In the ever-expanding universe of Nigerian talent taking global stages by storm, Deela stands out — fierce, funny, and unapologetically herself. In her new Clash Music interview, aptly titled “Deela Is Keeping It Real,” the Nigerian-born, UK-based rapper opens up about her journey from a Biomedical Sciences student to one of the most promising alt-rap voices shaking up the scene.
Deela’s journey is a story of beautiful accidents and undeniable talent. Juggling a demanding Biomedical Sciences degree, she stumbled into music almost by chance. “Honestly, it was a mistake how I got into it,” she tells Clash, recalling a friend’s invitation to feature on a song back in 2019. That happy accident unlocked a passion and a skill she never knew she had. The pandemic provided the time, and a YouTube beat provided the canvas for what would become her signature sound: fun, engaging, and bubbling with a confidence boost that is, in her own words, “Always for the girls!!”
Deela
Her ascent has been nothing short of meteoric. The game truly changed when her track ‘Take It Up’ went viral on TikTok, catching the ear of none other than American rap sensation Flo Milli. The story is the stuff of indie-artist dreams. “Flo Milli found me on TikTok and really loved the song so she hopped on it,” Deela recounts with a sense of disbelief that is still palpable. “Little me from TikTok, she just sees my song and sends me a verse. That was crazy and till now, I don’t believe it.”
But lightning has struck twice. Her latest single, the smooth yet hard-hitting ‘Patience Ozokwor’, is a masterstroke of cultural reverence and creative genius. Named after the legendary Nollywood actress known for her iconic “wicked” roles, the track is a brilliant nod to her roots. The collaboration also features one of Nigeria’s leading ladies, Teni, whose verse was a spontaneous freestyle that Deela knew she couldn’t release the song without. It’s a perfect example of Deela’s creative ethos: fusing her heritage with an avant-garde sound that feels both familiar and refreshingly new. “Being in Lagos gives me a completely new energy,” she explains. “I was like I am in Lagos, might as well put pidgin on this track. People would get it.”
Now, with a mini-tour of Toronto and New York under her belt and a critically acclaimed performance on the influential “On the Radar” platform, Deela is poised for a global takeover. She’s doing it all as an independent artist, a path she admits is tough but one she “would not change for anything else.”
As she prepares to release her highly anticipated joint EP with producer Genio Bambino, titled ‘Good Girl No Dey Pay’ on November 6th.
Read the complete interview via Clash Music site.
