Dennis Hope Yasso popularly known as DeeYasso doesn’t need grand gestures to announce his arrival in the music industry. For the multi-hyphenate producer, whose work on Yemi Alade’s Tomorrow earned him a Grammy nomination, success is simply the natural byproduct of making great music. “The Grammy nomination coming is not a shock to me,” he admits. “From the moment we created the song, we knew it was good. The nomination is just a re-emphasis that we did something special.”
Hailing from Taraba State, far from Nigeria’s music epicentre, Lagos, he relied on his belief in his craft rather than some conventional notion that proximity to the industry’s power hubs was a prerequisite for success. “I’ve always believed that if I made good music, the right opportunities would find me,” he says.
Growing up, DeeYasso was immersed in music, inspired by his father, a church chorister who nurtured his budding interest. By 2006, DeeYasso had ventured into music production, supported by his church community and school. “My school saw people from town booking me to play music, so they bought instruments for me to use on campus,” he recalls. “That’s where my foundation was built.”
His journey into production reflected his yearning to be more than a local champion. “The first time I saw a drum set, I shivered—I knew music was my calling,” DeeYasso says. “From there, it was about learning, evolving, and creating something special.”
DeeYasso’s ability to craft music that resonates beyond his immediate environment has been a defining feature of his career. His work on Boo of the Booless, Chike’s breakout album, is a masterclass in blending African influences with contemporary sounds. “Songs like Roju feel like Igbo Highlife but also have elements from Congolese, Cameroonian, and Ivorian music,” he explains. “That diversity comes from my background playing live music with people from different parts of Africa.”
This openness to fusion has made his work stand out on a global scale. Hits like Egwu by Chike and Mohbad and Intoxycated by Oxlade and Dave depict his ability to adapt his sound to various styles while maintaining a distinctive edge.
The Grammy nomination for Tomorrow marks a high point in DeeYasso’s journey, but it’s also a validation of the approach he’s taken throughout his career. “The day we recorded Tomorrow was special,” he says. “It was my first session with Yemi Alade, and we ended up recording four songs that day. With Tomorrow, we all felt something different.”
DeeYasso’s instinct to elevate the song’s African elements with choir arrangements and chants proved pivotal. “When the nomination came, it wasn’t a surprise. We knew the song was good—it’s just that now, the world knows too.”
As DeeYasso reflects on his journey, he remains devoted to creating music that stands the test of time. “I don’t worry about whether a song will blow immediately,” he says. “If it’s good, it will find its time.”
Looking ahead, Dee is exploring new collaborations and expanding his reach internationally. “I have so much more to give,” he shares. “This is just the beginning.”
