Paul Nii Amu Andrew Darko, also known as DarkoVibes, is a Ghanaian-born singer/songwriter. As an artist, music is something that has been a part of his entire life. However, it was not until he first stepped foot in a recording studio whilst high school to record a chorus for a song that belonged to a friend of his that moment came when he knew that music was what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. Linking up with his childhood friend Ghanaian producer Vacs, who helped him narrow his musical path, producing his breakout single “Mercy” in early 2016, everything for him changed after that point.

Fast forward to 2022, countless singles and two albums later, his upcoming BUTIFLY is taking Darko to new levels in his career. “This album is called BUTIFYLY, and the concept of it is to teach everyone that there’s just enough space for everyone in the skies, to tell everybody anything is possible and we can do anything that we put our minds to.” The first single of the project, Je M’apelle, featured Davido and has been followed by several singles including Jealousy with Boomski Radio and the P.Priime-produced summer anthem HAPPP DAY.

All these provide a taste of the album to come, which includes his hip-hop influences mixed with highlife Afrobeats and blended into the sound he has been synonymous with. Yao is the album’s latest single, turning the tide with a more spiritual and profound meaning than the previous tracks. “The phrase Yao is a form of affirmation. In our Ghanian tradition, when we have ceremonies, the chief or whoever is the head of the family will come and then start praying. Yao is part of the response, which means may it come to pass/we stand firm. It responds to what is being prayed for, like you would say, Amen. It’s a form of affirmation guaranteeing that whatever the prayer, it will happen.”

The track is another multilingual offering, set against a drill and afrobeat-infused beat. However, it is something that Darko wanted to make for more. Specifically, the young generation should remember the older traditional practices and hold to the meaning of the words as they navigate everyday life.

“My whole life, I have been a music enthusiast. Like I love music”

– DARKOVIBES

It is no secret that when we look at the touchpoint centre for Afrobeats on the African continent, Ghana and Nigeria are the geographical originators of a sound that has exploded globally and has transformed the musical landscape of West Africa into something that continues to grow daily. In these past couple of years alone, artists like Ckay, Rema, BNXN, Fireboy DML, Ayra Starr, Asakae and Oxlade (to name a few) have emerged and continued to carry the torch of the next generation of Afrobeats starts. Their talent is undeniable and so explicitly linked to the cultural heritage of the West African region. But, whilst these are just a few of the names and faces we have seen across the African borders and soar across the globe, many more continue to rise and build and come through.

For Darko, who has been making music for some time, it is something that one may say was destined for him as his beginnings to music came to him at a relatively young age. “My whole life, I have been a music enthusiast. Like I love music. I love listening to music. I love searching for new music all the time. So I’m not even surprised that I found myself in a space where I can create music and do what I do for a living. The first time I went into a studio, I was in high school, and I went to write a chorus for a friend of mine, and I loved the way I sounded on a microphone; from that moment, I knew that this was something I wanted to do and I’ve never really looked back ever since.”

A series of following events included working with Vacs, which has also been a significant moment for him as the two have had a long-standing relationship personally and professionally. “He grew up in the same neighbourhood as me. So yeah, we’ve been family, and the working relationship was amazing. But as it stands right now, I have developed into a different artist, which has given me a chance and opportunity to work with different creatives worldwide. But I feel like working with Vacs was superb, and we’ve done many great things throughout my career so far.”

And whilst his early work with Vacs brought him to the mainstream, in the beginning, collaborating with producers like Kuvie and a forming collective band, La Même Gang, also helped take him to the levels in his career. As part of the collective, they released two studio albums which included their hits “Godzilla” (2017) & Reveal (2018) and earned five nominations at the 2018 VGMAs. All these moments have felt that they have led Darko to where he is supposed to be with all the lessons and experiences he has had that have brought him to this moment in his life.

With everything I have been through, I understand how the music business operates better now. When I started doing this, it was more about passion and dedication. Right now, I have studied a lot. I’ve learned so much, and I’ve noticed there’s also a lot of business involved. So, that’s one thing that I’ve learned and has helped me; it has also taught me to be mindful and present. This is like putting me in a position to think correctly or be a better person. Because every day I learn something new.”

As we reach the end of the conversation, this next album and this next phase from Darko will be a big moment for him. Everything we heard and is yet to attend will contribute significantly to the DarkoVibes catalogue.

BUTIFLY is undoubtedly going to be his most personal project to date, and not only in terms of what we hear but matched with the visuals and everything surrounding the project and the message of the album, it is a significant project for him. “Looking at the album and how we are putting everything together, the whole message and meaning of it all are just to let everyone know that anything is possible. And we show that when we hear the music and see the music video, it is putting it out there for people to see that this is possible.”

Stream ‘Yao’ –

Follow DarkoVibes : @darkovibes

Credits:

Photographer: Kwame Koda

Art Design: Lazy Goat Club

Words: Seneo Mwamba