Between 2007-2012 (maybe even into 2013) you couldn’t tell me anything about N-Dubz. I would religiously find myself defending them in every way possible yet years later (and still no new music) I find my love for the band resurfacing and memories of my teenage years flooding back to me.
Before the streaming systems, we’ve come to know and love today such as Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal etc were as mainstream and engraved within our society, I can recall relying on whatever mobile device I had. Replaying N Dubz over and over on YouTube and iTunes to hear my favourite tracks, even reminiscing to Channel U, MTV Base and 4Music and pronouncing myself as their biggest fan.
Recalling these moments of my life over 10 years on isn’t bittersweet, it’s outright hilarious. To think a 14-year old me was randomly obsessed with a musical trio from Camden Town, North London – and area with no significance to me at all just makes me smile when I think about it. I’d like to say the difference was because it was the beginning of the digital era we know of today but that only plays a small percentage of it.
The internet was is a brutal place, but stan culture allowed people to connect their illness’ and spread the passion together – though there would always be some people who would take their devotion too far. I made it known my love for N Dubz online and offline, entering competitions, buying their merchandise, attending concerts and festivals that they were booked at and so much more!
N Dubz at the time was a marmite band and even a guilty pleasure to some. Though I find it hard for people to deny their overall musical achievements within the music industry. In just 11 years they achieved eight top 40 hits on the UK Singles Chart across three studio albums, became mini television stars with features on Duplicate Drama from Tulisa and Dappy; to landing their own reality TV show Being… N Dubz on 4Music.
Reflection is a beautiful thing and memories are sacred to each person who holds them, my role as an N Dubz stan may decrease with age or it may stay stagnant, but it is part of my identity that has been for so long that it’s only right I get to pay homage.
Lastly, to all my family, friends and anyone who knew me at the time – thank you for riding out that journey with me. Thank you for attending shows and concerts that I dragged you along to. Thank you for sticking through my madness and patiently waiting for me to see the light. Stan culture is a sickness and I wish I knew the cause but what I do know and I’m grateful for is growth.
Duku Yourself x