JOE Levelz

The beats are the paper, the voices are the pen ... The tracks we make are the records of our civilization we live for future generations!!

This Sunday in Kumasi … Hilite from 8pm!!!

Pre-Save!!! PnP2.lnk.to/ThisTrip

When one of my heroes dies, I struggle to accept it. I think about my own mortality all the time, and the mortality of the people close to me too. But the heroes… the heroes always seem immortal. They seem immune to the laws of the universe. So how? How? I’m writing this as much for myself as I am for Sway. Trying to find some peace in it. I first heard you on Allo Tigo (or Smash TV, I forget which iteration it was). Back then, we didn’t really have a lot of UK rappers on Ghanaian TV or radio. We didn’t even think the UK had rappers who were good enough. So when Jon Germain played Up Your Speed, F Your Ex and Flo Fashion, he changed my mind in a way nobody could have predicted. Those songs exhibited a level of skill I didn’t know could exist outside the US. But it was Month in the Summer that did it for me. I swear Shakespeare was shaking when you wrote Month in the Summer. Such a high exhibition of wordplay and wit. With so much soul. I texted the lyrics as my own words, trying to woo Felicity, but her big sister found out and killed my motion. You became untouchable to me after that song. The fact that you were Ghanaian was just the icing on the cake. And as I grew older and began to understand the depth of a song like Flo Fashion. When I played This Is My Demo (I’m sorry, I got it from the bootleg guy. It was hard to get original CDs down here) and understood the story. The skits. Little Derek. Oh my God. Then you did something even greater than the music. You came to Ghana and collaborated with some of our very best. Lay Away had the cafés on smash, I swear down. Intoxicated had the clubs going up. This act of giving back, which you continued well into your last days through mentorship and helping artists, producers, etc. understand where royalties and such were hiding, is what finally took you from someone I really liked to a hero in my books. You made a huge mark. In the UK especially, but here in Ghana as well. Pray 4 Kaya! Pray 4 Kaya! What a song! Every time someone does a heartfelt, almost drumless storytelling song about a tragedy that befell someone else, I think of Pray 4 Kaya. I thought of it when I heard Dave’s Lesley. I thought of it when Ghetts did Little Bo Peep. And it was definitely on my board when I made Shii the Song Pt. 2. Imagine my surprise when I dropped FMB and saw that you followed me back on Instagram. I DM’d you straight away with the lyrics to I Declare War (one of the greatest exhibitions of technical ability ever! The wordplay!) and you responded. God. Sway responded. You said we should definitely link on one of your many trips to Ghana. My fault that it never happened. I have a fear of meeting my heroes. It meant the world to me that you responded, sir. On This Is My Demo, you asked, “If I die, will the world remember me?” Well sir, if you’re seeing the tributes pouring in, I’m sure you know the answer to that. Thank you so much for your service. Wherever you are, sir, just know that little Derek did more than okay. He saved my life.

I share exclusive music on my IG channel every Friday. Songs that didn’t make it to projects and are too old (in my head) to release. Tap in if you’re interested in things like that. ——> instagram.com/channel/AbZY7o…

Always a pleasure to share songs and conversation with the family. Thank you @songsinconvo … Ps: Kumasi time aso ⏰ Special Thanks to @MusicalLunatics @knownasfale for the incredible support.

I miss the days when life was simple … and I can’t believe I forgot Red Scorpion and Chuck Norris!!! #Abrantie #Breakdowns