Nigerian-British rapper DEELA unleashes her latest single “Slide”, marking the beginning of her bold new era with the announcement of her forthcoming mixtape “Wicked”. Produced by Genio Bambino (Cruel Santino, Davido) and Dëra (Bad Bunny, J Balvin, Bryson Tiller), “Slide” delivers a globally relevant sound with a fearless, energetic bounce, capturing the essence of DEELA’s boundary-pushing artistry.
“In traditional DEELA-spirit,” the 23-year-old continues to merge Rap with dynamic instrumentation, creating music tailored for the dance floor. “Slide” follows last month’s release of “Supreme Dee” and her exclusive ‘WICKED HOUR’ takeover on FOUNDATION FM alongside collaborators Jacqueline Ezeuko and Diiamond.
Speaking on the single, DEELA shares: “I wrote ‘Slide’ after a long hiatus of writing. I wasn’t feeling myself and it literally brought me out that shell I was in. It’s one of my more serious songs compared to the rest on the project. I’m just really affirming myself and claiming all the things I want for myself.”
DEELA’s journey is one of resilience and ambition. During the pandemic, she reconnected with her lifelong passion for music while completing her studies, teaching herself the logistics of becoming an independent artist. At a time when female voices in UK rap were still limited, she formed solidarity with emerging peers like Deto Black and brazy, building her creative community. Early encouragement from innovators like Cruel Santino and Mowalola gave her the confidence to push forward unapologetically.
Since then, DEELA has carved out her lane with a fearless blend of Trap and Hip-Hop, leading to organic collaborations with Flo Milli, Teni, BXKS, Len, and Coco & Clair Clair. Her 2024 EP “Good Girl Dey No Pay”—created with pioneering Alté producer Genio Bambino—marked a major milestone in her career. Her magnetic presence has caught the attention of tastemakers worldwide, from a surprise DM from Baby Keem to being featured on NME’s 2025 “100” list.
Beyond music, DEELA is becoming a cultural force in fashion, with co-signs from designers like Sinead Gorey, Di Petsa, and Jeffrey Campbell, who spotlighted her in a recent campaign shot in Lagos.
“Slide” is a fearless statement that cements Deela as one of UK’s most exciting new voices
