Drill music is a very interesting genre, though it has been around for over a decade, the genre’s success did not peak or found mainstream success until four years ago, thanks to some of the genre’s pioneers. The movement didn’t just shoot up to the mainstream, it also influenced and shaped other regions, birthing Ghana’s own version, named Asakaa, a sub-genre that defines drill music in Ghanaian terms. You could just tell the genre is here to stay, but with its dark stereotypes tied to it, making it a genre with lyrics that are often graphic and violent, and often referencing gang culture, drug use, and firearms, it just felt like it was going to come under scrutiny. Typically delivered in a monotone, deadpan style, Drill is unapologetically raw and descriptively violent. Gang-related drill music personalises lyrics and may also use symbolism, which can be linked to offenses and could fuel violent gang-related animosity.
Meanwhile, away from all of Drill’s dark days, over in New York, producer/singer Cash Cobain had been scheming to make Drill appealing to all, and more soft for the summer. With the rise of Drill music in mainstream culture, Cash noticed an opportunity to expand the genre’s range, His tryouts birthed “Sexy Drill”, a subgenre of Drill where sexuality meets hard-hitting beats. At its core, the genre retains the heavy 808s, fast hi-hats, and gritty baselines that Drill music is known for, but it introduces a smoother, softer layer with melodic vocals and slower, sultry tempos. “Fisher” is the perfect reference here. The song alongside its dance named “Reemski”, made it a viral hit, allowing other records to follow through. The genre’s popularity ruled the summer, hence the term “Sleezy Summer”. Ice spice’s presence on the remix added more fluidity to the movement. Fast forward, mainstream artists like Drake, 21 Savage, Lil Yatchy, Don Toliver have all tapped into the movement, making it a worldwide sensation.



HipHop as a whole didn’t move the needle this year despite numerous drops. The only element that propelled the genre was the historic Drake/Kendrick Lamar rap beef. That aside, it’s not been 2016-ish for the genre. This effect seemed to be worldwide, with Ghana’s music industry facing a similar challenge. Surprisingly, some of the best hip body works were released this year. Bosom P Yung’s album, “Katafra Mienu” is a masterpiece, a very underrated album. Bosom’s artistry balances the scale here, it includes a handful of HipHop’s subcultures, ranging from purist style to trap. However, his first attempt at Sexy drill is an interesting one. “Action” features everything that screams Sexy drill except the lyrics, which lean towards hustling more, but overall, it is a great record. Personally, it was my first time hearing a Ghanaian artiste play around the genre. Nigeria’s most well-marketed rapper, Blaqbonez, had already tapped in with “Haibo Freestyle”. Back home, La Même Gang’s Darkovibes, alongside producer Nxrwth, cooked up “Replica”, a song that plays around the themes of Sexy drill, with a few Afro elements.
Joey B is the latest to tap in, with his mainstream appeal and approach, “Princess” sounds like a frontier for GH Sexy drill. Produced by Menace, the record samples Ghanaian highlife legend, Daddy Lumba’s 92’ hit “Mins3i da”, merged with clubbish laser beams and lunch table drums, the production soften the edges while retaining the energy that makes drill exciting. Joey’s playful raps and flow allow him to mix sensuality with gritty Ghanaian jargon that makes the song appealing to the mainstream.
At a time when Drill seems to be falling back a bit, or not having the streets like it did a few years ago, Sexy Drill makes up for all that, appealing to all, specifically the ladies. In raw terms, Drill shouldn’t be about black Air Forces, Nike Sheisty, and a Smith and Wesson, it can be about seductive rhythms of R&B and more. All songs highlighted are going to be tests of endurance that effectively stamps the next summertime by doubling down on region-specific sexcapades.
The genre is there to extend its range, everyone is tapping in, but are Ghanaian music consumers ready to accept it? Or wait till the world does that first as usual.