In the realm of progressive sounds that transcend genres, singer-songwriter Darkua reintroduces herself as an artist unafraid to experiment with her EP, U'VE BEEN HERE B4. The four-track project leans into Darkua’s unique approach to Afro-soul and R&B, showcasing her ability to navigate through sounds and subject matter alike. Initially starting out exclusively as a live performer, Darkua began recording her music at the request of her audience. Drawing inspiration from her dual Ghanaian and Nigerian heritage, U'VE BEEN HERE B4 is a meticulously crafted endeavour, carefully designed to elicit genuine connections. In a rare display of musical fluidity, U'VE BEEN HERE B4 is a concise musical output crafted to subvert expectations while giving a brief glimpse into Darkua’s potential. Here, Darkua discusses each track and the influences that shaped the project. “Amalelor” “‘Amalelor’ was produced by Victorious, but I personally wrote the melodies and lyrics. It's a deeply personal song because it revolves around my cousin's breakup. As I was writing the song, I found myself playing the role of her amatuer therapist, trying to console her during this difficult time. The advice I was giving her transformed into the song lyrics. Even though it's not my experience, it sounds very intimate, because of my close relationship with the situation described in the song.” “Echo” “‘I recorded ‘Echo’ three different ways before I felt it was ready for release. So at first, when people listen to ‘Echo’ they are like, ‘I love the melodies; the vibes are good; the song is nice,’ but once they pay attention to the lyrics, they're very surprised. The song touches on a topic not really explored by female artists in Africa: sexual positivity. The inspiration for 'Echo' came to me after watching the movie Fifty Shades of Grey. I challenged myself to create something different. Interestingly, it is my mum’s favourite song, primarily because of the melodies. It was only when she heard me briefly explaining the song's inspiration in an interview that she was genuinely surprised. ‘Echo’ holds a special place in my heart, it’s the second song I ever wrote as a songwriter. It feels like a testament to my growth and evolution as an artist.” “Go Low” ‘Nowadays, amapiano is everywhere you go; you can't escape it. The sound was stuck in my head, and one day, while in my room, I found myself naturally drawn to write something that was amapiano-inspired. Initially, I didn't think much of it, considering it just a creative thing. However, fate led me to Ugly's studio; he’s a close friend and talented producer. I shared with him what I had written, and the response from people was overwhelmingly positive. It allowed me to show a different side of myself. I'm glad I took that leap because it's opened up new doors and given people an opportunity to experience a different facet of my artistry.’ “You” “‘You’ is a highlife-inspired love song. It was one of the songs that I had fun creating because the process was very casual. Writing love songs has always been a source of joy for me, and 'You' evokes memories of the songs I grew up listening to and the artists who inspired me along the way."