Kwaku DMC Speaks on Fame, Brotherhood & The Journey From Kumasi Streets to Global Stages

On the latest episode of BIG CONVO, host Jason El-A sat down with Ghanaian drill star Kwaku DMC for one of his most open and revealing interviews yet. A conversation about identity, pressure, fame, grief, faith and the unstoppable rise of the Asakaa movement.

The discussion began with light-hearted banter, as Jason teased that both he and DMC share the name Kwaku, a name he proudly claimed produces “the most gentle, well-mannered men.” But the laughter soon gave way to a layered, introspective conversation with the man behind the music.

Away from the stage, Kwaku DMC prefers to be called Derek. The name “DMC,” he explained, was born out of reinvention: “I was called D-Boy, but one of my bosses said it didn’t sound like a music name. So I changed it to Kwaku DMC: Kwaku, The Music Child.”

DMC reveals that he and the Asakaa boys always expected success.

What they didn’t expect was the scale: “Music fame is bigger than the fame we had in high school. But I’m used to it.”

With the internet watching their every move, even a single emoji or full stop becomes a headline. Still, he insists he has never been overwhelmed.

The Asakaa journey, he says, was rooted in obsession. “We had two studios in the same house. No hobby, no other plan. Just music, 24/7.” Because they recorded constantly, they accumulated a stockpile of songs deep enough to last a year without recording again. Little did they know that work ethic would later empower the “back-to-back” Asakaa dominance that shocked the nation.

The conversation took an emotional turn when DMC recalled the moment Virgil Abloh posted their song. They had no idea it was coming.“We woke up to it. Virgil DM’ed us and said, ‘You guys are doing good. I’m here to support you.’” What followed was a genuine relationship. Virgil sent clothes, shoes, advice, industry guidance and even helped them navigate contracts. He was not just a celebrity co-sign. He became part of their team.

“We were supposed to shoot OFF WHITE FLOW in Paris. He had everything planned. Then we woke up the next day to the sad news…” DMC paused, the weight of the memory evident.

The Asakaa boys became known for “moving without waiting,” something DMC says was intentional: “We can’t keep calm when the crowd is listening. We had to be out there. Fans need to know the faces behind the music.” They toured Europe before some people even considered them ready but they didn’t care. “We never thought about failing. If we felt it, we moved.”

One of the most surprising revelations was how DMC approaches online criticism: “When I read comments, I read them as a fan, not as Kwaku DMC.” That mindset helps him stay grounded and avoid reacting emotionally.