Dirty Dike is a rapper and producer.

That ^ is arguably the best way… Read Full Bio ↴Dirty Dike is a rapper and producer.

That ^ is arguably the best way of explaining what he does in a short sentence. Thing is, Dike doesn’t really do labels or pigeonholes and a short conversation with him would certainly be enough to make that crystal clear.

Just ask any musician he has ever shared a studio or stage with. Sure, a banger is a banger, it comes out of the speakers nice, but, wouldn’t it be better with a skewed sample of Daphne And Celeste whooping every four bars? Probably. Wouldn’t it also be better if the verse were delivered atop a speaker stack, fabulous shirt swinging in time with the strobe lights?

It probably would you know…

Dirty Dike is obsessed with a handful of things. These things are instrumental in shaping his everyday and contribute significantly to the music he makes.

He is obsessed with discovery, and adventure, and debate, and late nights either immersed in derelict bliss or surrounded by glitching and bleeping synthesisers in his studio. He is obsessed with railway lines, and painting, and taking pictures, but most significantly, he is obsessive in his pursuit of writing, recording and producing music that extends beyond the limits of the aforementioned single sentence up ^ there and, put simply, this is why he doesn’t sound much like anyone else.

The best part about it all is that his efforts have captured the hearts and minds of fans across the world and he is both humbled and thankful for the support.

It seems people hear something in Dike’s psychedelic voice that they can truly associate with. Whether it’s the joy, the suffering, or something in-between. One thing is certain, Dirty Dike’s derivé shows no signs of slowing anytime soon.

Dike’s fifth solo album ‘Acrylic Snail’ is out now. A 14-track homage to the industrial estates and railway lines that raised him; an experiential body of work documenting the feeling of those times. Of growing up in raves. And the tumultuous and unforgiving journey out of them.

self portrait
Dirty Dike Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

This is my self portrait
Wrapped up warm in my north-face
Gliding through storms and doorways
And rhyme 'til my jaw breaks
Sure mate a vision of me
With the television smashed and the sizzling beef
And I'm steady living, trapped in the rhythm and beat
And my head is spinning, smacked out hitting the weed

And I guess it isn't bad if it helps me adjust
But I'll tell you it's mad when it dwells in my trust
And affect it, and that's a lesson mate use it
Seems that I have to be depressed to make music
Unless my face cubic, I'll break out the surface
Never played stupid, my guessing games worthless
As I step on the wetter rain dirt
Its a lot more certain I never played her kid
One step ahead of my definite loss
Trying to fight my battles but the weapon is blocked
Am I ever going to be the main game or a weather turner
Never going to be my own brain or a clever learner
I'll pedal further to make heads turn
I'm hooked like a maggot or a baked dead worm
So is this hatred, happiness all maybe fake
Confused by my life but I play the game
And stay the same insane in my crazy brain
And paint my name on walls to claim the fame --
It's plainly lame

I can't find the reflection, the puddle's been clouded
Blind from deception, another kid frowning
Why must I step with the rubble and the sand dunes
My mind seems fucked from the trouble and the bad news
My dad used to say to keep sane; keep up James and don't live the clean way
But he's blatantly strange, faking his ways
From a crazy age I saw him pacing away
Chasing the pathways, lost with the lights out
Raving with class mates, cost of a life now
The lessons learnt from the freshly burned victim
I once beat a kid to the ground then I kicked him
Switch the sickness to friends and favours
Strong as a shield as I bend your sabres
Free from the jail, the dark and dark fader
Tarnish my past, live fast and laugh later
This is dark, my answers scarce paper
Gassed in the last chamber, enhance my hearts neighbour
But thats my soul or my brain, or the golden maze of my swollen veins
Or my body parts drenched in the rain as the lorries pass
Motorways stain fake like a bobbies mask

Got to pass this rap in a sore state
I'd love to be free but I'm trapped in my portrait

Overall Meaning

In Dirty Dike's song "Self Portrait," the rapper shares a personal reflection of himself through vivid imagery and raw lyrics. He describes himself wrapped up warm in his North Face, gliding through storms and doorways, and rhyming until his jaw breaks. He admits to being trapped in the rhythm and beat, relying on drugs to help him adjust, and feeling like he needs to be depressed to create music. The line, "I can't find the reflection, the puddle's been clouded, blind from deception," suggests a loss of self in the midst of chaos and external pressures.

Dirty Dike also touches on his relationship with his father, who advised him to stay sane but led a questionable lifestyle himself. The rapper reflects on his own actions, admitting to past violent behavior towards others and questioning the authenticity of his happiness. He ends the song by stating that he is "trapped in [his] portrait," unable to break free from his struggles and past mistakes.

Overall, "Self Portrait" is a deep and introspective track that delves into themes of identity, purpose, and existential questioning. Dirty Dike's gritty and honest delivery adds to the intensity of the lyrics, making it a memorable and thought-provoking piece.

Line by Line Meaning

This is my self portrait
I am portraying myself through this song.

Wrapped up warm in my north-face
I am resilient and tough like a North Face jacket.

Gliding through storms and doorways
I am moving through life with ease, even in difficult situations.

And rhyme 'til my jaw breaks
I am dedicated to my craft of rapping and will continue to do it until it physically harms me.

Sure mate a vision of me
People may have a preconceived notion of who I am.

With the television smashed and the sizzling beef
I am living a rebellious and chaotic lifestyle.

And I'm steady living, trapped in the rhythm and beat
I am consumed by my music and it controls my life.

And my head is spinning, smacked out hitting the weed
I am struggling with drug use and its effect on me.

And I guess it isn't bad if it helps me adjust
I justify my drug use because it helps me cope.

But I'll tell you it's mad when it dwells in my trust
I acknowledge that my trust in drugs is unreasonable.

And affect it, and that's a lesson mate use it
I have learned from my mistakes and hope others can too.

Seems that I have to be depressed to make music
I feel that my best music comes from a place of sadness.

Unless my face cubic, I'll break out the surface
I will only break out of my sadness if I am able to express it through music.

Never played stupid, my guessing games worthless
I am honest with myself and do not play games.

As I step on the wetter rain dirt
I am not afraid to face the hardships of life.

Its a lot more certain I never played her kid
I am confident in my choices and do not follow anyone else's lead.

One step ahead of my definite loss
I am trying to stay ahead of my problems but fear the inevitable loss.

Trying to fight my battles but the weapon is blocked
I am struggling to overcome my obstacles.

Am I ever going to be the main game or a weather turner
I wonder if I will ever have control over my life or if I am just along for the ride.

Never going to be my own brain or a clever learner
I struggle to understand myself and the world around me.

I'll pedal further to make heads turn
I am determined to succeed and make a name for myself.

I'm hooked like a maggot or a baked dead worm
I am addicted to my lifestyle and cannot see a way out.

So is this hatred, happiness all maybe fake
I question whether my emotions are genuine or just a facade.

Confused by my life but I play the game
I am unsure of my purpose but continue to live my life as best as I can.

And stay the same insane in my crazy brain
I am comfortable with my mental health struggles and do not feel the need to change.

And paint my name on walls to claim the fame -- It's plainly lame
I am aware that seeking fame through criminal behavior is a foolish endeavor.

I can't find the reflection, the puddle's been clouded
I am having trouble understanding who I am and what I stand for.

Blind from deception, another kid frowning
I am misguided and do not know who to trust.

Why must I step with the rubble and the sand dunes
I am questioning why I have to endure so much pain and suffering.

My mind seems fucked from the trouble and the bad news
I am struggling with mental health issues due to the difficulties in my life.

My dad used to say to keep sane; keep up James and don't live the clean way
My father had his own struggles and was not always the best role model.

But he's blatantly strange, faking his ways
My father was not genuine and did not always practice what he preached.

From a crazy age I saw him pacing away
I have been exposed to negative influences from a young age.

Chasing the pathways, lost with the lights out
My father was lost and did not know what direction to go in life.

Raving with class mates, cost of a life now
My father's reckless behavior had serious consequences and negatively impacted his life.

The lessons learnt from the freshly burned victim
I have learned from others' mistakes and misfortunes.

I once beat a kid to the ground then I kicked him
I have made mistakes and acted violently in the past.

Switch the sickness to friends and favours
I have grown and now choose to help others instead of causing harm.

Strong as a shield as I bend your sabres
I am tough and able to handle criticism or attacks from others.

Free from the jail, the dark and dark fader
I am moving past my struggles and finding freedom from my problems.

Tarnish my past, live fast and laugh later
I am not defined by my past and choose to live life to the fullest.

This is dark, my answers scarce paper
I do not have all the answers and my situation is difficult.

Gassed in the last chamber, enhance my hearts neighbour
I am motivated to improve my life and be a better person for those around me.

But thats my soul or my brain, or the golden maze of my swollen veins
I am not sure what drives me and am trying to understand myself better.

Or my body parts drenched in the rain as the lorries pass
I am vulnerable and exposed, facing the struggles of life alone.

Motorways stain fake like a bobbies mask
I see the world as fake and superficial.

Got to pass this rap in a sore state
I must continue to create and produce music even when I am in pain.

I'd love to be free but I'm trapped in my portrait
I want to escape my problems but am weighed down by my past and my self-portrayal through my music.

Contributed by Charlie I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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