Next To Me: Darrien Luke's latest Amapiano hit and his musical journey
Growing up in a musical family, Darrien Luke Samuel's love affair with music began at a young age.
His father's guitar playing and singing-alongs sparked a passion that intensified over time.
"I truly fell in love with music when I heard the song Amazing Grace for the first time and knew that’s what I wanted to do with my life, sing," said Samuel, who goes by the stage name Darrien Luke.
His latest song Next To Me was released recently and is playing on radio stations such as East Coast Radio, Sunrise FM, Happy Valley Radio, Southside FM and Lotus FM.
This 30-year-old, of Chatsworth, who is also a songwriter, dancer and actor, said his parents supported his musical endeavours, allowing him to explore his creativity.
His journey began with writing his first song, Angel, in 2012. However, it wasn't until his first official release, New Love, in 2016, that he started gaining traction on local radio stations.
"I didn't take music seriously when I wrote Angel. It was only later on that I started taking it more seriously and when I released New Love, it went well and was played on Durban Youth Radio.”
His subsequent releases, including I Wanna Know in 2017, and the gospel album Merciful in 2019, earned him two Gospel Crown and two Ngoma awards.
“My 2021 collaboration with Tehillah Faith in Over You garnered local and international attention. Last year, I produced Angel on Valentine's Day and it will be played in a movie next year. My next smash hit was Akekho, which surpassed thousands of streams and views across various streaming platforms.
"The success of Akekho has only fuelled my rise. I recently made appearances on popular television shows such as Hectic Nine 9 and Expresso. I also made a Tamil rap song that was played in the film Kings of Mulberry Street 2."
Darrien's latest release, Next to Me, is an Amapiano track.
“My previous singles were sparked by a bad break up. This new song is more about how I want to and should be treated now. I would like to continue making music that people can relate to. I make music based on personal experiences, so I want to make more of that because I love the entertainment industry.”
With a passion for acting, he has appeared in Imbewu: The Seed, The Kandasamys, did a cameo in Blood Legacy, and will feature in an upcoming short film. As a dancer, he was part of the Dhamaka Dance Academy, which performed the opening dance at the Durban Exhibition Centre for Raymond Ramnarine, a chutney soca and Bollywood singer from Trinidad and Tobago.
“I have a vast taste in music but I currently enjoy Gospel, Amapiano, and R&B. My current favourite artist is Tyla and her song Back to You. I hope to perform at festivals celebrating music culture. I want to share my music with people who appreciate art."
To aspiring artists, Darrien advises: "Keep going. People will tell you there's no money in the industry but you have to keep going and put God at the centre of it all.”
With a degree in marketing and supply chain management, Samuel works in accounts in a family business.
“It is sometimes difficult to balance work, my music and being a worship leader at church but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I am eager to collaborate with Durban artists and pursue more acting opportunities. My upcoming music video for Next to Me is slated for release within weeks.”