In a candid conversation on "Comfortably Speaking," musical juggernaut Darkoo offered a revealing look into her journey, from a "medium kid" navigating identity struggles to a double MOBO award-winning superstar who has firmly found her voice and purpose. Her story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and a steadfast belief in the power and influence of women in the music world.
Darkoo, whose real name is Messiah, meaning "God add happiness and peace into my life," began her musical pursuit at a young age, starting to get into music at 15 and dropping her first song with a video at 16. Her early years were marked by a period she describes as a "confusion era," where she grappled with presenting herself, oscillating between wearing makeup and wigs, and dressing like a tomboy. She recalls a pivotal moment when she posted something online without a wig or trying to be feminine, stating, "Yeah, bro, I just want to be myself". This desire for authenticity became a cornerstone of her artistic expression, famously showcased in her breakout single "Gangster," where she presented two sides of herself – "Darkisha and Darko" – a concept that solidified her identity and allowed her to truly be herself.
Her path wasn't without its significant challenges. Darkoo admits that her time with a record label, despite some enjoyment, became a period where she "wasn't happy" with herself or the music she was making. The transition to independence, though initially a result of being dropped by her label for not fulfilling a contract, proved to be a "kick up the ass" and ultimately "one of the best decisions" she ever made. This period forced her to take full accountability, shedding the reliance on others and embracing a hustler mentality, a hunger to work for herself. She highlights the immense financial investment now required to drop a song, estimating a minimum of £45,000 for video and marketing alone, underscoring the demanding nature of the independent artist landscape.
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Darkoo - “Girls Dictate Music”
A profound shift in her artistic direction came with her project, "Sexy Girl Summer." Darkoo explains that she found herself by focusing on making music for women, a theme that resonated deeply with her as a woman who naturally connects with female audiences. She emphatically states, "music in general, the world is dictated by women, accept it or don't accept it". This philosophy drives her current work, aiming to create anthems for women as they "run the world". This project, recorded in Zanzibar for its calm and inspiring scenery, marked a joyous and intentional step in her career.
Darkoo's recent successes include collaborations with major artists like Rema, Dess Dior, and Wizkid, as well as being featured on the F1 album alongside global stars. She views these achievements as a "God-driven" run, where opportunities arise organically from people genuinely connecting with her music, rather than through extensive PR efforts. This new phase of her career, characterized by a clear "purpose" and "direction," is seen as much stronger due to having the right team around her and a newfound maturity.
Beyond her music, Darkoo leads a surprisingly chill life, enjoying time at home watching TV series and eating food, aspiring one day to be a director. She finds solace in prayer, her family, and her supportive team, particularly her manager, Terry, during moments of doubt. Describing herself as the "setback queen," she embraces a fighter's mentality, viewing every obstacle as a hurdle to overcome, much like her secondary school days in track and field. Her ability to learn from setbacks, rather than letting them paralyze her, has been crucial to her growth, a stark contrast to her earlier tendency to "turn off [her] phone for a week" after a failure.
