Inspired #0004 - Dámì Sule

Manchester poet & rapper Dámì Sule dropped his latest project 'Rough Canvas' last week, we had a sit down with him to discuss what inspires him -

Who are you top three musical inspirations and why?
Fela Kuti - Fela was a pioneer, activist and musician who left an incredible history. He performed with elegance and energy and he stood for what he believed. There’s nothing more inspiring than a man who stood for what he believed even when the floor beneath him was shaken.
Lauryn Hill - Lauryn Hill’s music have remained timeless, she is so skilled on so many levels, her love for her craft is inspiring.
Kojey Radical - Kojey has broken boundaries that were not meant to be broken. He is revolutionising a genre of his own and that is a big inspiration in remaining original and authentic.

Is there a certain film that inspires you and why?
The Pursuit of Happiness
It's one of my favourite movies, it is so relatable to our uniform life on how we are a constant pursuit for happiness.

What city do you find the most inspiring and why?
Lagos, Nigeria is the most inspiring city has it is so populated and despise the evident poverty and hardship, people go about their day with faith while working hard every single day.

Who is the most inspiring person to you and why?
I don't believe I have just one inspiring person. The common man and women are my inspiration, those that serve and work daily for the will of others eg nurses doctors firemen etc,

How would you like to inspire people?
I aim to inspire people by reflecting the power of perseverance, on how whatever circumstance we are given or placed in we can still blossom and be great.

What inspired the record?
Through the understanding that i am a flawed person but still be able to produce something beautiful, i want people to understand nothing is perfect and that is the reality but that does not serve as an hindrance to succeeding.

'Rough Canvas' is a powerful collection of ten tracks that encompasses everything from love, social imbalance, racial prejudice, faith, ambition, false representations of the self, connection, disconnection, and the tireless search for freedom. And it is out now.