Darkoo, born Oluwafisayo Isa on September 18, 2001, is a Nigerian-born, British-raised music artist known for blending Afrobeats, UK drill, R&B, and dancehall into her unique sound. She moved to South London when she was just 7 and grew up in the heart of the UK rap scene, first making waves as a drill rapper before finding her voice as a singer. Before music, Darkoo dreamed of being a footballer. She played in school and was well on her way until a health scare made her faint during training—she shifted gears from the pitch to passion points in the studio soon after. Her love of music developed early, but it wasn’t her first plan. She considered studying engineering until her song “Gangsta” exploded online, dropping her plans and lifting her into artist life at just 18. She started music around age 15 while juggling jobs as a cashier at an African restaurant before things went full tilt. Born in Yaba, Lagos, and raised in South London from age 7, Darkoo blends both worlds in her identity and music. She attended St Catherine’s Catholic School for Girls and later Christ the King: Emmanuel Sixth Form in the UK. The morals of Nigeria stay with her—she calls herself a “proper Naija girl” and draws strength from both cultures.
Four: Juicy ft. Hardy Caprio
“Juicy” featuring Hardy Caprio was released in 2020 and is one of the standout tracks from Darkoo’s debut EP titled 2 In 1, which dropped in December 2020. This EP was the first official body of work where Darkoo showcased both her masculine and feminine sides—hence the title 2 In 1. It gave us smooth vocals, rap flows, and playful confidence all in one package. It has garnered over 4.4M views on it’s Official Music Video on YouTube. “Juicy” stood out as a fun, flirty anthem that let Darkoo flex her charisma and charm, while Hardy Caprio brought his laid-back swagger to balance the track. The EP also included other tracks like “Gangsta,” “Cinderella,” and “Kryptonite,” making it a full display of her versatility. Though “Juicy” didn’t chart as high as “Gangsta,” it still got solid traction on UK urban radio, streaming platforms, and social media. The music video, set in a bright, retro-style salon with a pink Cadillac and all, was giving vibrant, femme boss energy. It further cemented her as a visual artist—not just a rapper or singer. In terms of reception, critics praised the song for its catchy hook, its playful mood, and the way it continued Darkoo’s theme of owning her identity boldly. Fans loved how effortlessly she transitioned between rapping and singing, showing that her range wasn’t just a one-time thing.
FYI
- Darkoo is the first female artist to top the UK Official Afrobeats Chart.
Three: Favourite Girl
“Favourite Girl” by Darkoo dropped on May 2, 2024, and it instantly caught fire. The track is a smooth fusion of Afro beats, R&B, and UK vibes, giving it that silky, confident energy that makes you want to vibe all day. Right from the drop, it was clear Darkoo was serving up a fresh anthem celebrating confidence, authenticity, and unapologetic self-love. The catchy melody and playful lyrics made it an instant favorite across streaming platforms, social media, and parties. It has since garnered over 51M streams on spotify and over 18M views on it’s Official Music Video on YouTube. The remix featuring Nigerian superstar Rema followed soon after, boosting the song’s reach even more and creating a major buzz across the UK, Africa, and beyond. Together, their chemistry elevated the track, making it a cross-continental smash. Critics praised “Favourite Girl” for its slick production and Darkoo’s versatile vocals—effortlessly blending singing and rapping. The song stands out for its fresh take on love and empowerment without falling into tired clichés.
Two: Like Dat
“Like Dat” is Darkoo’s most recent single, released on May 15, 2025, and it’s exactly the kind of confident, high-energy anthem you’d expect from her. The song is a vibrant blend of Afroswing, hip-hop, and dancehall influences, with smooth, bouncy production handled by Sparbz, Enzo, and French. Lyrically, it’s all about being bold, stylish, and unapologetically sexy — basically, a whole baddie vibe in music form. It has garnered over 5M streams on spotify and over 1.9M views on it’s Official Music Video on YouTube. This release came just weeks before her summer EP Sexy Girl Summer (Vol. 1), and it served as the perfect warm-up, setting the tone for a season of energy, empowerment, and groove. The visuals for “Like Dat,” directed by Sam Fallover, dropped alongside the track and featured colorful, dance-heavy scenes that celebrated both her Nigerian roots and London edge. From choreography to styling, the video was giving main pop girl energy — with a full-on bossy flair. Critics and fans alike praised “Like Dat” for its catchy hook, clean beat, and the way Darkoo commands every bar with ease.
Awards/Nominations
- Darkoo was first nominated for Best Female Act and Best Newcomer at the 2020 MOBO Awards.
- In 2022, she got a Headies nomination for Best Diaspora Afrobeats Artist.
- Her biggest win came in 2025, when she won Best Female Act and Song of the Year at the MOBOs for “Favourite Girl.”
Discography
Darkoo has no official studio album yet, but she has been outside dropping heat through her EPs.
- 2 In 1(2020)
- Sexy Girl Summer (Vol. 1) (2025)
One: Gangsta
“Gangsta” is the debut single that launched Darkoo into the spotlight in late 2019, and baby, when we say it changed the game—we mean it. The track, featuring UK rapper One Acen, blended Afroswing with a laid-back drill vibe. The song went viral on TikTok almost instantly, especially for its catchy “you’re my gangsta love” hook. It didn’t just pop online—it popped on the charts too. It has garnered over 93M streams on spotify and over 37M views on it’s Official Music Video on YouTube. “Gangsta” peaked at No. 22 on the UK Singles Chart and held strong in the Top 40 for several weeks. Even more impressively, it topped the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart and ended up being the No. 1 track on the 2020 year-end Afrobeats Chart in the UK, cementing its status as a genre-defining moment. Critically, the song received massive praise for its originality and boldness. Journalists and music blogs called it genre-bending, refreshing, and a game-changer for women in UK rap. People loved how Darkoo brought a new kind of feminine energy—cool, soft-spoken, but still dominant. Although “Gangsta” didn’t win a major award immediately, it earned Darkoo a nomination for Best Female Act and Best Newcomer at the 2020 MOBO Awards. The buzz around the song also played a big role in her landing a major record deal with Virgin EMI that same year. It put her on everyone’s radar—from the UK rap scene to Afro beats global fans.