Ghana is renowned for its vibrant Hip-Hop and rap culture in Africa. In 2020, the phenomenon of drill music emerged in Ghana, particularly in Kumasi, giving rise to a local rap sub-genre known as “Asakaa” or Ghanaian Drill. Asakaa is a fusion of drill music and hiplife, characterized by elements like red bandanas, gang signs, streetwear, and the local Kumasi culture.
Drill music is predominantly embraced by the youth and delves deep into depicting the realities of street life and urban activities.
Although commonly referred to as “Asakaa”, it’s essential to differentiate between the sub-genre and the Asakaa Boys, a nine-member group that played a pivotal role in pioneering Ghanaian drill music. Coined by DJ and producer Rabby Jones, “Asakaa” stems from the Twi word “Kasa,” meaning “talk.” Influenced by American culture, the Asakaa Boys brought an Americanized vibe to Kumasi, dubbing it Kumerica. This movement became a significant influence on other popular Ghanaian artists such as Black Sherif and Yaw Tog.
The Ghanaian drill music scene gained momentum with Asakaa Boys’ single “Akatofoc” in 2020, following their initial drill track “Big Flex”. Drill music quickly caught on in various cities, inspiring numerous young Ghanaian artists to jump on the trend.
After four years of Asakaa’s rise from underground to mainstream in Ghana, it has produced promising talents, garnering support from international stars like Stormzy and Headie One from the UK. Ghanaian drill or Asakaa is now recognized in the music industry, included in categories like the Grammys’ Best African Performance introduced in 2023. As of 2024, Asakaa playlists on Spotify boast over two million streams and feature in more than 38 million user-created playlists.
Similar to the growing 234Drill movement in Nigeria, Asakaa is steadily gaining popularity in Ghana. To familiarize yourself with this music genre, here are some standout artists in the Asakaa movement.
reggie
Known as Reggie Osei, reggie was instrumental in introducing drill music to the Asakaa Boys, the pioneering group of Ghanaian drill music from Kumerica. With a discography including projects like “Straight Outta Kumerica 1-2”, “2 TIMES A GUY”, and “Most High”, reggie has established himself as one of the most consistent artists in the drill scene.
Black Sherif
Black Sherif rose to fame by infusing emotional themes into drill beats. His lyrics like “Of course, I fucked up / Who never fuck up, hands in the air” resonated widely in Nigeria and Ghana in 2022. His track “Second Coming” garnered significant attention, winning the Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year at the 2022 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA). His debut album “The Villain I Never Was” (2022) showcases a mix of emotions and melodies, introducing listeners to Black Sherif’s compelling musical style.
Yaw Tog
Yaw Tog gained prominence as one of Ghana’s youngest music sensations, emerging at 17 during high school in 2020. He drew inspiration from the Asakaa Boys, becoming a leading figure in Ghanaian drill music. Yaw Tog’s breakout single, “Sore remix,” featuring Kwesi Arthur and Stormzy, showcases his witty, bold, and authentic Ghanaian style.
Jay Bahd
Jay Bahd’s music encapsulates street narratives, youthful energy, and newfound successes. His track “Hate” features renowned African Hip-Hop artist Sarkodie, making it a must-add to your playlist.
O’Kenneth
O’Kenneth played a significant role in tracks like Yaw Tog’s “Sore” and Kawabanga’s “Akatofoc,” which propelled Ghanaian drill music to the forefront in 2022. Since then, he has released four albums, solidifying his position in the genre. Spotify recognizes O’Kenneth as one of the top five most streamed Ghanaian drill artists.
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