Sounds of Dimsum: A Local Rapper’s Reflections on Creative Identity and Authenticity
I recently got to chat to aspiring MC & musician, DimSum, following his fifth live performance at East Anglian-based DJ & Rap event, ‘Wheel Up’; an event set on championing local artists.
Following his energetic set, finding space to interview Dimsum wasn’t easy, due to the wave of local artists and spectators who rushed to congratulate the aspiring artist. I was nonetheless proud to witness this moment of artist recognition amongst a tight-knit community of diverse musicians. Before our interview even began, it was plain to see DimSum was already making his mark.
I wanted to hear this young artist’s story, so once the crowd died down I began by asking:
Where would you say your musical/creative journey started?
Well, in high school I used to have a YouTube channel, so I've always been the creative type, and I remember this diss track I did on another form in my year. I just remember it coming really naturally; I'd write it all so quickly, the verses or whatever. I remember my mate asking ‘Did you write this?’ and ‘How did you even write this?’ I was like, I don't know, I just did it, I didn't even pay any mind to it. And now when I look back at it, it all just felt so natural.
So has music always felt like something you’re naturally drawn to?
Well… when I think of my most emotionally vivid experiences in life, I have a song or an album that I can relate that to. So, when I was going through really tough times, I can think of Seventeen by XXXTentacion, and those songs would always amplify everything so much. I think with music as well, music is vibration, right? The sound is vibration. I realise how in life, everything's like that as well: the ebbs and the flows, right? I sort of live musically. Everything I do permeates into music.
… Could you tell me a bit more about what it means to “live musically”?
I think a big philosophy of mine is: Life is like a wave. You don't try to control the ocean, right? You just ride the wave. So I'll just be riding the wave. I try to do that as best as I can.
Photo Creds: Max Ivory
So, DimSum, this being your fifth live event, how would you say your creative process has evolved?
I'd say when I first started out, it was literally just a spark of inspiration, like out of nowhere. It was like a freak accident, really. It was a normal day, I was listening to a song by Little Simz on the way back from the gym, and I just received this massive spark of inspiration that I had to get home and write — just put on a beat and start writing. So from there I started searching up ‘type beats’ of my favourite artists and seeing what came out, but creativity’s a weird thing, it sort of just comes to you — I don't know where from.
I wouldn't say any of it's mine. It's like being an instrument receiving information, and then having to interpret it in your own way. The more I’ve experienced this the more it’s allowed me to find my own style — what feels most natural.
Some days are harder than others, though, especially now that it’s been a year. I find myself always trying to innovate; discovering new words, new meanings; and sometimes beating myself up in the process.
How do you go about breaking through that creative barrier?
You definitely can't force it. Sometimes I sit there and I try to force something and nothing authentic ever comes out, so I just put it down, do something else, and go again the next day… But I'll go again every day.
… What might “something else” entail?
I believe that doing the things you know you should be doing is really important. And connected to that, for me personally, is the idea that “how you do one thing is how you do everything”. If I feel I’m being neglectful: not taking my diet seriously, or even walking with bad posture; then I think it takes a huge toll on the creative process.
It sounds to me as though you approach music, and life in general, rather spiritually. Would you agree? …
Yeah I’d say so. It's like... If how you do one thing is how you do everything, then I try to create in every aspect of life. For example, when I'm playing video games, I'll try do it creatively. I’m always thinking, ‘How can I do this my own way, in an authentic way?’ I think when you boil spirituality down, it all just comes down to authenticity, really. It's like being who you are, who you're meant to be, and walking that path.
Photo Creds: Max Ivory
Do you ever feel as though you’ve started making your mark on the scene you’re in, having an impact?
There’s been many moments where it’s felt that way, for sure. Time’s when I’ve taken a step back and thought, “Oh damn, people are actually messing with this”, and those moments always encourage me to stay authentic. Music for me is like sifting through a bunch of these ideas and filtering them through your taste, right? And I’ve found that people like what I like, which is an amazing feeling.
I've been super fortunate to have friends that are really close in the scene, like DJs. If I was put in a different flat in university, I’m not sure I’d be here right now. So everything really feels like a crazy domino effect. And the feedback I get is amazing, which is really heartwarming.
It’s clear that you're very community-oriented. Is that a big motivation in the kind of music you write/produce?
Yeah, I think one of the reasons I wanted to start this was to spread how I see things. Like music is such a powerful avenue of spreading information, right? Through music, I’ve come to realise how powerful the spoken word is. It's so contagious, right? Like saying things alone does things to people's psychology, it can rewire your brain. But then when you add feeling into it, when you add rhythm into it, it amplifies that completely. So when I look at the music scene now and see so many rappers talking just absolute BS, to be honest, the messages they’re sending the world aren’t great, man. So I really just wanted to do my part in sending a better one.
Photo Creds: Max Ivory
What is next for Dim Sum in 2025?
Just keep the train moving, I guess. I like to take things day by day and stay in the present as much as I can. I’ve come to realise that life always turns out different to what’s expected, there’s no use tryna control it. And usually, more often than people realise, it turns out better. The universe loves surprises, and I believe authenticity breeds successful surprises. Say you like being creative and providing entertainment in other people’s lives, and you stay authentic to yourself, I believe that truly brings you success; whereas, if you’re suppressing what you want to say (or do) you’re just holding yourself back, which ultimately makes life just a bit more dull. As I move forward with DimSum I just wanna focus on saying what I want to say, and staying true to myself.
And finally, if you could feature or collaborate with any artist right now, who would it be?
Damn I could give so many answers to be honest but right now it’s gotta be Central Cee cause he’s like 10% Asian and he’s just so on his game right now, for me that would just go crazy. I would love to do one with Black Boy Max as well. He’s this American streamer who produces songs with rappers on his stream, and he recently did one with Central Cee actually. But yeah, for me those two would be so sick.
… Would you say making an impact on Asian representation in music is important to you?
Oh definitely, that’s a big thing for me. Recently I’ve started having more and more Asian people hitting up my DMs and honestly that just feels so amazing. Being Chinese myself, I really feel strongly about the stereotypes and stigmas associated with Chinese and Asian people. You know, in terms of the career paths we’re pressured to go down and to ‘focus on the studies’ and whatnot. I want what I’m doing to really show people like me that this is possible, like this can be our future. That’s a huge dream of mine.
I’d like to send out a huge thanks to DimSum for sharing his reflections and experiences as an aspiring musician. It struck me while talking to him just how much we underestimate developing artists—whether due to misconceptions about the likelihood of creative success or more ingrained societal attitudes, I’m not sure. What I do know is that aspiring creatives like DimSum are far more aware of their creative process than many give them credit for, which is all the more reason to support up-and-coming talent, whether local or international.