Get To Know Get To Know… Dan Whitlam

1. What was the first gig you ever went to? Where was it? Who did you go with? Set the scene.
Yasiin Bay (fka Mos Def) - I saw him perform at O2 Kentish Town when I was 14 with a similarly hip hop minded friend, Dom. I say it was my first gig… I’d definitely been to a few with my dad beforehand, but in my mind this was my first real introduction to live music, as it was a gig I went to on my own volition. We both arrived being huge fans of Mos Def’s album ‘Black on Both Sides’ and we weren’t disappointed at ALL, [experiencing] a smoky room filled with hip hop lovers all screaming back his lyrics. My appreciation for lyricism and hip hop only grew from there.

2. You’re London born and raised - what do you think of the music/poetry scene there at the moment? Has it changed much since you first started out? If so, in what way(s)?
I think the music scene has changed SO much and in such a positive way. The corner of the music world I’m really interested in is this alternative hip hop space we’ve seen growing and growing. Artists like BERWYN, Kofi Stone, Loyle Carner, Lil Simz, Frankie Stew and Harvey Gunn - to name a few - are all huge inspirations for me, and for so many others in London. They’ve really created a lot of movement and noise about what, in my opinion, used to be a very overlooked part of music. I think emotional and vulnerable lyrics are finding their place within hip hop, and that’s a really brave and wonderful thing to see.

When I first began, from what I saw, the poetry scene (especially) was seen as something very alternative and other, and was therefore overlooked. It was seen as pretty uncool and something that was quite hard to access. I think with social media pushing it to the forefront of people’s feeds, and with artists like Kae Tempest, George The Poet, and all those mentioned earlier, we’ve seen a huge change from previous feelings towards poetry. The community and appreciation is ever-growing and I hope it long continues.

3. Tell us a bit about your route into music - at what point did writing and performing poetry translate into recording and releasing singles?
The first track/poem I wrote was about an incident that happened to me when I was 16. I very unfortunately was stabbed twice in the back with a screwdriver in a gang attack and my lung collapsed. Two years later I got the full story from the young man who stabbed me, and I wrote a poem that showed both halves: no malice, just the honest amount of the story.

I performed that poem at an open mic night in Dalston and a producer from BBC Radio4 commissioned it and put me on the radio. That was my first experience of recording and it spurred me on to produce and create my own tracks. The transition from my more poetic works to the more rap-based ones has been really organic, and the mix of the two is the happy point I’ve now found.

4. Your work is markedly vulnerable - in comparison to some types of rap, it leaves very little facade to hide behind. How have you found the experience of so many people connecting with your words, especially in a live setting?
It’s a really incredible experience. For me, writing began as something very personal - a way I could process events and feelings. Eventually when I (finally) plucked up the courage to put my thoughts online, I was so overwhelmed by how relatable it was and how felt it was by so many others; [I had] people saying it helped them process their own emotions and feelings. To have people laughing, crying and listening so intently during an hour-long live show is a really incredible feeling. I want people to be able to know they can be their true, authentic self with no judgement.

5. If you could only take one album, one book, and one film/tv series to a desert island, what would you choose (and why)?
Album: ‘Midnight Marauders’ - A Tribe Called Quest. It was the first ever vinyl I bought and I’ve listened to it to death. It’s one of my favourite albums ever ,and I certainly wouldn’t get bored of it on a desert island.

Book: Tuesdays with Morrie - Mitch Albom. I’m heavily biased, but I think it’s the most complete book I’ve ever read. Every life lesson is within those pages and I think once you read it, you’ll completely agree with me - everyone I’ve recommended it to has been blown away, and it’d keep me sane on the island.

Film: Magnolia -  Paul Thomas Anderson. He’s been my favourite director for as long as I can remember, and this film is one I could watch 100 times and never get bored of.

6. Who would be your dream collaborator and why?
I would say Joy Anonymous. ‘Human Again’ was such an important album for me; I found it at a really tough time in my life and it had everything I needed at that moment - it was both cathartic and joyous. Everything they deliver is so well thought out and I think the addition of my words could blend really well together. MANIFESTING IT.

7. Finally, DIY is coming round for dinner - what are you making? 
Easy. I’m very proud of my mushroom stroganoff with some white wine. We’d probably have that as the main and then - it’s slightly contentious, but - I’d make you a bread and butter pudding for dessert. It’s been my favourite since I was a little boy. 

Dan Whitlam plays a sold-out show at London’s Koko tonight (9th October). 

Tags: Get to Know, Neu, Dan Whitlam