Ghanaian R&B singer Darkua is entering a new chapter with “KNOW YOU,” a soulful new single featuring Nigerian artist and Chocolate City signee TAR1Q. The record brings together two artists who found an instant creative connection in the studio, turning shared ideas about love, second chances, and vulnerability into a song that refuses to shy away from emotion.
In this conversation, Darkua opens up about the making of “KNOW YOU,” her creative chemistry with TAR1Q, the evolution of her sound, the emotional response she wants from listeners, and why she believes the fusion of Ghanaian and Nigerian melodies can create something truly special.
For readers discovering Darkua for the first time, how would you describe yourself and your sound?
Darkua: Very straightforward, no ‘passing through the corners’. Very audacious.
You’re back with your new single “KNOW YOU.” What inspired the song, and what story did you want to tell?
Darkua: It was just shared ideas between myself and TAR1Q in the studio. We’re both really passionate about love, so we wanted to convey that through this song. It really isn’t a crime to give a love interest another chance. Well, only if what caused the separation isn’t absurd.
“KNOW YOU” features Nigerian artist and Chocolate City signee TAR1Q. How did the collaboration come about?
Darkua: He has been on my radar for some time. And I also believe in divine timing. There was a camp in March by CNM French music x RainLabs. God being so good, we were paired on the last day, and KNOW YOU was the last recorded song at the camp.”
Was the song created specifically with a collaboration in mind, or did the idea to bring TAR1Q on come later?
Darkua: It was created from scratch in a few hours, from Auggie’s production, down to the writing by TAR1Q and myself.
How would you say your sound has evolved since you first started making music?
Darkua: Omg! I keep blowing my mind after every recording. It just keeps getting better, sonically and lyrically.
Was there a particular emotion you wanted listeners to experience when they hear “KNOW YOU”?
Darkua: Um.. TAR1Q and I wanted the listeners to feel emotions they didn’t know they could feel, and it’s working. Hard guys and girls feel like softies when they listen to the song. Mission accomplished. *wink*
Ghana and Nigeria have such strong musical connections. What do you think artists from both countries can bring to each other creatively?
Darkua: Merging both melodies from Ghana and Nigeria is a treasure that I think artists from both countries need to tap into. We have gems like Mr Eazi & Efya on SKIN TIGHT, Sarkodie & Burna Boy on SPECIAL SOMEONE, Darkua & TAR1Q on KNOW YOU, and the list goes on.
What made TAR1Q the right artist for this particular record?
Darkua: Honestly, it was the chemistry in the studio that day. We were both really involved in the creative process. It was not a ‘do your thing, let me do my thing’ situation in the studio. We sought each other’s opinion on every word and every melody.
As a Ghanaian R&B artist, what do you see as the biggest opportunity for Ghanaian R&B to reach a wider international audience?
Darkua: The international audience has so many complete English R&B songs to listen to. I wish more of the artists making r&b in Ghana would add a bit of their local dialect. It could be pidgin or how certain words are pronounced.
Describe Darkua in One Word?
Darkua: Unpredictable
Dream Collab?
Darkua: Darkua x Tems, Darkua x Cina Soul, Darkua x Efya, Darkua x Jorja Smith. Should I continue? Darkua x Tiwa Savage, Darkua x H.E.R, Darkua x Kehlani, Darkua x Raye. I’ll end here.
Message to Fans and Readers.
Darkua: To the readers, thank you for reading this far. I hope I was able to convince you to stay hooked! To my supporters, I’ve come this far because of your continuous support. Thank you for your support through the years. I don’t take it for granted. I love you!
There’s clearly more to Darkua than simply making another R&B song. “KNOW YOU” captures an artist who is becoming increasingly confident in her sound, while still leaving room to explore softer, more vulnerable emotions.
