Black History Month Producer Spotlight: DaVinChe

Born and raised in Lewisham, DaVinChe has had an undoubted influence on the sonics of multiple UK Rap genres. Originally coming up in the mid 2000’s, he helped popularise R&G as a subset of Grime, creating an inimitable sound that has seen him work with a plethora of the UK’s finest exports.

From era defining hits such as Kano’s ‘P’s and Q’s’, to an ushering in of a new generation with Mez and Stormzy’s ‘Lex Luther’, DaVinChe’s signature brand of warped basslines and hard hitting percussion still feel as avant-garde to this day as they did two decades ago. A case in point of this is Chip’s recent track ‘DaVinChe Code’ – a recent ode from a legend to the producer’s iconic sonic style that demonstrates the cultural weight and significance it still holds.

His CV is not purely limited to Grime and its sub genres however, having worked with the likes of M.I.A, Estelle, and Michelle Gayle amongst others, tapping into the sounds of UK Funky, R&B, and Garage in the process. DaVinChe is classically trained in piano and guitar which shines through in the musicality of his production across his career as well as his solo project, ‘Carbon Hearts And Dying’, which is inspired by losing his possessions in a house fire and the subsequent contemplation of the human psyche.

With a collaboration roster that includes Skepta, Ghetts, Jme, Giggs, and Wiley, it is fair to say that not many have had as big of an impact on UK Rap and its core sound. His production epitomised an era of Grime music, and has served as the backbone to a string of huge hits. DaVinChe managed to break new ground in Grime and his beats still maintain their futuristic sound, cementing himself as a pioneer of Black British music.