In Conversation With DC3: Christian Rap, ‘JUDGE’ & Childhood Influences

Hailing from Northampton with Zimbabwean heritage, DC3 is without a doubt one of the fastest accelerating talents within the UK rap scene right now. Driven to express his faith and purpose in an authentic manner whilst fuelled by his Christian roots, the 18 year old’s sound mixes influences from gospel, hip-hop and jazz, a blend that has fusioned together to craft his signature sound.

Attaining a strong following on social media through teasers, viral videos, clever marketing tricks and simply put, great music, his fanbase has grown tenfold over the past year, with the young star now having 450,000 followers on Instagram and 240,000 on TikTok. Off the back of viral single ‘I Know’, Mixtape Madness caught up with DC3 to discuss his brand new track ‘JUDGE’, as well as finding out more about his background, motivation and future plans.

First of all, before we enter the music talk, can you tell me a little bit about your childhood and your background?

I’m a Christian – I feel like my environment was very much around church a lot, I feel like the way I lived my life was very much in Christian way. The music in church really inspired my mindset when it comes to hearing music. I picked up a lot of influence from church. It was all a big part of my life, especially because my dad is a pastor too – it all played into the music side of things. A lot of my childhood I remember to be in and around church when I was growing up.

What music was played around the household when you were younger and were there any standout albums or projects that had a major influence on your life?

There’s a lot of gospel artists like Kirk Franklin and Tasha Cobbs Leonard who have inspired me. I feel like the reason why there was a lot of gospel music being played is because we didn’t even have a TV when I was younger for a while, and during this time we used to listen to a lot on the radio. Even the melodies in gospel songs, they repeat a lot of choruses in gospel music – I definitely caught onto that. 

What made you want to start making music – why music and why now?

At the time when we ended up getting the TV back, I started watching a lot of CBBC, and there was a show I watched a lot called the 4 o Clock Club. Them rapping… I didn’t necessarily watch it for the music, I just liked the show. But hearing the raps, and repeating them helped me like rap music. I think that’s where the flows came from. My sister who’s older than me ended up showing me lots of rap music, especially people like Stormzy and some drill. I think that’s where the shift in sound came because I loved gospel music already, and then I tapped into the rap side from my sister. 

Your lyricism takes a religious approach that touches on your Christian roots. How important is faith to you?

I feel like it’s very important. I feel like when I first started making music – I didn’t have enough substance. I would literally catch myself saying stuff and talking a lot of money or like, things are a bit pointless. The transition to go to Christian music kind of came from realizing that if I put my faith in my music, even though some people who may not listen may not be Christian, some could be Muslims, people could be different faiths, they can all relate to something I’m saying with actual substance. I feel like when you include faith in music or anything to do with that, first it’s positive, and it can have a huge amount of impact, especially if it’s done the right way, where it’s not forcing people to believe something, but trying to find a way to relate to others. I feel like that’s the best way to explain it. 

Your discography stretches back to 2021 yet you have created major traction for yourself over the past year with the aid of TikTok and recent releases. How do you feel you’ve grown as an artist over the past four years? 

2022 was the hardest year because I kind of stopped music, but behind the scenes though I was doing a lot of freestyles and stuff still. There’ve been a lot of ups and downs, so many times I wanted to quit, but I’d also catch myself looking at the wrong reasons to do music. I started to value myself based on numbers and engagement and things like that. When things weren’t going my way, I kind of just drained myself out. It got to a point where my Mum noticed it – before she started managing me, she told me that I should do it for the reason I started it. After that, I started to chase back to starting music based on the 4 o’ Clock Club, that’s the only reason. 

I asked myself, why am I putting my whole music career on the line just for things that come and go? Because numbers come and go. I had to get out of that ‘numbers’ mindset and then just tap into music and do it because I love it. Naturally over time, especially up till now, things are starting to happen based on passion. 

You’ve got a really unique way about creating the promotional videos which I’ve seen people catching onto and trying to recreate… Some have even dubbed you the ‘master of marketing’. How did you come up with this strategy and how long did it take you to master? 

I don’t feel like I’m a master of marketing – I think the way I market is almost common sense. I can see a meme of someone doing something, and I think of ways to put my song over it. It captures people’s attention… it’s like, how do you always maintain an element of surprise and sneak in a little bit of surprise. 

The crazy thing is that I’ve seen first hand how people are now using the strategies you use, and everybody’s running up their comments saying it’s the DC3 method… are you claiming that? 

I won’t lie, it does get a little bit annoying, cause I really do think about this stuff. There’s certain ideas I can take a whole week to think of a video content idea for a 20 second video clip, and then someone will just go and copy it. But, at the same time I have to look at it in a positive way. I don’t even have to call it out, people are doing that for me, so in a way, it pushes me more to think of new things. 

Your recent track ‘I Know’ has been blowing up like crazy… chat to me about the creative process about this track, and how does it feel to be resonating with so many people? 

When I wrote the song, the jazz element in it was very much inspired by JID as I was listening to him a lot at that time. That song had been in my files for a while, so when I dropped it, I was already kind of tired of the song. I didn’t expect it to do anything really. The content marketing strategy came and I played with it, I feel people really started paying attention to it. When I was writing it, I was making sure I could relate to people, and I feel as though everyone can relate to chasing a dream. I wanted to say it in a chill way though, so people can still feel motivated but it’s less intense. 

Your new single ‘Judge’ has been doing the rounds on socials and that drops this week… the numbers you’re getting just from the teaser is already crazy.

I feel like because it’s not even out (at time of interview) it’s already a success in a way from how many people have reacted to it. It’s kind of shocking. Seeing people make videos, dance to it and everything is crazy. I’m excited for the drop. I just want people to get a lot of confidence from that song… the song is basically saying, “pipe down respectfully, what do you judge me for”. I’m saying it in a way where it’s like, I feel like a lot of people get judged, and it’s like, I’m trying to make the message of like, basically like, only God can judge, don’t you feel like you have to belittle yourself because people are looking at you sideways. I feel like getting whatever you want to get done, to be done, is the best thing to go for. That mindset could take you very far. 

Your social media presence has grown tenfold over the past year and you’re still only 18 years of age… has it felt overwhelming at times or has it all been manageable? 

I say because I’m in college, it gets a bit too much sometimes. I try to stay as consistent as possible, as many times as I can in a week without overloading follows. The growth that has happened… I try to not watch it too much or pay attention because I don’t want to get into the state of watching the numbers too much, just like I did in 2022. It’s definitely important I have the right people around me as I’ve done it all independently and I make sure I make all the right decisions. 

Going forwards, what is the big aspiration for you / end goal?

I think, just to let as many people know about God’s work, because I feel like, even, as I said, with the numbers and like the fame or like the achievements that can happen, but I know I’ll never be satisfied. I feel like just hearing something positive and someone changing something in their life based on what they’ve heard. I wouldn’t want my music to be all about me, I want it just to go to God like I want people to see my music, but not see me, but see God in it, and just take something positive for me. I feel like that’s the end goal. I feel like the only thing I find peace in is at least knowing that someone is making a positive change based on how God inspired me to like to do my music. I think that’s what it is.

Outside of music, what do you like to do? 

I feel because I’m so hungry, it’s just music, man. Everything I watch. If I’m watching videos online it’s usually about music, or I’m listening to type beats. If I’m doing my work, I’m listening to music. I’m just surrounding myself with music. 

What is the meaning of life for you? 

I think being kind – I feel like kindness goes such a long way. Kindness works either way, and it could just help someone. You never know when it is your last chance to speak to someone – you never know what could happen. They could pass away that day, the next or anything. I just feel like acts of kindness in every single way and always trying to be grateful. There’s just too many things, but kindness is the most important thing.