz when IAMDDBB released her debut E.P., Waeveybby, Vol. 1, back in 2016. Early singles like Selfless are filled with so much quality and assurance. Although I think she has grown stronger since 2016, I love her earlier work. I want to flip things back to 2018 and an interview from CRACK. We get a bit more information about IAMDDB’s rise and progress to her debut E.P. - in addition as to what sort of sound/genre Waeveybby, Vol. 1 fits into:

“IAMDDB has achieved a great deal in a short time. Her come-up has been, in her own words, a “crazy journey. I’m just trying to keep up with the pace.” Having studied performing arts at college, she took a series of retail jobs before focusing seriously on music just two years ago. Last year finished with a string of accolades – from the BBC Sound of 2018 longlist, to support slots for Bryson Tiller alongside headline dates across Europe. At the age of 21, IAMDDB is a force to be reckoned with.

In terms of genre, IAMDDB has described her debut EP Waeveybby Volume 1, as “urban jazz”; songs with a spiritual leaning that you can jam at home and smoke a joint with your friends to. But many of the songs on 2017’s Hoodrich Vol 3 – including breakthrough single Shade – had trappier leaning for the turn-up. “I wanted to make something that the mandem can feel it, the girls can feel it, but it has to be… not mainstream, but for the club, for the hood.” What inspired the switch in vibe? “I just reached a point in life where I had had enough, and I was like ‘if one more thing falls apart I’m gonna fall apart, then we’ve got a real problem!’ It wasn’t a nice time in life so instead of just wallowing and feeling sorry for myself I was like ‘nah, you’re gonna use this, you’re gonna talk about it, you’re gonna manipulate it into something positive’, and here we are”.

IAMDDB is such an eclectic and intriguing artist; her sound is so addictive and stunning that one cannot really imagine she took a very direct lead from any particular artist! That said, I did want to know what sort of music she grew up on and what inspires her. I will come back to that interview from CRACK, because there is a passage where we learn more about the sort of music that IAMDDB was raised around:

“IAMDDB grew up listening to a lot of Afro-soul, Afro-jazz and kizomba – her dad is also a musician and is in a band in Angola – along with the likes of Nat King Cole and Whitney Houston. Now, she mostly listens to US rap, citing Jay Critch, Future and Rich the Kid as current playlist favourites. Her musical hero, however, is somewhat unexpected. “Bob Marley was my inspiration,” she reveals. “

Lyrically, in harmonies, in rhythm, in everything he did and represented. His music to me is almost higher powers saying it’s fine to have emotions, it’s fine to be emotional, it’s fine to fall apart but you’ve gotta forget about that and come back stronger.” And although their music might be worlds apart – “Bob Marley weren’t out here shouting ‘bad bitch no underwear’,” she laughs – IAMDDB hopes her fans will have the same soul-stirring feeling she experienced when listening to her biggest influence”.

Forgive me for giving such a long run-up for a single song – and one that is just under two minutes long -, but I have been waiting for a chance to review IAMDDB…and I should have done that last year when she put out the song, Quarantine! I think now is a better time, as we are in a new year; one where everyone is tipping who they think is going to be particularly important regarding their output. I am highlighting a lot of new artists at the moment but, even though she has been on the scene a little while, I think that IAMDDB is definitely a name that everyone needs to look out for this year!

Despite her success and her admiring fanbase, there is a humbleness that defines her and the music. A lot of artists obsess over streaming figures and they can have quite an ego. When you read more about IAMDDB, she comes across as very grounded and modest. In an interview with The Line of Best Fit from January 2020 the subject of humbleness came up:

“Despite her music generating over 1 million listens on Spotify a month, it becomes clear in talking to her that Debrito is not one to be clouded by cosmically generated numbers. Speaking candidly of the often skin-deep nature of the industry, which she seems to glide seamlessly through, she tells me: “Music has evolved so much from the time when we had ‘real’ artists. Music nowadays can be so microwavable, here today, gone tomorrow.” Particularly, in the genres of R&B, jazz and trap in which IAMDDB traverses, it could be argued that since it gains so much traffic and has such a high turnover, there is a temptation for artists to succumb to a certain style in order to make bank.

“A lot of people have one smash hit and think that’s it, and they’re good for life. But when you really examine this industry and this game, you realise that just because you’ve overcome one obstacle doesn’t mean there isn’t 100 to go. So staying humble, staying level-headed, and always remembering why you began this to begin with, is super important, in a level of consistency and quality, in the way you work and the way you carry yourself. Girl, it’s like a whole matrix”.

PHOTO CREDIT: Jackson Bowley

I have talked about sound and brought in some information regarding IAMDDB’s influence, but I was not aware until fairly recently that there is one particular artist who is a big hero of hers: Lauryn Hill. I guess, when you listen closely to some of IAMDDB’s songs, one can hear some shades of Hill. In the interview from The Line of Best Fit, we learn why Lauryn Hill is especially important to IAMDDB:

“Debrito’s personal style emulates this off-kilter sincerity, her lyrics transmitting a message to be yourself, and to always work for what you want. This is especially poignant given that navigating the industry as a woman can be so difficult. It would be amiss to not cite one of the most exciting points in IAMDDB’s journey last year, where her talent was recognised by the legendary Lauryn Hill – so much that she was chosen to accompany her as support on the The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill tour through Amsterdam and Scandinavia to London’s SSE Arena. She performed alongside Nas, M.I.A. and A$AP ROCKY. Reflecting on the whole experience, Debrito says, “I know! I still can’t believe I did that. It was so humbling to have such a legendary Black female recognise what I do – when I got the call I was like, ‘This is wild’. Someone I’d looked up to for so long was recognising the light within me.

“[Touring with Lauryn] was true motivation to just continue pushing towards being as true and as strong within myself as I can be. Even when I spoke to her, she gave me some advice and it was to stay true to myself, to make sure the team that I have believe and never try to make me conform.” Debrito has gone on to collaborate on tour with artists such as Bryson Tiller and Jhene Aiko. “It’s so humbling, the reception with the audience... for them to take me in with open arms. It gives me the sensation that, if I really hone in to my artistry, I can take it as far as I can”.

PHOTO CREDIT: Danny Kasirye

Despite a love of artists like Lauryn Hill, I don’t think IAMDDB is an artist that you can define – she herself definitely does not want to be defined and labelled too easily. You can hear from her music that IAMDDB is very much her own artist and she is not trying to match anyone - or follow in a legend’s footsteps. It is refreshing that she has such an original and unique sound. IAMDDB spoke with Vogue back in 2019, where the subject of musical independence was covered:

“All artists fear of being pigeonholed into a sound or genre and being accused of predictability. While releasing a series of volumes – amalgamations of booming trap as heard in “Shade” from Hoodrich Vol.3 sultry bass lines and velvety vocals as heard in “Pause” from Vibe, Volume 2. and bouncy, vibey trap in “Drippy” from Flightmode Vol.4, IAMDDB is anything but predictable. But her opting out of releasing a debut album is however, unconventional, but if anything, impressive”.

“For me, independence is being able to do what I want, without relying on anybody else or being influenced by outward energy – having full creative control. I make my own beat, I make my own rules and I make my own lane. It took a lot of trial and error, I can’t lie. It’s bittersweet that I didn’t go with a label because I did a lot on my own. I personally found the producers, wrote my own music, pieced everything together. I didn’t realise that most artists don’t do that or write for themselves! But I think, if I were to be signed with a label, there’d be boundaries, rules and levels that I wouldn’t be able to go to,” she explained”.

There can be a lot of expectation and direction from labels when it comes to their artists. Whether that is them trying to guide an artist in terms of their sound or commercial appeal, or whether it is to do with the way they put out their music, they are often dictated to a lot and are left to felt a little controlled. It would be easy for IAMDDB to feel that way and have people tell her how when she needs to put out an album or E.P. I want to bring in an interview from Browns. They spoke to IAMDDB a while back (I cannot find a date on the website for when the interview took place), and that issue of the industry control came up:

“You’ve been really headstrong when it comes to resisting the pressures of the industry. Where did you learn to be this way?

My big brother would school me on contracts, on the legalities of being with labels. For me personally, I’ve always been a very independent being anyway. I don’t like relying on other people, I like being in control. I was studying the game as I was going along, so now I’m in a comfortable space where I’ve experienced the highs, I’ve experienced the lows, and I’m still centred in myself.

How do you resist that pressure to go faster, especially as things start to pick up?

I just go home. I get on the train to Manchester and I’m like: “You know what D? Incense. Centre yourself. Humble yourself.” Because as quickly as you rise is as quickly as you can fall”.

I want to move on and head back as it were, as there is a particularity transformative event in IAMDDB’s life that occurred when she was a teenager. Going back to that Browns interview, it seems like a trip to Africa was especially instrumental:

“It was a trip to Angola that really changed everything for you. Can you talk about this?

I had just finished college, and I had just come out of a very toxic relationship. So I went to Angola for six months, and it was just the most mind-blowing trip I have ever done. It changed me for the better in so many ways. The first 48 hours I was like: “The water’s not working, the electricity… ahh!” But after that I just integrated into it. It really showed me that here we have so many luxuries we take for granted, and people would do anything to just have an hour or a day in this type of lifestyle. I came back fuelled to be the best I can be at my craft”.

There are a couple of other things that I want to address before moving to reviewing IAMDDB’s new track. Her most-recent E.P., Swervvvvv.5, was released in 2019. There is a lot of excitement regarding the possibility of an album but, at the moment, we are getting E.P.s and mixtapes with plenty of wonderful material. I think that Swervvvvv.5 is IAMDDB’s strongest effort to date. Circling back to the interview with Vouge, we learn more about that extraordinary E.P. – in addition to how IAMDDB has matured since her earliest releases:

“Now at 23, she returns with Swervvvvv.5, the fifth and last of the volume instalments. Inspired by Playboi Carti and Solange, her fifth project is her most refined with a definite focus on sounds and on instrumentals – a calming finale to her ever-evolving world of urban jazz that she has introduced us to, taking listeners by surprise in her hypnotic interludes in between tracks.

“I’ve matured since I started the volumes. I really wanted to make a project that you haven't heard before. I wanted to give my supporters a listening experience and I think Volume 5 is a perfect example of flowing – flowing through good energy, through empowerment and vulnerability. It represents the two sides of IAMDDB – the turn up and the vulnerable. It’s all about vibrations, and I want listeners to feel something when they listen to it, rather just think it’s cool. I want it to move something with you, raise your vibrations – just feel good”.

Just before getting onto assessing Wa’hum, I think that the ever-present talk of a debut album needs covering. I will go into more detail in the conclusion of the review, though it does seem like a level head and a long-term strategy has worked well for IAMDDB. She is not going to rush into an album. In an interview with the Manchester Evening News, we discover why IAMDDB has been taking more time to release music; why she does not want to rush into putting together a debut studio album:

“While many fledgling pop stars would have gotten carried away by all that hype and attention, Debrito, to her credit, opted for a more patient, long-term strategy. She chose to go down the independent route, setting up her own production company, Union IV Recordings, allowing herself complete artistic autonomy. And, instead of rushing out a debut album, she’s spent the past two years releasing a string of acclaimed EPs – the latest, SWERVVVVV.5, dropped back in February – and showcasing the multiple sides to her musical personality.

“You see so many new artists putting out a debut album too soon,” she says. “That’s why I’ve been doing things slowly, putting out EPs and mixtapes, developing my sound. As a new artist, the last thing you want to do is over-saturate yourself. I want to keep people hungry. When I drop an album, it’ll be because I’m ready, not because of any buzz. I’m doing things my own way”.

PHOTO CREDIT: Tiffannie Mersades Film

With production from Rndm Beats, Wa’hum is such a solid and memorable song - despite the fact that is comes in at 1:41. One might have to forgive any misquoted lyrics, as they are not available on the Internet at the moment. I love the start of the song. We get this sort of clavioline sound (I am not sure if that is what being used) that has this weirdly trippy sound that then feeds into a bold and proclaiming claxon. It is a typically confident and interesting introduction to a song from an artist who is always moving forward and innovating. There is a directness to IAMDDB’s lyrics in Wa’hum. The name, Wahum, can mean creativity, curiosity, charm, friendliness, cheer and social life. In Arabic, one meaning of the word is ‘delusion’. It makes me wonder where IAMDDB got the title from and what the origin of the song is. I would recommend people watch the video for the song, as it has these visuals which are quite dark and intense…but there is also a lot of power and beauty. Featuring models Rochelle James, Jasmine Mcking, Jennifer Mcking, IAMDDB directed the video alongside Justin Campos. The models – wearing black and dressed in balaclavas – are quite menacing and have a man pinned down. The lyrics, “Pussy boy, what you want from me?”, are pretty direct! Right from the off, it seems that there is a guy who might be bothering IAMDDB or he thinks that he is all that - and, perhaps, he is stepping out of line. I love the video’s visuals – they sort of remind me of what director Chris Cunningham was doing in the earliest days with artists like Aphex Twin.

PHOTO CREDIT: Tiffannie Mersades Film

We do get this image and storyline of a very confident woman who will not be messed around! The language in the song can be quite intense and explicit but, rather than it being used to shock and caused offence, it is declaration from a woman who is confident in herself and will not be played. She is sexy and vibrant; an independent and headstrong person that is not to be underestimated. I like how Wa’hum switches direction in terms of genre. At the start, it sort of plays in the Hip-Hop/Grime camp. Then there is a change when there is a Reggae vibe. IAMDDB’s vocals go from something quite straight and fierce to a delivery that has more bounce and coolness. That said, one cannot get the impression that this means she lets her foot off of the gas. Indeed, as she says she is an African woman who is going to “shoot and strike”, we are still listening someone who is in control and has this power! In the video, the masked models have gagged a man and tied him to a chair, as IAMDDB walks around with an intent look. I do really like the visuals and concept; the make-up and costumes are fantastic!

It does sort of go back to how IAMDDB creates her own world and visuals; this unique artist who is so striking and inspiring. Not only is the video for Wu’hum quite dark at times, but there is an undeniable sexiness. It is clear that the heroine has a lot of confidence in her body and mind and that may be going unnoticed or taken for granted by someone. She wants to scare and shock the man; maybe as a reminder that she cannot be fooled with! Maybe this is IAMDDB firing a warning shot to the music world in general – letting them know that she is here to stay and among the finest around. With a great set design and costumes, the video mixes suggestions of violence with sexiness. It seems that there is jealousy aimed at IAMDDB regarding her skills and abilities. At the end of the video, the man has been subdued (or certainly taken care of), where the models are on the floor and producing this malevolent cackle. It is quite a stirring and frightening way to end. I think that the video as a whole is superb! Apologies to IAMDDB if I have misinterpreted the song or not got to its true heart, but I am interested to see whether Wa’hum appears on a future mixtape or album. It is a great cut from an artist who continues to move forward. She is hard to define and pin down – just what you want, really!

With great E.P.s like Vibe, Volume 2. (2017) and mixtapes like Flightmode, Vol. 4 (2018) under her belt, there is much to enjoy. I really love all of IAMDDB’s mixtapes and E.Ps. It is evident that she has grown and matured since her earliest output. There was always this quality and assurance right from the start! I do think that this year will be a very busy and successful one for IAMDDB. Still twenty-four, she has accomplished so much in a short time! I will finish off by sourcing from an interview where IAMDDB discusses the scene/community in Manchester. Before then, I want to come back to the interview from The Line of Best Fit and the subject of a debut album. It is something she has been asked about by a lot of people. I love how IAMDDB describes an album and why she cannot be rushed:

“Debrito wants to be able to harness her stardom for what it is, and create an entirely new thing, her music at the forefront. We discuss the aims and inspiration of her new album:

“I never really apply any expectation. An album is a body of work: people can commit and judge it however they see, but me personally I’m really excited because I feel like this is the best music I’ve ever made. It has structure, it flows, it has such good energy, within myself I’ve had a whole cycle of energy cleansing, realising what I like and what I don’t like. So long as people listen to this album with an open heart and an open mind, they’ll understand what it’s about.”

“So obviously there will be something for everyone, whether you’re a fan of Afrobeats, jazz, hip hop. I really tried to master a version of DDB in every genre. I think will be very interesting to see how people react to it because people haven’t really heard these sides of DDB. But when they do, it’s gonna be a global collection. And God willing, it will inspire people to delve into their own history, delve into where they’re truly from. Delve into how far you can maximise a sound, instead of just being boxed into one genre”.

PHOTO CREDIT: Matilda Hill-Jenkins

I will tip back to that interview with the Manchester Evening News from a couple of years back. I think what she said then is still relevant now regarding the people of Manchester and how there is support from her fellow artists:

“Doing things your own way’ certainly seems to be the recurring – and winning - mantra of the 2019 Manchester urban scene. Having seen so many of her musical acquaintances (Bugzy Malone, The Mouse Outfit, LEVELZ et al), achieve wider recognition over the past few years, Debrito couldn’t be prouder of the supportive, familial good vibes of the current generation of Manc urban artists.

“It is like one big family,” she enthuses. “When I was first starting out, I got so much love and support. We all want each other to succeed – there’s a real community. When Bugzy blew up, it really shed a light on this city. Because we’re outside of London, away from the industry, I think everyone here works harder, it builds you differently ‘cause you don’t expect things to happen overnight. You feel more like an underdog. And we’re all in this together”.

I do love how IAMDDB has put out this very short song (something that can fit onto a mixtape easily) to end 2020 with quite a bang! I am interested to see where she heads this year and what her strategy is regarding releasing music. She will want to perform live music and get out there as soon as it is possible. I think that we may get an album later in the year, but it is important that IAMDDB is allowed to create on her own time schedule and release an album when she sees fit. (Such an inspiring and strong artist is coming through right now). I have followed her music for a while and seen how she has evolved and developed. It is great to see. I predict that IAMDDB will be going on international tours very soon and getting a lot of love from the U.S. – she has a fanbase there at the moment; that will explode before too long! I shall leave it there. I wanted to cover a cracking track from a few days back, as I was not expecting it to come out. It suggests that IAMDDB is in a fertile and productive frame of mind at the moment. It will be wonderful to see what arrives this year from…