IN CONVERSATION WITH DIGGA D

Interview by Patrick Boyle @patrickboyl

British rapper Digga D is widely considered to be one of the pioneers of the UK drill scene. At the age of 23 years old, Digga has released three mixtapes, with the latest, Noughty By Nature, debuting at number one on the UK album charts last year. His lyrical ability and effortless flow have helped him to stand out in the increasingly crowded drill scene. Despite limitations put on his creativity by criminal behaviour orders that restrict his expression, Digga continues to grow as an artist, evolving his music across genres while exploring new styles. Digga’s hotly anticipated fourth studio mixtape, Back to Square One, reflects on his growth in music, touching on sounds and topics that he grew up on that have made him the rapper he is today. 

Back to Square One is set to release August 25^th 2023.

Firstly, let’s go back to the start. What did you listen to growing up? How has this influenced the music that you make today?

Growing up I listened to a lot of music, probably some stuff I shouldn’t have been listening to but to name one artist I’d say Vybz Kartel, it’s influenced some of the language I use in my lyrics and how I approach my career in general. Vybz Kartel is quite direct and unapologetic, some traits I reckon I share with him.

Your last mixtape, ‘Noughty by Nature’ debuted at number one on the UK Album Chart. How did that feel? Did you expect it to be so successful?

To be honest obviously it was a good achievement but I felt kinda normal if I’m real, I didn’t expect it to be that successful though. The chart ting is kinda fickle, depending on the week a no.1 can be a no.8 so I try not to watch it too much.

‘Noughty by Nature’ included features from Maverick Sabre, AJ Tracey and Hotboii among others. Who would be your dream artist to collaborate with?

A proper song with Vybz Kartel. I’ve got one with him with Unknown T but the verse was all sent over and it wasn’t my actual song I just featured on it, it would be hard to actually link him or at least chat to him direct and make a song that’s mine or his I reckon it’d go wild.

What are your thoughts on the current state of drill? How has it changed since you started out?

If I’m honest my thoughts on drill right now ain’t that positive. I feel like at the start drill was more raw and authentic. Drill’s terrible now and it’s changed cause goofies are rapping and its losing originality, everything sounds the same.

over-shirt & trousers FENDI
sweatshirt RICK OWENS at Mr Porter.com
sunglasses BOTTEGA VENETA at FLANNELS

What was your motivation behind founding your own label; ‘Black Money Records’?

Ermmm, it’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a minute but one day I just decided to kick it off. As for my motivation I just wanna do things differently, across the board from the type of deals I’m giving out to the artists I work with to how we roll out and drop music and even beyond music. I got so many ideas and other creative things I wanna do outside and within music so I wanted something to house it and fully own.

If you could change one thing about the music industry in the UK, what would it be?

I would make it based more on talent. To be honest that’s not even exclusive to the UK that just goes for the industry in general. I feel like there’s a lot of stuff that gets championed and pushed that ain’t doing well cause of the actual talent within the music, but I guess people are listening so its mad, dunno who’s to blame.

jacket & trousers BOTTEGA VENETA at FLANNELS
trainers NIKE

gilet A-COLD-WALL
hoodie FEAR OF GOD at Mr Porter.com
jeans WOOD WOOD
shoes DR. MARTENS

What are your top 3 favourite albums of all time?

I don’t really do albums so to say my top 3 of allll timeeeeee is mad but for right now I would say, CM10: Free Game Yo Gotti, Survivor Of The Trenches by Yungeen Ace, and what’s that 50 Cent one, Get Rich Or Die Tryin’. 

Away from music, how would you describe your personal style? Is the fashion world something that you could see yourself moving into more in the future?

I’d say unpredictable, I might step out in a mad flamboyant outfit like that Gucci set on my Insta, or I might step out in normal Nike techs for 5 days straight. I move around a lot so its whatever I’m feeling or whatever’s around me. I defo take pride in my fashion though and I wanna do more fashion stuff in the future 100% from fashion shows to putting out my own stuff. 

Where do you want to be 5 years from now?

A billionaire.

talent DIGGA D @ Wired PR @pyr3xliving @wired.pr
photographer ALEXANDRE BEER @alexbeer7
photography assistant CALVIN CEILE @calvinceile
stylist TONY COOK @ One Represents @tonycookstylist @onerepresents
styling assistant OLIVIA LAGHI @olilaghi
beauty JOEY CHOY @ Premier Hair and Make-up @joeyjoeychoy @premierhairandmakeup
hair CHRIS KURZ @chris_kurz_
editor TIMOTEJ LETONJA @timiletonja
cover design ARTHUR ROELOFFZEN @arthurroeloffzen