DELS | |
---|---|
Birth name | Kieren Dickins |
Also known as | Kieren Gallear |
Origin | Ipswich & London, England, United Kingdom |
Genres | Hip hop |
Occupation(s) | Musician, graphics designer, filmmaker |
Instruments | Vocals |
Years active | 2005 2016–present (unknown) |
–2015 (active)
Labels | Big Dada, Ninja Tune |
Website | DELS on Big Dada |
Kieren Gallear, also known as DELS (pronounced "Dels") is a recording artist, graphics designer and filmmaker born in Ipswich, England, currently based in London. Gallear signed with the Ninja Tune imprint, Big Dada in May 2010.
DELS has released three singles, "Shapeshift", "Trumpalump" (produced by Hot Chip's Joe Goddard) and "GOB" (produced by Kwes), in 2010 and 2011. His debut album GOB was produced by Kwes, with Micachu engineering two tracks and Joe Goddard three tracks. DELS met all three producers via Myspace when the social networking site was at its peak of popularity.
DELS was described as the 'Future of UK Hip Hop' by British national newspaper The Times in their 'Ones To Watch 2011' list in January 2011. Paul Lester of The Guardian has complimented Dickins for his ability to set himself apart from many homogeneous Hip Hop artists by sounding both languid and urgent. Lester has described Dickins as "Dizzee mixed with the Björk of Vespertina". DELS has received positive media coverage from BBC Radio 1 and 6 Music DJ's such as Zane Lowe, Annie Mac, Huw Stephens, Reggie Yates, Huey Morgan and Lauren Laverne. DELS' single 'Shapeshift' was listed by Dazed & Confused and Drowned In Sound as one of their top singles of 2010.
Gallear's second album, Petals Have Fallen was released on the 3rd November 2014.
I met most of the people that contributed to this album on MySpace back in 2005. We had a page called “Loners", where myself and the likes of Kwes, Micachu, Ghostpoet, Sampha, Coby Sey, Elan Tamara and others were all featured. We always said that we'd do a proper album together eventually. Petals Have Fallen is probably the closest thing to that happening to date.