HEADIE ONE SPEAKS ON GHANA, GROWTH, AND experimenting beyond DRILL
There’s something different in Headie One’s voice these days. From the uncompromising lyricism of his early drill records to the more melodic cadences seeping into recent cuts, the Ghanaian Tottenham-born artist sounds like a man more in tune with silence, peace, and the world around him. A lot of that grounding, he says, comes from Ghana—where he spent time in school, where his family lives, and where his sound continues to find new life.
There’s a stillness in Headie One’s presence that doesn’t quite match the noise his name makes. He now moves with the calm of someone who’s seen beyond the ends—Accra, London, Lagos—and come back quieter, sharper, clearer. In Ghana, he says, the music flows easier. There’s peace, perspective, and a kind of stillness that makes the sound hit differently
We caught up with him at SmallWorld Records on one of his now frequent trips to Ghana, as he shared his thoughts on evolution, Afrobeats experiments, the UK’s misconceptions, and how the youngest version of himself might react to the man he’s become.
How would you describe the version of you now and the music you’re making?
The version of me now is much different to the early days. I’ve had the chance to travel and experience different ways of life. That gives you a different perspective. You start to see things in ways that weren’t possible before — and that naturally reflects in the music.
Has your creative process shifted with that growth?
It’s mostly the same to be fair. I started out as a lyricist and that’s still what leads the music for me. Of course, I’ve picked up new ways of working, experimenting with melodies and structure — but it’s still words first.
You’re proudly Ghanaian, and we’ve seen you back here a lot. What’s kept you grounded in Ghana?
It’s just home. Most of my family’s still really in touch with Ghana. My grandparents live here, and I even spent some time in school out here. Ghana’s peaceful — I feel like I can create with a clear mind here. And it’s helped me feel more confident experimenting with that Afro sound.
What sounds are you experimenting with that might surprise fans?
Amapiano. Dance music. Afrobeat for sure — I’ve got enough tracks to do a whole Afrobeat project honestly. I’m sitting on a lot.
What’s something the UK still hasn’t figured out about you that Ghana already knows?
The UK sees the serious side. Ghana gets the relaxed version of me. I laugh a lot here, it brings that out of me. Ghanaians are chilled — and hilarious too.
Do you ever feel like you need to simplify your music for mass appeal?
Not really. I can’t simplify what I’m saying, because what I’m talking about is complex. If people connect with it, then that’s great — but I’m not chasing that.
If the younger version of you heard your latest work, what would he say?
He’d probably say “keep it raw.” He wouldn’t believe where I am today, but he’d definitely remind me of where it all started.
