South London artist Dia Day drops deeply personal debut album “Letters to L”.
Croydon born artist Dia Day has announced her debut album, Letters to L, arriving on 17 July. Having already built a reputation as a backing vocalist for the likes of RAYE, Ed Sheeran and Sasha Keable, Dia now steps firmly into the spotlight with her most personal project to date.
Across nine tracks, Letters to L traces the rise and fall of a relationship, unfolding like a diary through moments of intimacy, conflict, heartbreak and, ultimately, healing. Blending storytelling rap with neo-soul, atmospheric production and subtle classical influences, the album showcases the cross genre sound Dia has become known for drawing on South London’s rap scene alongside jazz, R&B and influences from her Polish heritage.
Speaking about the project, Dia says: “This album was never supposed to even be an album. I wrote it to shift feelings from my chest onto paper. I want it to feel real, like reading somebody’s private thoughts from start to finish. Because that’s exactly what it is.”
Dia Day sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:
1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?
I think I really fell in love with music when I realised it gave me somewhere to put emotions I didn’t know how to explain. I started writing songs as a teenager and quickly realised that the more honest I was, the more I understood myself and the world around me. And then I found that other people connected with what I was saying, and it had the power to make them feel understood too. Since then, music has become the way I process my life, and the way I document it.
2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?
I’m inspired by artists who aren’t afraid to be vulnerable. BERWYN is a huge one for me, not just musically but because of how he’s navigates the industry and stays true to himself. WHO AM I is a no-skip album for me, I have it on vinyl and I listen to it all the time. Jah Digga is another one, I love his song Grandma’s House, I’m in awe of the emotion he puts into his music and how he uses language to paint a picture.
I’m a big fan of Knucks, his storytelling is next level and I love everything he’s worked on with Venna too, his production is unreal. I also love Lola Young, especially her album This Wasn’t Meant for You Anyway. We both went to the BRIT School, she’s a couple of years older than me and I’ve always looked up to her, she’s been a big influence since I was in my teens.
My favourite artist when I was growing up was Declan McKenna. If I ever got to work with him I think I’d freak out. I’ve also always really wanted to work with Montell Fish, he reached out one time years ago but it never came to fruition.
The vocalists that I’m most influenced by are Yebba, Erykah Badu, Avery Wilson and Nai Palm. As far as the UK goes, James Vickery and Aftonaut Zu are my favourites and I’d absolutely love to work with them.
I’d also love to create with artists I’ve known for a long time, like namesbliss, Melvillous, Ace Clvrk and Akin Soul.
3. What projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?
My debut project Letters to L is finally out, and it’s a project I’ve been trying to put into the world for years. It’s about what happens when instead of putting faith in God, I put faith in a person. Each song is a letter to someone called L. It’s a vulnerable look into my experience of a relationship from beginning to end, moving from hope and desire to friction, distance and disillusionment, all the way to acceptance. I started writing some of these songs when I was 18, and I’m 24 now, so releasing it feels really freeing.
Around the album I’m putting together a series of live experiences, from intimate listening parties and acoustic performances to full-band shows where people can experience the project in different ways. Letters to L is a really personal project and for that reason, want as many people as possible to experience it in person.
4. How would you describe your sound?
I like to say I make music for tea drinkers and over-thinkers. It’s neo soul and storytelling rap with jazz influences, but that doesn’t quite encapsulate it. I care more about telling the truth than fitting into one genre, so some songs are almost entirely rap, some are stripped-back acoustic moments, and others are super jazzy and soulful, layered with harmonies and live instrumentation. I don’t try to make my music sound a certain way, whatever pours out of me is what I put out.
5. What’s your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?
It’s hard to choose one. Winning Youth Music’s Original Track of the Year for “Green Tea” last year was really meaningful and affirming because it finally felt like I was being recognised my own personal artistry. Doing backing vocals for artists like RAYE and Ed Sheeran as part of Flames Collective for the past few years has also been life changing. But honestly, releasing Letters to L might top all of that. There were so many moments where I genuinely thought this project would never come out, so finally putting out is a huge step.