For the Nigerian-born London-raised artist, Darkoo, it doesn’t matter what timing her colleagues might be on for the year; she is sure to make the catchiest song that turns into a fairly massive hit. In 2019, she released “Gangsta,” and 2021 was the year she released her 2-1 EP—which can be interpreted as an aural and visual representation of her sexual orientation. The EP featured Tion Wayne, Gabzy, Blanco, and Unkown T. A week after Valentine’s Day in 2022, she released the long-teased “Always,” featuring Black Sherif, just as he was on a meteoric rise. Summer 2024 came, and Darkoo’s viral hit “Favorite Girl” featuring Dess Dior dropped just in time, but Darkoo wasn’t done. She decided to cap up the summer with her impressive offering of “Favorite Girl” remix with one of Africa’s global stars, Rema.
The remix was first teased at the 2024 Wireless festival, where Rema performed his verse on stage alongside Darkoo. The song originally became viral on apps like Instagram and TikTok, but with Rema on it, it offers the infectious music a wider reach. Rema infuses a dancehall groove into the track, blending it with his signature melody as an Afrobeats artist. One may argue that Darkoo’s “Favorite Girl” featuring Dess Dior was a great record and didn’t need another remix. But Rema proved that it can in fact be a flawless record with just 36 minutes on the track. His delivery compliments the infectious music, extending its appeal for a couple more months. It certainly fits today’s Best New Music spot.
