Drela, The Afro-Fusion Star Bridging Lagos and Accra

Nigerian artiste Drela is redefining Afro-fusion with his vibrant blend of Afrobeats, Dancehall and R&B a sound born from both grit and grace. In his appearance on Culture Daily’s Unpackin’ segment, the fast-rising act shared his journey from the streets of Jos to collaborating with Ghanaian heavyweight Stonebwoy.

Born to parents from Nassarawa State but raised in Jos, Drela’s early environment was steeped in music. “On weekends, the whole community came out to perform and vibe. That’s where it started for me,” he said. His first exposure came through the church, where his singing talent was discovered unexpectedly.

Drawing inspiration from reggae icons like Buju Banton and R&B stars like Chris Brown, Drela's genre-bending sound blends Afrobeats rhythm, Dancehall bounce and Hausa roots. “I fuse everything I love Afrobeat, Dancehall, R&B and that makes my sound unique,” he explained.

Before signing with Cashboy Records, Drela was known for carrying a small jam box around Lagos, freestyling at beaches and events. “One day, I freestyled for a man who later sent me ₦100,000,” he recalled. “That was the moment I knew my sound connected with people.”

His relentless street performances eventually led to his discovery by Morgan Cashboy, CEO of Cashboy Records and U.S. road manager for Stonebwoy.

That connection led to DEM DEAD, Drela’s breakout collaboration with Stonebwoy a record that introduced him to the Ghanaian market. “Working with Stonebwoy was one of the biggest moments of my life,” he said. “I’ve looked up to him since I was 15.”

Under Cashboy Records, Drella has released projects including BAD BOY, RAIN, JAKOMO and ACTIVE MOVEMENT, with streaming numbers surpassing 2.5 million lyric video views and 100K Spotify streams.

“There’s time to chill and time to get active,” he said, describing his ACTIVE MOVEMENT mantra. “When you hear JAKOMO, it means it’s time to go all in.”