“My Art is not a Joke, it’s Literally my Legacy”: Iamddb is Completely Independent and Creatively Unshackled
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Loading... - Sarah Kwaka
- 17 May 2023
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Prior to her upcoming album, Mixmag interviews the Angolan artist about her inspirations, the stagnation of contemporary music, and the artistic possibilities that come with being independent. When IAMDDB (real name Diana De Brito) was a four-year-old living in Lisbon, she would frequently gravitate towards a particular room in her childhood home. This room belonged to her father, a musician who played in an Afro-jazz band, and it served as his studio where he recorded music and listened to tracks from his extensive vinyl collection.
"That room was my favorite place to be. I always wanted to be surrounded by wires, guitars, and instruments," IAMDDB recalls. "Looking around, I felt a connection to that energy. It resonated with me."
It was also in that room that her father introduced her to his favorite music. His record collection encompassed various styles, genres, and artists, ranging from Nat King Cole, Whitney Houston, Miles Davis, Mariah Carey, and Boy George to classical music, Afro soul, Afro jazz, and the "Angolan frequencies" of her heritage.
"My dad made sure I was exposed to a diverse range of sounds from around the world," she explains. "This not only influenced my musical style, but also the message behind my music. In an era where music is often disposable, understanding the significance of the message helped me establish a strong foundation and connection to my artistic vision."
Now, after more than two decades and five studio albums, with the sixth soon to be released, IAMDDB has forged a distinctive career path of her own. At the age of 21, she signed with a record label in 2017 but has since become fully independent. In a recent YouTube video, she revealed her decision was influenced by a distressing situation that affected her mental well-being, where she found herself surrounded by adult men who not only failed to protect her but also violated her spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally.
As the CEO of her own company and record label, WAEV Entertainment, IAMDDB has expanded her horizons. In addition to her music, she has launched her own clothing line and is preparing to release cosmetic products. This newfound independence has also granted her complete control over her musical output. Her upcoming album, Volume.6 titled 'I Love To Make Boys Cry,' is her most ambitious project yet, incorporating a wide range of genres and influences. From the Afro jazz and soul that shaped her upbringing to the drum 'n' bass vibes of her recent single 'Where Did The Love Go?' and the trap music for which she is known, the album showcases the breadth of IAMDDB's artistic range.
