British Indian artist, DJ and producer Kingdumb has been developing his distinctive approach to electronic music since his early teens, combining elements of pop, EDM and hip-hop with infectious rhythms and bass-driven production. Born in Birmingham and now based in Swindon, he has independently accumulated over 400,000 streams and received support from BBC Radio, establishing himself as an emerging voice within the UK's electronic music scene.
His latest single 'Out To All Crew' is an energetic celebration of community, individuality and the unifying power of music. Built around an inclusive message, the track brings together diverse influences and pays tribute to people from all walks of life, encouraging listeners to embrace their differences and find common ground on the dancefloor.
So with the new single out now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The computer. It’s the ultimate instrument! Although I did learn harmonium for a while, before starting music production. I was always trying to play scales as fast as I could, but I moved out of town and had to leave a great teacher I had.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I grew up around a lot of Bollywood stuff, but actually it was rave music / Jungle that got me hooked on electronic music. I heard a Prodigy track when I was about 6 years old and like what the hell is this, the format was so different, and the sounds they used were unlike anything I’d heard before and it grabbed me. I moved onto Jungle because of one of my cousins who used to get tapes from his people. This was all before I was a teenager. Then I opened my musical tastes and followed UK bass music from that point.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Haha, it was Rave Generation 2. I saw it in a shop called Woolworths and begged my parents to get it for me. I’ll never forget the moment when I saw it on the shelf, it had a green case and was a double CD. I wish I still had the original CD and case, I’m a bit sentimental about meaningful things.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Good question, that’s a hard one. It probably has to be Firestarter by the Prodigy. When it came out it was heavy, dark and cool as hell. I saw the evolution from them making underground stuff to becoming household names, and I remember thinking they pushed the dial even more forward, it was a progression in their sound, and it sounded like nothing else at the time.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Yes, a couple of different ones. I have to have coffee when in the studio, and be clutter free in my mind. Once my coffee is made I switch everything on and shut off from the world, I enter a new plane. Often I’ll go out and make music in busy areas. I like feeding off the energy of stuff around me, it affects the art, all the different energy. I whack my basic setup in a bag, buy my coffee then headphones on. As soon as the headphones are on it’s time to be a chef.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I’ve been listening to a lot of Chimpo and also Devilman. Both of their wordplay is extra terrestrial. In terms of music, I’ve been listening to a guy called HLZ a lot, he’s a dope DnB producer, and also Ivy Lab too. They both have distinct sounds that I really like. I’m fussy with what I like to be honest, and my fave stuff pushed boundaries.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Probably Calvin Harris. I love his music, he’s a pop icon and I think my stuff would be a good contrast to his stuff.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
The therapeutic effects. When we are in flow state the brain repairs itself, and you enter a state similar to Moksh as it’s known in India. It’s basically a state close to divinity / the source truth. I don’t care about money, or fame. It’s the act of creation I love.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Feeling like I’m so close to people witnessing my output on a mass scale, pushing and pushing for years, and a significant life change around the corner. I have to remind myself, it’s about the journey, not the destination.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Create create create, and finish tracks. Don’t just start ideas and leave them in a half finished vault.
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Kingdumb's new single 'Out To All Crew' is out now. Check it out in the player below.