Darkua Selected as Apple Music's Up Next Artist For Ghana, Brings Afrofusion Sounds To The Global Stage

Apple Music revealed that alternative singer-songwriter Darkua, also known as Naa Darkua Chinonye Wristberg, has been chosen as the next artist to be featured in its renowned Up Next artist development program in Ghana.

Darkua expressed her excitement, stating, "Being selected as Apple Music's Up Next for Ghana feels like a dream! It almost felt impossible at a point. Knowing how it all started for me, this is a huge step in my career as an Afrofusion artist." She also shared her aspirations to empower women through her music, particularly with her recently released single, ECHO, which promotes confidence in sexual lives and encourages women to pursue their desires.

Darkua's musical journey has been deeply influenced by the rich sounds of her Ghanaian and Nigerian heritage. Raised on the music of legendary artists like A.B Crenstil, E.T Mensah, and Lagbaja, her upbringing played a significant role in shaping her unique musical style.

Her debut single, Amalelor (2021), produced by Viqtorioz, made a splash in the Ghanaian music scene, quickly becoming a fan favorite and receiving widespread airplay on FM stations across the country.

After dedicating a year to refining her craft, Darkua released her fourth single, Echo (2023), another collaboration with Viqtorioz. The empowering Afro-soul track showcases her growth as an artist, highlighting her ability to deliver infectious grooves while fearlessly expressing her desires and satisfaction in intimate relationships.

Apple Music's Up Next program has a history of recognizing and promoting emerging talents globally. Previous African artists featured include Grammy-winning superstars Burna Boy and Tems. With the expansion of the program to showcase South African and Nigerian talents, Apple Music has become a platform that showcases the diverse sounds emerging from the continent.

As the latest Up Next act from Ghana, Darkua will be prominently featured on Apple Music's Ghana Up Next playlist. This carefully curated playlist highlights new and emerging artists, selected by Apple Music editors from around the world. The Up Next playlist is known for its genre diversity and provides a platform for artists to reach a broader audience.

Darkua joins an esteemed roster of past Up Next talent, including Grammy-nominated artists such as Billie Eilish, Khalid, and H.E.R., as well as rising stars like Megan Thee Stallion, Burna Boy, and Tems. With this exciting opportunity, Darkua is poised to take her Afrofusion sounds to the global stage, capturing the hearts of music lovers around the world.