In recent years, African music has taken the global stage by storm, with genres like Afrobeats and Amapiano gaining international acclaim. However, there’s one crucial piece to the varying genres receiving mixed reactions in recent conversations—the Drill music known to Ghana as Asakaa and Nigeria as Naija Drill.
There’s a prevailing narrative suggesting that Asakaa and Naija Drill have lost their edge. However, data from Spotify shared exclusively with Revolve Muzic tells a different story. This exploration delves into the robust growth, key players, and global reach of Asakaa and Naija Drill, demonstrating that the genre is far from a recession.
The Rise of Asakaa and Naija Drill
The ascent of Asakaa and Naija Drill can be traced back to the tumultuous period of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, as the world was in lockdown, the music scenes in Ghana and Nigeria were bubbling with innovation and creativity. Artists in these countries began experimenting with Drill, a genre originally birthed in the gritty streets of Chicago and later popularised by the UK scene.
What sets Asakaa apart is its linguistic flair. Asakaa blends the hard-hitting baselines of Drill music with the Twi language. This fusion not only preserves the intensity of Drill but also imbues it with a distinct Ghanaian cultural flavour that resonates deeply with audiences. The name “Asakaa” is a playful twist on words, reflecting the genre’s lyrical creativity.
This unique blend resonates with the youth, painting a vivid picture of street struggles through hard-hitting lyrics.
Nigeria’s Naija Drill scene mirrors this energy. Just like Asakaa, it offers a powerful soundscape that delves into the realities of life on the streets.
Key Players in the Drill Scene
The data from Spotify highlights the top Drill artists leading the charge in Nigeria and Ghana. In Nigeria, the most-streamed Drill artists over the past 12 months are:
- ODUMODUBLVCK
- Jeriq
- PsychoYP
- Reeplay
- Alpha Ojini
In Ghana, the forefront of the Asakaa movement features:
- Black Sherif
- O’Kenneth
- Jay Bahd
- Kwaku DMC
- Reggie
Top Tracks and Collaborative Efforts
The synergy between Nigerian and Ghanaian Drill artists has resulted in some of the most popular tracks of the past year. According to the data:
- “KWAKU THE TRAVELLER” by Black Sherif has over 42 million streams
- “BLOOD ON THE DANCE FLOOR” by ODUMODUBLVCK feat. Bloody Civilian and Wale has over 30 million streams.
- “SECOND SERMON” – Remix by Black Sherif feat. Burna Boy has over 26 million streams.
- “WOTOWOTO SEASONING” ODUMODUBLVCK feat. Black Sherif has over 25 million streams.
- “DECLAN RICE” by ODUMODUBLVCK has over 25 million streams.
- “DOG EAT DOG II” by ODUMODUBLVCK feat. Bella Shmurda and Cruel Santino has 18 million streams.
- “PICANTO” by ODUMODUBLVCK feat. Zlatan and ECko Miles has over 14 million streams.
- “OIL IN MY HEAD” by Black Sherif has over 14 million streams.
- “KONONGO ZONGO” by Black Sherif has over 12 million streams
- “KUBOLOR” by ODUMODUBLVCK feat. Amaarae has over 11 million streams.
This list explores the dynamic and interconnected nature of the Drill scenes in Ghana and Nigeria, reinforcing the genre’s vitality and continued growth.
Global Reach and Influence
The appeal of Asakaa and Naija Drill extends far beyond West Africa. The data reveals that Asakaa playlists have garnered over 2 million streams in the last 12 months, while Naija Drill playlists are nearing the half-million mark with over 400,000 streams.
Additionally, more than 38 million user-created playlists feature tracks from these genres, highlighting their widespread popularity.
Interestingly, the top streaming countries for Naija Drill and Asakaa, excluding Nigeria and Ghana, are:
- United States
- Great Britain
- Denmark
- Canada
- Italy
The exclusive Data from Spotify clearly shows that these genres are not only thriving locally but also making significant inroads on the global music stage. As artists like ODUMODUBLVCK, Black Sherif and their peers continue to innovate and push boundaries, the future of Drill music in West Africa looks incredibly bright.
The steady stream of data-driven insights challenges the perception of Drill’s decline, revealing instead a genre that is buzzing with energy and potential.
By: Jude Tackie
