Transnational artist Maike Valentina Kusserow aka Daada released her single ‘Moonlight’ on the 12th of April via Daada Music. In 2023 Daada not only performed at Sofar Sounds (Germany and Netherlands) and the Reeperbahn Festival, but has been cultivating her unique sound that evokes a universe between Africa and Latin America. Daada recently went viral on TikTok and Instagram in Kenya, amassing over 500K views on two videos of her singing. Her music has earned Spotify and Boomplay editorial playlisting, airplay and interviews in Europe, Africa and Latin America from the likes of RBB Fritz (DE), Radio Eins (DE), Global's Smooth Chill by Global (UK), East Africa TV & Radio (TZ), TBC2 (TZ), Clouds (TZ), Nation FM (KE), attention from digital & print media (i.e. The Citizen (TZ), RBB Kultur (DE), Verdadera Locura (ES)) as well as a nomination by Amazon Music Germany Breakthrough & All Hands on Deck as Top-6 Newcomer. In June 2024, Daada will be releasing a second EP created between Berlin, Bogota and Nairobi.
A German-Colombian artist raised in Tanzania, Daada is now based between East Africa and Berlin. She began songwriting at age seven, accompanied by her violin. A few years later she picked up her grandma’s old guitar and never looked back; weaving stories in English, Spanish, Swahili and German ever since. 'Daada' derives from Swahili for 'sister'; paying homage to the multicultural universe that holds Daada's music and of course to sister- and womanhood: cornerstones of her message. Her first experience in a recording studio was in Lewes in the UK, after her secondary school headmaster heard her perform original songs and sent her there to his friend who owned the studio. She then went on to study at the University of Warwick in the UK.
Initially influenced by Shakira (her idol to this day), Nelly Furtado and Taylor Swift, Daada began to draw inspiration from a wider range of sounds as she grew older. Her genre palette is vibrant, from Reggaeton and Cumbia to Bongo Fleva, Amapiano and Indie - she feels inspired by artists from around the globe. Her unique sound is sure to be enjoyed by those who would appreciate it if Billie Eilish, Karol G and Ayra Starr were fused into an unexpected, fresh take on Pop.
‘’Moonlight’ is an enchanting and infectious tune. Daada's unique vocals are refreshing. Between her exquisite voice and the afro-colombian rhythm of the track, a dance is created between the two, perfectly in sync with each other. One can't help but to be drawn in with a sense of comfortable hypnosis and intrigue.
Daada divulged: “‘Moonlight’ is the result of a great deal of inner turmoil rushing out of me and into a song in an hour or two last September. It is an explosion of emotions. The best thing about it is that it’s also an explosion of the different places I am from and a journey through them. It’s trilingual. On one hand it was made by two Colombians (myself and Claudio), so you will feel Reggaeton and even Cumbia vibes. At the same time you will hear an African vibe rhythmically. And of course, it was made in an apartment on Sonnenallee, one of the busiest, loudest streets of Berlin. So there’s some Berlin in it too.”