Ashobi is the title track to Drizilik’s upcoming sophomore album of the same name. Drizilik has recently been stirring up quite a lot of heat, winning ‘Album of the Year’, ‘Best Afro Hip Hop Artist of The Year’, ‘Male Artist of the Year’, and ‘Best Live Performer’ at the 2019 National Entertainment Awards. That’s a lot of awards to win in a lifetime, let alone one year. Seeing as this young, aspiring talent is whipping up a lot of talk, it’s only fitting to see just how many artists and producers would want to work with him. Lately, the “Sierra Leone king of new school music” has worked with Ramoni, C.I.C, Block Jones and many more. So, to help him with his next project, Drizilik has looked to gather the help of Idris Elba (yes, that Idris Elba). 

If you had to do a double take just then and think to yourself, “Idris Elba? As in the actor? On a hip-hop track?” Let me bring you up to speed. Elba has been rapping since 2006 and has consistently been bringing out singles, EPs and albums from 2014 to present, though mainly as a DJ. He even has his own record label, 7Wallace. This time, however, Idris hands over the production to DJ Rampage and decides to drop a fire verse instead. I’m not complaining, but how does the song sound? Well, it’s certainly not like anything you’ve ever heard before, that’s for sure. 

Instantly, we’re hit with an accordion sample that makes up the main element of this afrobeat instrumental. It’s also important to recognise the Freetown influences shining through, too. Freetown is the capital city of Sierra Leone, where Drizilik was born. 

When I first heard Ashobi, the beat really threw me off. It was such a weird mix I’d not heard anywhere else, and the clunky accordion loop reminded me of something from an episode of SpongeBob SquarePants. Still to this day I think it sounds quite nautical, but after hearing it a few times, it’s definitely something I’ve warmed to. 

Now, as a white dude from England that has very little knowledge of the languages of African countries, I would find it difficult to analyse the lyrics to Ashobi, which are mainly performed in his national language of Krio. Either way, regardless of the words’ meanings, it sounds superb. I feel like I’m engaging with a rich, interesting culture just by hearing a different language. There’s a real feeling of togetherness when I listen to Ashobi, especially when the group backing vocals of the chorus come through. 

We then get round to Idris Elba’s verse and I gotta say, with this being my first proper introduction to his music, that this man can rap! He’s got style, he’s got finesse, he’s got rhythm and he brings a great contrast to the track. Elba has a lower register than Drizilik, making him sound rich and suave to counteract Drizilik’s youthful timbre. It works really well, and with another round of the hook and chorus, thus concludes one of the most head-turning tracks to come out this year. 

Drizilik says of the track, “Ashobi is an invitation to the world to get down and dance. And for Sierra Leoneans soon as they hear it, they’ll hear the culture. Ashobi is about to be the official soundtrack for celebrations from parties to weddings. If you’re wearing Ashobi, play the Ashobi.”

It’s not very often a young hip-hop artist collaborates with one of the world’s most in demand actors to release an afrobeat bop both sung and rapped almost entirely in his native language of Krio. It’s therefore even more outstanding to me that it absolutely bangs. 

Ashobi is out now.