Dictator

Meet Dictator. Hip hop beats, funk, jazz and indie collide to create one of Scotland’s most fiercely original bands. This West Lothian four-piece have consistently defied expectations of what a guitar band should be, unafraid to experiment and push their sound into exciting new territories, without ever taking themselves too seriously. Citing influences as widespread as Gorillaz, Alt-J, Nas, Action Bronson, DJ Premier and Portishead, they’re a band driven by brash hip hop beats, boom-bap stylings and funky basslines as much as they are anthemic choruses and indie licks. Now, after years of honing in on their sound, they’re a band who are well and truly hitting their stride. A personal request from fellow genre-defiers Young Fathers to support them in 2024 was the catalyst for this renewed sense of purpose and revitalised thirst for their craft. Championed by tastemakers at BBC 6 Music, their latest EP, wryly titled ‘Middle of the Road’, exhibits this perfectly. Despite what its title suggests, it’s a fresh, vibrant collection emboldened by the influence of 90s hip hop, an inventive use of samples, tongue-in-cheek lyrics and undeniable swagger. Of course, they may be rooted in Scotland, but the Scottish music scene does not define this four-piece, nor does it confine them. Their bold and audacious style has garnered a growing, loyal fanbase that now stretches far beyond the confines of their hometown.