Meet davecreates | Putting Faith in the Work Rate
"I see it as art that's expressing myself, my observations of life, and growth, but Christianity for me is the number one thing in my life. It’s the centre of everything, so it's always going to come through my music”.
For this article, davecreates specifically asked us to present his name in lowercase.
Rapper davecreates is one to watch in the UK hip-hop scene. With his intricate lyricism and distinctive flow, he uses music as a way to allow us to view life from a perspective outside of our own. Even during the current situation where some creatives are finding it hard to keep their creative flow going, davecreates has managed to keep it consistent in his craft by producing various projects. With new singles Surf and Work Rate, davecreates has arrived just in time for the summer to give us cool sunny vibes. Classic trap and hip-hop beats with powerful bass will have you playing these tunes loud from your speaker.
The Essex based rapper vividly recalls falling in love with music at Church, and with his mum encouraging him to play the drums. Surrounded by music by Kirk Franklin and Paramore growing up, dave's discovery of grime and hip-hop wasn't until he started University in his late teens.
"Growing up I wasn't allowed to listen to secular music, so I didn't know too much about Drake...I had an understanding of the scene, but I never fully entered it for myself".
Being introduced to hip-hop led him to discover various artists, including George the Poet, who became a significant person in dave’s music discovery.
"He’d speak without any instruments and it was still powerful. It just hit me, and that's what inspired me to get into spoken word which then furthered my development as an artist in general".
Growing up, Christianity has always been an important part of dave's life which he emulates through his lyrics.
I see you as a rapper who speaks on different aspects of their life, and Christianity is one of them. How do you feel about being recognised as a Christian rapper?
"I see it as art that's expressing myself, my observations of life, and growth, but Christianity for me is the number one thing in my life. It’s the centre of everything, so it's always going to come through my music. Personally, I wouldn't call myself a Christian rapper, but a rapper that's part of the Christian Community".
There's a lot of scrutiny of hip-hop artists, like Kanye for example, who use religion in their music specifically. What’s your opinion on that?
"People are in different spaces in their walks, some are at a space where their lifestyle is more reflective than someone who's just started out in their walk. It's important that we allow space for them because at the end of the day their music is an expression of themselves".
dave is no stranger when it comes to opening up about his journey and life itself. His art shows fluidity, from touching on global issues with the single Breaking News, to expressing how his faith has helped him overcome many shadows of uncertainty. His first EP, One Day I Will Fly, is the epitome of the latter; a "story of want[ing] to achieve your dreams, [not being] there yet, but knowing that you could do it”.
Listening to the EP [One Day I Will Fly], it almost feels like a diary entry where you're letting us into your thoughts. Was that your intention?
"One thing about creativity is sometimes you create, and messages come out without you realising until you look back. So, looking back, that project was representing a diary entry of my life over those two years of just going through certain experiences, feeling down and thinking about how I would get up, and ultimately how I want to move forward with life".
How did you feel when you dropped the EP?
"Relief because I'd wanted to release a project for a long time, and with a creative project so many different factors come up. I've heard the songs hundreds of times, so I didn't listen to it for a good week or two. But I felt proud knowing that this was a dream of mine, to put out a body of work. It was just a great feeling".
Your latest single Work Rate gives us a whole different energy and vibe. What was the inspiration behind that?
"I've always wanted to work on more upbeat stuff. I love One Day I Will Fly, but that was more of an introspective project. I wanted to produce something that you could put on at a barbeque [or] the gym, that’s going to pump you up. I can also build on what I know from this song for when I write an album. It’s a learning curve, so I didn’t want to pressure myself too much to make it a certain way. I just wanted to have fun with it and put it out."
Both singles, Work Rate, and Surf are part of an upcoming project which dave has described as a "wider EP" that he is planning on releasing periodically.
Apart from the upcoming EP, what can we expect next?
I plan, God willing, a lot more work and collaborations this year. I'm trying to build a better foundation in regards to [my] brand, so having merch placed and music videos put out.
Who would be your dream collaboration?
"Sango, who’s part of Soulection. One thing about him as a producer and artist is how he innovates his sounds. I remember listening to the EP Hours Spent Loving You with Xavier Omär. I'd never heard anything like that before - how he's able to take different production elements and push forward sound. That's everything I stand for."
Speaking on future goals, the rapper touched on how inspired he is of both "boom-bap Eastcoast" and future "Westcoast sounds", with the hope to "touch base there".
"I always try to make sure that I'm thinking on a global scale with my music. As much as I love the London sound, I feel like I've always been inspired by what's happening in the States".
What else do you wish to achieve?
"I'd love to win a Grammy, to work with someone on the level of Kanye, Kendrick or Drake, and work on that level consistently. Finally, to reach a point where I'm able to take care of my family and extended family. That for me would be the biggest blessing".
With an amazing start to the year opening up for American based Christian hip-hop artist, S.O, and his growth as a musician so far, we can’t wait to see what else davecreates has in store.