B-Side Guys

In the increasingly homogenized landscape of contemporary hip-hop, linguistic diversity often takes a backseat to commercial accessibility. Nadeem Din-Gabisi’s latest single “Enter Claim” stands as a defiant counterpoint to this trend, weaving together English, Pidgin, and West African linguistic patterns into a tapestry that mirrors the complexities of diasporic identity.

As the third single from his forthcoming LP ‘OFFSHORE’ (due August 2025 via Moshi Moshi Records), “Enter Claim” builds upon the foundation established by previous releases “I Land” and “Chariots.” What distinguishes this latest offering is Din-Gabisi’s masterful deployment of code-switching as both stylistic technique and political statement. The chorus—delivered primarily in Nigerian Pidgin with phrases like “Na wetin you go do wen/All the time don beaucoup”—creates a linguistic sanctuary inaccessible to outsiders without compromising its emotional resonance.

This multilingual approach reflects Din-Gabisi’s biography as a London-born artist with Sierra-Leonian parentage. The track features collaborations with Angel Seka and Divine Earth (formerly known as muva of Earth), creating a communal exchange that mirrors the traditional African griot tradition of storytelling while incorporating contemporary production techniques.

Din-Gabisi’s background as an award-winning poet, visual artist, and filmmaker informs the track’s multidimensional approach to identity politics. Rather than delivering straightforward protest rhetoric, he employs surrealist imagery and fragmented narratives to address displacement and struggle. Lines examining offshore wealth alongside grief “pouring outta pores” create jarring juxtapositions that highlight economic disparities affecting diaspora communities.

What makes “Enter Claim” particularly compelling is its refusal to provide easy resolution. The track oscillates between fatalism about systems of oppression and determined resistance, between spiritual transcendence (“I am/All that I am/That I am”) and material reality. This tension creates a dynamic listening experience that demands engagement rather than passive consumption.

As Din-Gabisi continues collecting accolades (including the Nicholas Daley x Fred Perry Music Award 2021) and high-profile collaborations (Sampa The Great, Metronomy), “Enter Claim” suggests his upcoming ‘OFFSHORE’ album will continue expanding the boundaries of UK hip-hop. By centering West African linguistic patterns and cultural references while addressing universal themes of identity and struggle, Din-Gabisi creates art that is simultaneously specific in its cultural roots and expansive in its implications—claiming space not just for himself, but for the multiplicity of experiences that constitute the modern African diaspora.