Delasi - Audacity of Free Thought (2024) Hi Res

Delasi, the Koforidua-based producer, singer and rapper has released his new single ‘Perception’.

Sonically traversing electronic, funk, new wave and R&B in a way that’s akin to the work of KAYTRANADA and BADBADNOTGOOD, ‘Perception’ is an optimistic and affirming testament of self-actualisation for all the misunderstood outliers and underdogs.

Just as with previous single ‘Amplifier’, Delasi once again employs the use of repeated phrases and manifestations to drive home the importance of maintaining a strong sense of morale in the face of oppressive structures and personal hardships.

Partially inspired by his challenges coming up in the music industry, ‘Perception’ doubles as an anthem for artists who continue to boldly operate on the fringes of their creative communities even if it's at the expense of increased career mobility. Speaking further on this, Delasi said:

“I get punished a lot for the way I think. I'm not confined to the cage of perceived cool. I'm not boxing myself into any of those obvious categories and that energy seeped into the song. It's about the perception of yourself being misconstrued or misunderstood which is something most artists suffer from”.

The accompanying video was directed by Chantal Azari who married the song’s buoyant energy with thought-provoking visual vignettes that showcases the cost of being a free thinker and anti-establishment. One scene in particular shows Delasi being accosted by a group of corrupt police officers as a result of stereotypical assumptions being levied onto him.

Speaking further on the necessity of this particular scene, Delasi said “​​The scene with me and the police officer is a commentary on when you look how I look in Ghana; whether that means having an afro, braids or dread - authorities (whether it's your parents or law enforcement) will see you as a threat. When in reality, the biggest crimes are most often perpetrated by the politicians in power. So that scene is a commentary on who the media or society points fingers at may not necessarily be the villains we think they are”

‘Perception’ arrives 1 month after the release of Delasi’s previous single ‘Amplifier’ featuring Nii Noi Nortey. The prophetic and spiritual prayer-esque song hybridized forms of electronic, jazz and indigenous Ghanaian music. Upon its official arrival, the track would earn plaudits and praise from reputable titles outlets like CLASH, CRACK Magazine, Bandcamp Daily, The Line Of Best Fit, COLORS, and Rough Trade.

The debut of ‘Perception’ comes alongside news that Delasi will be releasing his new EP ‘The Audacity Of Free Thought’ on January 19th 2024. Set to feature 5-tracks, ‘The Audacity Of Free Thought’ is an eclectic and unconventional project that has been self-described as a “prophetic insight into the future”. An expression of Delasi’s singular artistry, the project will also function as his long-awaited breakthrough after many years operating Ghana’s musical underground.

This will mark Delasi’s first body of work since his 2015 self-released project ‘#thoughtjourney’ which garnered support and praise from Rolling Stone, BBC6 Music, Worldwide FM, KCRW, Afropop Worldwide, Deutschlandfunk Kultur, NRK and legendary French DJ/Producer Laurent Garnier. Additionally parlaying into touring and festival gigs across Nairobi, Berlin, Morocco, Denmark and Sweden.

Delasi is an artist that has been quietly prolific for over a decade. Honing his musicianship exploring sonic possibilities with Ableton and Teenage Engineering. Eventually entrenching himself in the Ghanaian rap scene via collaborations with Hammer of The Last Two, Reggie Rockstone and Yaw P with whom he would release a joint project ‘Imperfections: The Break Up Vol 1’ in 2013.

After many years of operating as a proudly independent and self-contained artist, Delasi has now partnered with Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood Recordings. One of the world’s leading indie labels, famed for their instrumental role in breaking the likes of KOKOROKO, Yussef Dayes, Swindle, Joe-Armon Jones, Shabaka And The Ancestors, Zara McFarlane and Ghostpoet.