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Audiophiles: Dekay & Camden Calling
It’s funny how these things sometimes work out.A chance reply to a tweet by the folks at Recharged Radio has suddenly opened me up to a whole world of wonderful people who are working with local independent musicians – and none more so that a great organisation called Camden Calling.
Camden Calling are a London based social enterprise which hosts live events that feature bands and solo artists who are homeless, vulnerable or have just fallen on hard times.
Having worked in a similar background over the year I know just how important this kind of work can be. Giving people the opportunity to be creative in their chosen field is not only amazingly therapeutic but also helps to build confidence and self-worth. I cannot state the benefits of these kind of organisations enough. They are worth every penny.
So, to make a long story short – I was looking through some of the artists that Camden Calling work with and stumbled across a young female rapper by the name of Dekay. Her bio contained the following:
This is the voice of the estates.
This is the voice of kids under pressure.
This is the voice of kids holding a future on prescription drugs.
This is the voice of retaliation.That was instantly enough to grab my attention. I have worked with a lot of young people from similar backgrounds who really struggle to express themselves in any way, shape or form. What I found was not only all of the above – but a young lady who clearly has a story to tell and has the amazing ability to tell it.
It’s even more of a coincidence when just a couple of weeks ago on this very site, I was lamenting how the commercial american rap scene was filling up with pretenders and chancers, playing gangsta while pocketing more money than the life they rap about. And this is what appeals to me with Dekay. You do not even have to be into the music she produces to feel and understand she has lived what she writes about. And those scars are deep.
I soon found myself quickly contacting Camden Calling to arrange and interview, which they kindly agreed to help me with. I spent the afternoon checking out as much DeKay material as I could lay my hands on. The following became apparent to me:
1) If I had a record label I would sign her tomorrow
2) If I was a booking agent – I would book her for some serious tour action
3) If I was a producer – I would want to work with her.This is how highly I rate Dekay at this moment. A serious UK talent.
While listening to Dekay’s music it became apparent to me that I could never write the questions that adequately represented where she comes from, that could enable you to understand her background and her influences which makes the music sound as real as it ever will. Taking this in to account I decided to let Dekay tell her own story. And this is it.
Dekay
Photo by Diana Munoz
If you ever see a twenty something female rapper with long mad hair, and a fair bit of jewellery, walking the streets of Camden trying to sell her cds then you can take an educated guess that that girl is me, Dekay.
Music & writing is my life…Things have not always been very sweet for me!
I became homeless at 16, sleeping rough a few nights and pushing my shit around in a trolley and living in a hostel. I was homeless for a few years, and then, when I finally was housed, the neighbours were crack heads. These were pretty dark and scary days, craziness all around and so much anger inside of me.
Finally I was able to move madly back to the estate that I grew up on. But the experiences I had over the last few years sent me on a musical journey. While all of the madness went on around me I put out 4 CDs; ‘From The Hostel’, ‘The Represent Mixtape’, ‘Phoenix Down’ and ‘Broken Lifts’. Listen to any of it and you will hear I write about life experiences, living with depression and occasionally vampires and serial killers.
About 3 years ago a keyworker introduced me to Camden Calling and I cannot emphasise enough how much they have helped me. I now work with a live band, Dekay & The D’Mans, and we play regular gigs at venues all over London. I am currently working on a new album ‘Darkness Visible’ and hoping that life is gonna keep getting sweeter still.
Dekay & The D’Mans – Hangover by Choosemymusic
Dekay & The D’Mans – Supervillain by Choosemymusic
Dekay – The Estates by Strummerville
And there you have it. I am so greatful for Dekay and the brilliant Camden Calling for their efforts in putting this together. I am honoured to have them both featured on this site.
Now, if you have £5.50 to hand I would strongly suggest you head over to the Camden Calling shop (link) and pick up a copy of DeKay’s Phoenix Down album and while you are at it – spend another £5.50 to buy the Camden Calling Unlocked CD to truly support this fantastic organisation.
Camden Calling also hold regular gig nights – you can find the latest dates here
About the Author: Dom
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27 Comments
Alex Thomas
As much as it pains me to say, she sounds a lot like Cher off of xfactor. Dont get me wrong it sounds great tho. I like it tho. Supervillain is good, like the funkiness of the backing track.
15 Jun 2011 10:06 am
Alex Thomas
I take everything back i said about her sounding like Cher Lloyd after hearing Cher’s leaked song – http://bit.ly/jdZqK8 Terrible!
15 Jun 2011 11:06 am
alexis brooks
Well I would say there is quite a difference between little Dekay and Cher from Xfactor but perhaps I am biased here she is with her band and then a while back without. All original work and no Cheryl Cole to make her look less like a car crash!
http://youtu.be/9jyEsc60UiA
http://youtu.be/t3_-qsjmRYU
anyway nice to see people talking about us all!!!!!!!!
15 Jun 2011 03:06 pm
tiffany
Dekay does not sound like cher fucking lloyd.. thats like blasphemy
15 Jun 2011 03:06 pm
samantha
is this article about Camden Calling or Dekay? People are not talking about Camden Calling.They are talking about Dekay.I don’t still have a clue what Camden Calling is about.This article should have just been called Dekay. Is she the only person in that organization…or are the others too crap to be mentioned? Her music is fine, nothing special though
16 Jun 2011 08:06 am
Dom
Well the article is mainly about Dekay - through way of introduction of Camden Calling. The plan is to refer back to Camden Calling as time goes on, an ongoing series if you like - featuring their work in more detail, focusing on other artists and so on.
If I was to write about all the work Camden Calling do & the artist they work with the article would be too long - I am sure you spent no more than a couple of minutes actually reading - in this fast paced internet world you just cannot write pages and pages of information. That is why links were provided - if people want to find out more they can - and from the feedback I have had most people 'get' what Camden Calling are all about and have taken it upon themselves to actually investigate further. You are actually the only person who has responded with a negative comment.
As for Dekay's music - If you have anything better to share then I would love for you to share it.
16 Jun 2011 08:06 am
paul
Top marks for The Estates
16 Jun 2011 09:06 am
saphire
I don’t listen to mass produced music, I’m into the underground scene and listen to Unsigned artists.I have seen Dekay and other Camden Calling members performing. Dekay is an extraordinary performer, as a rapper is good, better than the most female rappers but at the Camden Calling gigs I went there was another hip hop artist (I think he is also a Camden Calling member) better and more original than her.His lyrics were dope! Other Camden Calling members are really good too.My favourite track from these three has to be The Estates.She is great performing it live!
16 Jun 2011 10:06 am
alexis brooks
Saphire thanks for your lovely comments, good to hear people are geting to gigs if you email me when you are coming down next time i will pop you plus 1 on the guestlist. alexis@camdencalling.org Keep touching base here on audiophiles as Dom has said CC has quite a few special members.
16 Jun 2011 10:06 am
flips
iv met dekay and have been listening 2 her music 4 some time stll… u cant judge her on 3 tracks, shes done written hundreds of songs put out cds herself battles raps sings and produces so dont hate,i can honestly say these tunes aint even her best go listen to her other tracks cuz there aint no1 else like this rite now.
16 Jun 2011 02:06 pm
Dom
Cheers for stopping by 'Flips'
Take care
Dom
x
16 Jun 2011 04:06 pm
Zac Bloom
A friend told me to have a look at this site and I’m not disappointed! Had to make a comment on this article though. I checked out Camden Calling too and they have some really interesting stuff on youtube. But really don’t know what Paul is on about ‘cos okay, Dekay is no Amy Winehouse -but then who is? Dekay’s singing voice is gentle, pretty and a little folksy which is such a contrast with her rapping and the hard lyrics that she spits and THAT is what makes it work so well. I have to agree with you Dom she is a serious UK talent.
16 Jun 2011 03:06 pm
Dom
Thanks for stopping by Zac. Really appreciate it.
Dom
16 Jun 2011 04:06 pm
chogaia
Hello.My name is Chogaia,I’m an actress, occasional poetry writer…. and has been a member of Camden Calling for nearly 2 years. Camden Calling is not like any other organization out there, we are like a family.Camden Calling gives us the chance to get not only into the music but also arts scene. Actors, writers…Last year we recorded 2 music videos Platform 6 by DJ Slasher and Tasha Hollywood http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58dpQ210mxI&feature=related and Dirty Trains by Dekay.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJKTF408eJs&feature=related. The budget was minuscule and if you want to see the results follow the links. I’m very proud of have been a part of them.This year we have video music project (4-6 videos), Locked on Radio (12 podcasts we will be doing with St Mungos) http://camdenlockedon.blogspot.com/. We will be on air soon.So check the link out to know more about this unconventional radio show and we also have a poetry group.We are trying to incorporate music to the poems so they can be performed at the gigs too.We will also have a stall to sell our merchandise at Camden Town Market I do a lot of promotion for Camden Calling online, the newsletter etc.I have problems to leave the house in summer and though I have a lot of mental illnesses this helps me a little bit.Before Camden Calling I had no family, no friends, I didn’t have a sense of belonging…I have the most amazing friends now, I sometimes think I can achieve things. I’m alive because of Camden Calling.Alexis, our boss and friend helps us in all levels.The time and effort with no resources she puts into Camden Calling you wouldn’t believe it.I would be dead if I had to work as hard as her.She is committed 24/7 to help homeless,ex homeless, vulnerable people,people with very difficult mental illness to manage…I thank that someone like her exists. Dekay is one of the most talented hip hop artists out there and playing with a band is giving her an edge that none other hip hop artist has achieved yet.I’m not a Hip hop fan, I’m a metal chick but thanks to Dekay and Rukas (another expectational Hip Hop artist and one of the best Lyricist out there) I got into Hip Hop. Dekay is a professional, the way she moves on stage and connect with the crowd are brilliant. As a rapper exceptional.Her tracks come from her heart and she can sing.Her new upcoming album will be called Darkness Visible.When she perform that track live it gives you goose bumps and her high notes unbelievable.This girl is going to get out there.I can feel it.Pure talent.I will also going to mention another musicians like Ben is a Dark Horse.Amazing voice and play the guitar beautifully, Mourning Zombies that are preparing to start to perform at the end of this year with Ska punk, Punk, Blues and Metal. Can’t forget the D’Mans.They are the ones playing with Dekay.Amazing band and many more exceptional CC and talented CC members. Dekay Rocks,Camden Calling Rocks!
16 Jun 2011 03:06 pm
Dom
Thanks for the awesome comment - glad to hear Camden Calling are doing such fine work. There will be many more CC posts in the future I am sure.
Take care
Dom
x
16 Jun 2011 04:06 pm
Pichokis
We need someone like Dekay in the actual music charts.She is unique, a breathe of fresh air.A totally different sound.Amazing.I’m just fed up of the same old,same old.We need Dekay and her music.She is going to become a superstar.Mark my words.I can feel it.Dekay! xxx
16 Jun 2011 04:06 pm
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