Interviews

O.G Relli Talks His Collaborating With Donae’o on “Swaggy” and More

When UK hip-hop rapper-producers Donae’o and OG Relli started texting again last year, they had no idea what beautiful creation would blossom from

By TCR Staff

June 13, 2023

O.G Relli Talks His Collaborating With Donae’o on “Swaggy” and More

When UK hip-hop rapper-producers Donae’o and OG Relli started texting again last year, they had no idea what beautiful creation would blossom from their collaboration. In the process, they discovered shared heritage, passion, and aims for their music that seamlessly combined to create a casually contagious track.

Regarded as a national treasure, UK funky house pioneer Donae’o broke onto the scene in the early noughties, fusing his Ghanaian and Guyanese heritage into beats that rocked the London club scene for the past two decades. Over that time, he’s collaborated with countless notable acts, from Giggs to Lethal Bizzle, JME to Calvin Harris. OG Relli got his big break around the same time, performing and hosting London’s beloved hip-hop battle scene and incubator, The Jump Off. There he shared the stage rapping and emceeing with big names like Labrinth, Nas, Sean Paul, Ed Sheeran, and Dua Lipa. Bringing to the table his Jamaican, Guyanese, and Ghanaian heritage, Relli was ripe for crafting cross-cultural genius with Donae’o when they reconnected.

The result of their budding musical partnership, “Swaggy” is Donae’o and OG Relli’s club-ready Afro-Caribbean bop. Over a mischievous, low-rolling beat reminiscent of the noughty’s UK Funky house days, the duo connect over their shared joys in life: getting paid, dressing swaggy, and gnamming jollof and ackee. They spit countless meme-able lines that will connect with audiences worldwide, from Lagos to London and Kingston to Queens.

Take a further step into the rich lives of Donae’o and OG Relli with the music video for “Swaggy.” Amidst stylish shots of shoes, chains, and red carpets, we can see it isn’t just the material things that bring joy to these established artists. They take life lightly—until it comes to the timeless debate over Ghanaian vs Nigerian jollof. With a sense of humor, Donae’o and OG Relli present their infectious vibes that have kept their fans smiling and dancing for decades.
Now it’s time you fill your bowl.

What was the best part about collaborating together for the song “Swaggy”?

The best part was being able to combine our extensive career experience and bounce creative ideas back and forth, which is probably why the record was referenced, written, and recorded in the space of an hour.

What was the inspiration behind the visuals for “Swaggy”?

In all honesty the inspiration came from my wardrobe! Lol, I’ve accumulated a mass of clothing and this was the perfect opportunity to showcase my fashion palette. I’m still not fully satisfied with the outfits I chose and now I can see where a stylist would’ve been useful as a second pair of eyes and opinion, but hey ho, how does that new overused phrase go… “we move!” Haha.

How have both of your Guyanese and Ghanaian heritages influenced your music?

There’s a very unique vibe one inherits coming from the Caribbean (well, Guyana being in South America) and Africa so when you’re fully immersed and embrace your own culture, I guess you pour your influence into your art without knowing at times or making a conscious effort. From the slang, phrasing, and cadence, to the accent, it’s all there.

What caused you both to collaborate together on this catchy song?

Other than my supporters on Instagram, not many people know that before making “Swaggy”, I was ready to bow out gracefully from the artistry side of things and continue my path as a performance coach & mentor to artists, one of my projects being newly signed artist to Colombia Records Junior Andre – son of celebrity Katie Price and legendary recording artist Peter Andre. I was convinced to stick to making music by “my virtual public”, i.e Instagram, and a few trusted friends, so I decided to switch up the vibes and do things differently, which lead me to reaching out to Donae’o who invited me to the studio to work on a choon and as they say, the rest is MY-Story (not history).

How has the London music scene influenced your sound?

I love the levels of talent in our scene, the phenomenal impact it’s having each day and the incredible success being achieved from art that I’m happy to say NOW is uncompromised, organic and not influenced by the powers that be. Straight, raw, UK inner-city vibes. I come from that same stock which I’m sure you can hear clear as day in my music.

What are your favorite lyrics from “Swaggy”?

My fave lyrics in “Swaggy” would have to be: “Man know better, man ah dan gorgan inna Clarks and sweater!”, “Rick Jaaaames… I wish a ***** would!”, and last but far from least, “swaggy! Mans on a vibes, mans happy, nyaming Jollof & Ackee i beg ah man don’t get aggy, don’t get aggy!”

Who are some of your biggest inspirations in the world of music?

A few of my biggest inspirations… first and foremost, Bob Marley. A bit cliché, I know, I know, being a proud Jamaican and all that, but the man is a legend and phenom. An only child born and raised feeling like an outcast in a little shack of a tiny parish in Jamaica who went on to become an icon and literally impact and leave a mark on the globe through a righteous message, powerful vibes, and a healthy legacy of offspring who are doing their ole man proud. Another influence would be dancehall legend Ninja Man – what an incredible lyricist and showman. U.S legendary RnB group Jodeci are one of my big inspos. They made me wanna sing, do harmonies, and serenade while dressing dumb “swaggy” like the man dem in the hood. I’d most definitely have to put Big Daddy Kane, Jay Z, and J. Cole in there, too.

What is next for your futures in regards to music?

After I’ve gotten “Swaggy” where it deserves to and should be, I have a follow-up record and a string of singles locked and loaded in the chamber ready to go. I have a major desire to be all over your TV screens (not just on YouTube), as I feel you can’t beat that experience of seeing or hearing a fresh new song on your TV screen whether that be with a music video or live performance. I aim to tour the UK and Europe to start with and bring my “Jamafrican” vibes to the world stages. We Jamaicans are renowned for this phrase… “Soon come” translation: Coming soon.