Interview: ThisisDA

In a UK hip-hop scene proud of its sense of community, ThisisDA is something of a lone gun. Barely into his twenties, he’s unusually focused for such a young artist, making an album and two EPs in a little over two years.

“I don’t really keep friends, man. I’m notoriously reclusive,” says the Bristol-based rapper. “My main motivation is knowing that opportunities will not simply fall into my lap. Doing work brings more work in.” When asked if he feels kinship with any other local artists, he replies: “I can’t say I do. Music has been parallel to my social existence. I stay out of everyone’s way, and they stay out of mine.”

Real name David Aidoo, he grew up in “various places in London and the suburbs of Bristol,” and started writing lyrics and recording at the age of 14. Three attention-grabbing early singles – Lifers, Gridlock, Trippin‘ – were followed by a 17-track debut album in 2014. A collaboration with Mancunian beatsmith Mankub, Super Arkane was praised by music bloggers for its polished beats, sophisticated rhymes and a complex flow that has seen him compared to everyone from Kendrick Lamar to KRS-One.

If the boom bap production harked back to hip-hop’s so-called golden age, the lyrics had a soul-searching quality that’s very now. “I get the ‘classic but contemporary’ feedback often. Cool I suppose…I go for beats that give me an instant melody or feeling, so I don’t need to think too hard about what I’m gonna write. It’s just expression at the end of the day. Keeping it natural and felt, as opposed to contrived and super thought-out. An experienced listener can tell the difference.”

Since then, he’s worked with a few different producers: and last year’s Based Off Black was more eclectic as a result. Does he write bars to music or are all his lyrics down on paper waiting for the perfect beat? “I’m always jotting down punchlines and witty stuff to use at my disposal when composing new verses, but I like to construct each track afresh, so it fits the instrumentation smoothly. That’s imperative.” 

This month sees the release of 21 and Done, a brand new EP which features his first production credit on the track 12 by 8. Co-production is something he hopes to do more of in future. “It’s fun,” he says, “I’ve done a few tracks here and there but 12 by 8 was the first thing that sounded solid enough to rap over.”

Both EPs feature a mix of social comment and dark introspection that make David Aidoo sound like a young man with a heavy weight on his shoulders. “I’m stuck inside my head, that’s all. I don’t know, serious when I gotta be, but mostly just chilling.” And what about that EP title, 21 and Done? “It’s dark, man”, he replies ominously, “It’s exactly what you think.” 

While he’s every bit the restless artist – “I can’t wait to release this EP and let go of this part of my life” – ThisisDA handles his career more shrewdly than most. He’s been praised online by Complex and MOBO, has opened for Angel Haze and Grandmaster Flash, and his appeal beyond hip-hop was demonstrated by an NTS Radio slot courtesy of alternative music collective Howling Owl.

There’s a radio session for Tom Robinson at BBC 6Music coming up this month, then he’s booked to play Farmfest in July – both of which should extend his audience still further. Such things can be milestones in an artist’s career but for whatever reason, ThisisDA is phlegmatic: “I’m not into hype or highlights,” he says. “It’s all an experience.” 

21 and Done is out in June. ThisisDA plays Farmfest on July 29 & 30. For more information visit itsthisisda.com

Top photo by Beth Sheldrick