Inspired #134 - Dom Champ
Brighton based rap/spoken word artist Dom Champ has just released his latest track ‘Slow’ - which provides us with a taste of his upcoming EP. He took a moment to talk to us about the inspirations behind the track.
Who are you top three musical inspirations?
Would be Mac Miller, Kendrick Lamar and Ocean Wisdom. These are three of my favourite artists but all three get me wanting to write when they out out a new track. I want to make music like Mac Miller, chilled, part sung so that's my overall goal for direction. Kendrick has that story line and lyrics which keep you thinking, he's definitely the writing inspiration! Then Ocean Wisdom has the undeniable technique - he mentions in a fee of his raps about building up a lyric library and practicing every day. He really works at the craft and I'm massively inspired by that.
Is there a certain film that inspires you?
The boat that rocked has always been a favourite film and the music/lifestyle featured throughout is very cool and jeeze, literally best cast ever. I am influenced by that older style music too so definitely this.
What city do you find the most inspiring?
I have to say, I'm not a big traveller, but I love Amsterdam for the obvious reasons. More so 12/13 years ago than now but it's pretty cool.
Who is the most inspiring person to you?
I'd have to say my wife. I always wrote music, played around and wished I could take it further and without my wife that wouldn't have happened. Someone encouraging you to book studio, put yourself out there etc when you're not normally the type is huge. Genuinely owe it all to her.
What were your inspirations when writing the track?
This track is from an upcoming EP and there's a lot of light and dark dualities. The track is about my progress in music and in life and a literal showcase of that with my most technical/speedy raps yet. I acknowledge where I am at positively but ever present is a sense of melancholy, feeling like progress is slow or I'm hugely held back by my demons. The technical element definitely came from Ocean Wisdom trying to march his speeds. My previous releases have been more pop rap too so this was me wanting to put out that real UK rap content and show off something a bit different.
How would you like to inspire people?
I would love to inspire people to find confidence in themselves. I put a lot of messages in my lyrics, more will come out of the next EP but I certainly have my world views and I want to share them. I want to encourage people to think critically, look around at the situation we're in terms of big subjects like the welfare of the planet and its people, the issue of economy over people etc. I definitely want people to walk away and think, that's why each track is filled with duality. Not many of these big subjects, even including being confident and happy with your progress, are simple. There's two sides to consider to everything!
Also I have had my demons and I'm using my music to work through them, so I hope along the way people will connect to that and be able to use my music in some tiny way to work through whatever it is they need to.