Growing up between Ghana, the US and, for the most part, North West London, 22-year old Disu is unrelenting in his artistic expressions. Whether it’s writing, production, illustration, or visual direction, Disu doesn’t stop at what he doesn’t know. From his burgeoning love of poetry at age 10, brought to life with a school competition (“I didn’t win, but it motivated me to write because it was published in a book”) he started rapping a little later.
“I hit like 16, 17,” he says, “and I just wanted to spit bars. I listened to the Madvillainy album, and that s**t kind of changed my world.” From there, language took hold: “I think I write poetry without realizing it. It’s always going to be there, that appreciation for words.” Disu converted his way with words into a way of life, and soon added production to his skillset: “I knew I could be a rapper so I thought, “I need to be a producer too – I don’t want to rely on anyone”.”
I think I write poetry without realizing it. It’s always going to be there, that appreciation for words
In the early days, however, Disu didn’t work alone, instead forming one half of the duo ZULU PARK, which is the label name Disu uses to this day. “We used to have our little moments. He’s the one that taught me about [production technique] sidechaining. That was something I had on my mind that he just spoke about, without us even having to talk.”
Through this working relationship, Disu started producing for others, giving his creativity more channels to flow through. This included House of Pharaohs members, AJ, Blaze and Sam Wise – a local face. He has also worked with Lava La Rue: “‘I’m going to show them that you can spit’, that was the point of [the track] ‘Letra’ ”, and even Ella Mai, just before she was signed by DJ Mustard.
Although most work is created alone, Disu still welcomes input at pivotal moments. He recently released a single called ‘Livestream’, but it almost didn’t make it. “I recorded it, woke up the next morning and played it. I’d just got with this girl, and she was in the bed right there, and I said, “This is dead,” but she said, “Keep it”.” After a live performance went down well, Disu put it straight out.
This way of thinking matches his ideal studio set-up, where the next best thing to being alone is bouncing ideas off another producer. But the key to successful collaborations, he believes, is vulnerability: “You’ve got to allow each other to bump heads and hands and cross feet and trip each other over.”
You’ve got to allow each other to bump heads and hands and cross feet and trip each other over
As far as his creative process goes, there has been progress there too. “For a long time I thought I was a perfectionist. Then I started to appreciate my mistakes. Then, being a perfectionist became a bit pretentious.”
The cumulative outcome of this ambitious curiosity is his specific sound, with Disu himself avoiding any categorization. “I am all that I am. I have things I want to hear that I don’t think I can show myself yet, and I enjoy that part, because that part keeps me from complacency. It keeps me thirsty for it.” If one had to describe it, there’s a hefty dose of rap, with an infusion of RnB and a gloss of electronic.
Comparing him to other artists is tricky too. Disu doesn’t mind what people say, as long as they don’t place boundaries around his work: “You can have your code, but I still think you can connect with anyone.”
As with any art form, there is a sense of someone looking over your shoulder, and Disu has a heightened awareness for it: “I feel like people are clocking certain things and they’re just being quiet and taking notes, and who can blame them? At the end of the day we’re all tapping on frequencies.”
I’ve grown with certain people, seen unfortunate mistakes and thought, ‘That was in your control’
Having released four EPs, Disu dropped his debut album in 2019: B.T.Y. (Better Than Yesterday). The 16-track project is just shy of 60 minutes, and laps back and forth on your ears with soothing melodies and Disu’s bassey voice. Not obvious to the listener, he sees it as a double disc, with eight tracks on each. “The whole thing was just like, ‘I can’t be doing that s**t from yesterday’.”
“I’ve grown with certain people, seen unfortunate mistakes and thought, ‘That was in your control’.” Disu doesn’t just absorb his environment, but addresses it with hopes of making an impact for the better.
“Everyone wants to take money and everyone wants to be f***ing depressed. I just wanted to come on a positive tip, not necessarily on some preacher tip. But just on a more authentic tip.”
With tracks like ‘War With The Times’, which samples Brandy & Monica’s ‘The Boy Is Mine’, we hear the RnB influence loud and clear. But the same project also holds tracks like ‘O.O.T.L’, which is a bit spicier even with the signature water-bed style beat.
I used to always rather be seen nervous and push through my nerves, than be nervous and people never see me
B.T.Y. also has an accompanying seven minute video, which for an independent artist with limited resources is an impressive feat, even though Disu wanted it to be more like 30-45 minutes long.
Performing live is the final piece of the picture for Disu, who admits there’s still room for improvement. “There was a time I was nervous,” he admits, “but I used to always rather be seen nervous and push through my nerves, than be nervous and people never see me.
The last few performances, I’ve been shutting down”, one of which was at the inaugural Boiler Room Festival in Peckham, in October 2019. For an artist who has no problems expressing himself with a pen, pencil or beats, it’s likely that Disu will also conquer the stage.
Disu sees his journey so far as linear and logical: “I started with poetry, I ended up working with someone and then I started to find my feet as an individual, and without thinking about it I was involved in other’s projects, and now I’m just continuing.” Speaking of what lies ahead, Disu’s optimism is contagious.
I’m even realising in this moment why I love music, because I can really go to a lot of places – I can connect with a lot of souls
“I’m even realising in this moment why I love music, because I can really go to a lot of places – I can connect with a lot of souls.” Currently working on his upcoming project, there is a feeling of unbridled energy for discovery that emanates from such a level-headed man.
To him, self-sufficiency is key. That’s what drove Disu to produce in the first place, and it’s still driving him now. “Success is being able to work towards all that I want, and I can get it more now because I have less in my way.” It’s only a matter of time before there is nothing in this artist’s way, and Disu’s consistent work comes to fruition.
