U.K.-Based Artist IAMDDB on Creating Urban Jazz and Her India Tour
The Angola-origin artist based in Manchester has so far performed in Bengaluru and Mumbai, with shows in New Delhi and Goa this week alongside South Africa’s DJ Lag
Angola-born, U.K. artist IAMDDB live at Ultra Soulflyp in Mumbai.
Diana De Brito, the singer-rapper better known as IAMDDB, first performed in Mumbai in March 2019 and while that was more steeped in brand activation, the artist is back for more this week, already knocking down performances in Bengaluru and Mumbai.
As part of event series Ultra Soulflyp, IAMDDB – along with South African gqom artist DJ Lag – will perform in New Delhi on February 24th and in Goa on February 25th. So far, IAMDDB says the reception to her style of jazz-meets-hip-hop has really opened her mind. “100 percent, Bangalore was crazy. They just wanted to turn up. Mumbai was more, like, reserved. They wanted to listen more than move,” she says.
Known for songs like “Shade,” “Pause,” “XOX” and the aptly titled “Urban Jazz,” IAMDDB brings a mixed dose of punchy yet laidback, wavy tunes, which translate in different ways in the club. The setlist in India includes new and old material across the five volumes of songs she’s put out. “It’s important for me as a musician to gauge how people are receiving the new music and so far it’s been so positive. It’s just so interesting to see how people really digest music in different ways. They may not be as expressive, but they are always very engaged,” the artist says about the reception to her music in India so far.
Urban jazz is a term that IAMDDB has stuck to, because she says it represents who she is. “I put jazz into everything I do. Urban jazz allows me to translate jazz in the most authentic way, to me and to the masses in a way that they can digest in a more commercial way,” she adds.
An intention to “honor the roots of the music” is at the center of the artist’s goals and that means everything else can take its time. Being an independent, self-funded artist who moved to the U.K. from Angola, IAMDDB says she’s not in a rush to be seen or be heard. She says, “I’m not in a rush to be number one.”
Up next, there’s a skincare brand and a clothing line in the works from IAMDDB. And also, of course, music in the form of Volume Six of her work. “If the fans are lucky, they’ll even get volume seven. I’m really just trying to come back into this game and really solidify why I am who I am, both sonically and visually,” she adds.
Get tickets for Ultra Soulflyp in New Delhi and Goa.
