Deela Wants You To Know She Is An Unapologetic Lagos Baddie.

Everything starts late in Lagos; conventions, fashion shows, festivals and concerts so NATIVELAND picking up at midnight was perceived as frustrating yet expected. Everyone hoped they’d still have energy by the time their favourite artistes climbed the stage. But before the big acts, several emerging acts took to the stage. On the stage, as she stood, dark-skinned with shiny long legs, a mini skirt and a microphone; Deela was here to proselytise the crowd as she rapped in a By.Wuzzy denim bralette.

“I do not get nervous before or while performing. I remind myself that I should always go there and own the stage. I want those who love my music to vibe and I want others to get curious enough to look into my music. I would say the NATIVELAND energy was a 10/10”

This was the experience for the audience at the concert as a beloved fan yelled, “Oh my God, this is so fire, she has bars.” She performed a then-unreleased track, Lagos as well as the fan favourite Take It Up which attracted the attention of American rapper Flo Mili as she features on the remix. “Take It Up is more popular abroad, people like it on TikTok.”

Now, as she sits in a well-lit corner wearing a black t-shirt, Deela talks about her intentionality with her music and fashion trajectory. She frequently plays with her braided red hair while on the video call, “I love braids, it is so much easier and with the heat in Nigeria, wigs are not it.”