Words-Art Jefferson
Photos-Collin Knopper
Dichter is the latest powerhouse emcee to emerge from the ever popular Hip-Hop mecca of Rotterdam. The Ethiopia born, Holland raised emcee’s talent was recognized by reknowned producer G-Boah, formely of the award winning group Postmen and shortly came a collaboration and friendship that manifested into a release titled the “Horen, Zein & Voelen” EP. With a full length album in the works, Dichter is ready to solidify his name in the culture of Hip-Hop nationally and internationally.
AJ-When did you discover Hip-Hop and how did it change your life?
D-When I was young my brother came with a Tupac single of the track “Keep Ya Head Up”. That was my first encounter with Hip Hop and from that it grew. But to be honest, I first was more in to R&B like Craig David, Usher ect.. But when Hip-Hop took over, I just totally fell in love with it. It changed my life a lot because the reason I started to MC was because I had a couple encounters with the police in my neighbourhood and I just wanted to do something instead of hanging outside and doing bad things. So it really changed my life in a good way because I just had something that I could put my heart and soul in and from there it grew to what I’m doing now!
AJ-Being born in Addis, at what age did you come to Holland?
D-When I was 9 months old I was adopted from Addis and came to Holland.
AJ-You’re working with G-Boah who is legendary in Holland especially with him having done work with Postmen. Talk about how you and G-Boah met and how the collaboration came about.
D-Ah that was a funny story. I did an audition for a music school here in Rotterdam and he was a teacher at that school so when I came to the class to do my audition, I saw him and RMB, also a dear friend of mine and G-Boah, and he took my audition. After the summer-stop, I heard that I was accepted and I was in. But at first I didnt know G-Boah. I knew Mis and Shyrock but not G-Boah, so it was kinda funny when a friend of mine said “Hey that’s that dude from Postmen.” I was shocked a little bit, but then after a few weeks we just connected and when I worked on my first EP I asked him for feedback and to mix/master the cd and he felt honoured to do so. He said that he was so happy with the music that he wanted to work with me. Of course I was like “hell yeah” and so we began to work. It’s kind of funny; like it was ment to be.
AJ-You and G-Boah released the Horen, Zein & Voelen EP that was incredible. Are you two going to release a full length album?
D-Yes we are! The funnist thing is that the Horen, Zien & Voelen Ep was made in less then 3 months. We just wanted to release something because we wanted people to know our music and let them get familiar with it so when the album drops, it would be easy to swallow. We’re almost done with it. We don’t know exacly when it will drop but when it does, you are going to notice it! It’s going to be hot!
AJ-Talk about how you see the Hip-Hop scene in Rotterdam currently.
D-To be really honest, we’re just watching the States too much. We have a lot of good…no great artist but some of them are just copying styles and not being original and new. But on the other hand, there are also artists who do that but just dont get the exposure because its a small country but we’re getting there. We just need another boost!
AJ-I do have to admit that the Rotterdam scene has always been pretty strong though.
D-Yup certainly! But we got more in us.
AJ-One thing about you is that you stand out amongst many emcees. With there being so many emcees in Rotterdam, how were you able to develop your own particular flow and style?
D-I don’t know. I’m just following my heart. G-Boah also says that to me. Just be you. Don’t try to be someone else. Say your feelings, your thoughts. Like Lauren Hill says, “How you gon’ win when you ain’t right within’ (lost ones)” Say the truth and be the truth.
AJ-You also have the “Leren Luisteren” project with you and Charoon. How did that come about?
D-Ahh that was my first EP. Like I said G-Boah mixed and mastered it and Charoon and I made the beats. It started in the studio with Charoon, who’s working in Uganda right now, when we made a couple of tracks. He said “lets work on an EP, our first music cd” and so it began. We worked about 1 year on the EP and released it in November 2009. It was so special because you learn so much and also, because we released it independently. So it was a little hell sometimes but we learned al lot!
AJ-Going back to you as an emcee, talk about the content in your rhymes.
D-I always keep it close to me as a person. All of my lyrics come from real life, things I’ve experienced and saw sometimes. I like to write a song using my fantasy but I always put things in it from real life to make it live.
AJ-We were recently talking about the work that you and G-Boah have been putting in such as 3Voor12 and the Mediabedrijf van Zadkine studio sessions series. It must feel good to see the hard work paying off!
D-Yes really! Because it’s so difficult to move independently and I’m learning so much along the way. G-Boah had a major record deal with Postmen and with me, it’s just all on my own. So it’s new for us both. But we’re workers and we never give up. We keep knocking on the door until it opens wide.
AJ-Finally are there any other projects that you are currently working on and what is the future for Dichter?
D-I’m currently working on my album with G-Boah. I also got plans for a solo EP where I’m producing it all myself. That’s all for now. Just let me wrap this up and make it a classic and then we’ll see!
Dichter X Boah official website
Dichter X Boah YouTube Channel
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