The Records That Made Me: Dua Saleh

With The Records That Made Me, VF uncovers the vinyl releases that have influenced and shaped our favourite musicians, DJs and artists.

Dua Saleh is a true multi-hyphenate. Rising to prominence through their role as Cal Bowman in the TV series Sex Education, the Sudanese-American musician, actor, poet, and activist has been releasing a forward-thinking blend of rap, indie, and R&B since their standout 2019 debut EP Nūr.

Saleh’s early connection to music traces back to their childhood in Asmara, Eritrea, where they were first exposed to traditional music on vinyl. “There were cassettes and vinyl strewn about in people’s homes as relics of their own experiences. Growing up in East Africa offers you a wealth of music to delve into, especially because of the abundance of amazing art to appreciate there,” Saleh recalls. “As a result, you’re able to grasp the concept of collecting from a place of heritage.

For Saleh, physical formats like vinyl are an extension of an artist’s craftsmanship. “Having music that you can hold on to, in physical form, allows you to appreciate the tenderness and care that artists put into their craft. The mixing and mastering for vinyl and cassettes are different, offering you more breadth and range for you to appreciate the music,” they say.

Seeing their own music pressed onto vinyl for the first time was a deeply emotional experience. “I almost cried, honestly. I never thought I would be a part of the music community in this way. I was always a listener and didn’t even know I could sing or write songs. I couldn’t contain my astonishment, I could barely breathe from all of the excitement”.

Now, on the cusp of releasing their highly anticipated debut album, I SHOULD CALL THEM, via Ghostly International, Saleh is excited to use vinyl as a narrative extension of their music again. “My favourite part of vinyl is the internal storytelling. In the vinyl releases that I’ve put together in the past, I’ve also offered booklets full of lyrics and other information. I’m so excited for people to get their hands on the I SHOULD CALL THEM vinyl.”

Read on to discover the records that made Dua Saleh.

D’Angelo

Voodoo

(Virgin)

This is a staple for R&B listeners and ushered in a sound that has influenced our entire musical ecosystem. There’s a percussive and ancestral rhythm to this body of work that’s in tune with a corporal state of being that we’re all familiar with. Something out of reach for most people that he pulls off with a self-assuredness.

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Fleetwood Mac

Fleetwood Mac

(Reprise)

One of one album. The emotions and songwriting are more potent on this record than on any other. It changed the indie and pop landscapes beyond comprehension and is inspiring to me.

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Bon Iver

Bon Iver, Bon Iver

(4AD)

These songs have prompted a special genre mixture in the Midwest. Justin Vernon is an incredibly gifted artist who broke through the raucous musical sentiment that was apparent in the early 2010s. This album is special and showcases his sonic complexity.

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Missy Elliot

Under Construction

(Elektra Records)

These songs remind me of my childhood. Finding dark skin representation on screen of a fem artist only to find out later that they’re sapphic and in a relationship with a woman was healing for my soul.

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Solange

True

(Terrible Records)

This record made me because of the way that it influenced the production in alternative Black spaces and also because of the vibrant colours and Indigenous textures that were present from a Black American and African point of view. This is such a beautiful record.

Dua Saleh’s I SHOULD CALL THEM is released via Ghostly International on October 11. Pre-order it now.

Read more of The Records That Made Me series here.