Allie: What inspires you and how has American hip hop culture influenced your music? Delasi: I get inspired by my environment and everything around me, my emotions, injustice in the world, poverty, corruption, relationships, etc… way before I’d discover hip hop for myself the first records I was introduced to were those that belonged to my parents. They loved music and had a wide range of music from classical to soul and reggae all on vinyl and cassette tapes. Most of these records were American in origin. I’d discover rap on the radio but I would only make a connection later when I found 2pac!
Allie: How do you feel about the current state of rap & hip hop music in Ghana and America? Delasi: Ghanaians have owned hip hop and made it theirs. Reggie Rockstone introduced a genre he called ‘Hiplife’ which was a fusion of American hip hop beats and raps in Ghanaian dialects. This caught on and with time sub genres like ‘Azonto’ emerged. I like the alternative bands with deeper messages such as FOKN BOIS, M.anifest who have made a name for themselves and put Ghana on the map with Pidgen (a form of broken English) rap. Some of the hip hop tunes coming from Ghana is of very good quality and interesting to listen to. Thank God for Kendrick for making music one can eat. He stays true to the fundamentals of hip hop which gave African Americans a voice to speak about civil rights. Unfortunately there are not enough Kendrick Lamar's in the spotlight to spread positive messages. What the mainstream glorifies is dumbed down music with very little useful content and what that brings about is a badly influenced generation who subscribe to such music and stereotypes get louder. Watch 'Afemakpor' Allie: Would you consider yourself a conscious artist? Delasi: I usually shy away from labels and tags but considering my affinity for social commentary and poetic engagement, I will happily wear that title. Personally, I get fulfilled when my talents have been able to make an impact positively. I’ve partly achieved this via workshops that I have with young aspiring musicians from time to time. Allie: What is your dream collaboration? Delasi: I have always been a Michael Jackson fan (too bad I didn’t get to meet him) I would love to make music with Frank Ocean! Kendrick Lamar and Nas will also be swell Allie: If you had $1 billion, what would you do? Delasi: I’d open up a creative residency for aspiring artists from different disciplines of African descent and give them all the necessary tools/support in their careers Delasi's upcoming album, #ThoughtJourney, is "almost done" and he wants to share the messages on that album to the whole world! Follow & support him by clicking the links below! He also expressed interest in working with Chicago artists! Follow Allie Lyke on IG & Twitter @AllieLyke
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ATS MagAgainst the Stream Magazine is an urban platform. We edify our readers by finding noble, pure, and true talent and giving it a stage to flourish. While we love bragging about the folks around us, we also tackle urban issues by giving real world solutions. Archives
September 2015
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