Ghana’s Worlasi and Drvmroll find symbiosis on Dios  

The men behind Dios, one providing the singing and the other handling production, have long been considered champions of the country’s alternative scene. With time-honoured catalogues and fans among Ghana’s current musical elite, the pair seeks to reassert themselves as key innovators from these parts. 

Dios stands for ‘did it ourselves’. It is led with the lovelorn ‘Kilode’, which features Nigeria’s Wes7ar 22 and was released last week. Other themes the EP discusses are courage, happiness and freedom.

Speaking to Worlasi and Drvmroll, one gets the sense that Dios was always bound to happen. “I‘ve always had a sense of admiration for Worlasi’s approach to music and had constantly wondered what a project from us would sound like,” says Drvmroll, whose production genius has led him to work with respected musicians including rappers Sway Dasafo and M.anifest, who introduced the two to each other.

“Ever since that meeting, we’ve considered pairing up on a project,” Worlasi says. “And so, once in a while we link up and work on songs. One day, I was speaking to M.anifest and he pushed for us to complete it, and that’s how Dios came about.”

Except for occasional creative differences that both collaborators expected during the making of the album, Dios’ conception was largely smooth. “I made the beats, with Worlasi occasionally suggesting a vibe,” recounts Drvmroll. Worlasi adds: “We would chat, grab some drinks, meet friends and return to the studio with fresh ideas.”

Dios was an opportunity for the musicians to test their creative potential during a collaboration, but, as Drvmroll reveals, it turned out into something more – a source of mutual motivation for two creatives who didn’t know where to start.

On what they hope the EP will add to Ghana’s music scene, the artists point to “more” diversity. ”I say ‘more’ because Ghana already has a variety of musicians and sounds,” Drvmroll explains. “We hoped to create a body of work that can be mentioned up there with the already great projects that represent us as Ghanaians and Africans.”

On his part, Worlasi hopes for Dios to spark more collaborations among younger musicians in the subregion. “I want people to believe in themselves,” he says. “They can do anything they put their mind to and understand that they are perfect even with their flaws.”

Meanwhile, Worlasi last Saturday hosted the 2020 Worlafest showcase in Accra. The musician who is also a painter conceived the festival to provide a convergence point for creatives from both disciplines. 

Listen to Dios here.