Rising Nigerian-British rapper DEELA is back with her fiery new single “Slide”—an unapologetic statement of self-affirmation and power. Produced by Genio Bambino (Cruel Santino, Davido) and Dëra (Bad Bunny, J Balvin, Bryson Tiller), the track sets the tone for DEELA’s forthcoming mixtape Wicked, offering a fearless, globally relevant sound that fuses rap, trap, and dynamic instrumentation with an energetic bounce designed for the dance floor.
In DEELA’s own words, “I wrote ‘Slide’ after a long hiatus of writing. I wasn’t feeling myself, and it literally brought me out of that shell I was in. It’s one of my more serious songs compared to the rest on the project. I’m just really affirming myself and claiming all the things I want for myself.”
At just 23, DEELA has already positioned herself as a trailblazing voice in the UK rap landscape. Her journey began during the pandemic while balancing studies, when she reconnected with her life-long passion for music and began refining her sound. With female representation in UK rap still emerging, she found solidarity with artists like Deto Black and Brazy, forming her own creative community. After graduating, DEELA pursued music full-time, teaching herself the ins and outs of independence and earning early support from innovators such as Cruel Santino and fashion visionary Mowalola.
Her distinctive blend of trap, hip-hop, and Afrobeats has led to organic collaborations with Flo Milli, Teni, BXKS, Len, and Coco & Clair Clair, while her empowering “girl boss” energy continues to resonate with a new generation of listeners. DEELA’s 2024 EP Good Girl Dey No Pay, created with pioneering Alté producer Genio Bambino, marked a major milestone, further amplifying her unique sound and bold storytelling.
Industry tastemakers have taken notice. From an unexpected DM from Baby Keem to a coveted spot on NME’s 2025 “100” list, DEELA is becoming impossible to ignore. Her cultural impact extends beyond music as well, with co-signs from designers Sinead Gorey, Di Petsa, and Jeffrey Campbell, who recently featured her in a Lagos campaign.
With “Slide” and the forthcoming mixtape Wicked, DEELA enters a new era—one that embodies her mantra of marrying good and evil while fearlessly pushing sonic boundaries. She isn’t just contributing to the future of Afrobeats and rap—she’s leading it.
For more information on DEELA, please visit: TikTok Instagram Spotify