Crushes Will Fade But Desta French’s “Needing U” Is Forever

There is special cachet of instantly recognisable music. Souls of Mischief's impeccable ode to immortal life, "93 Til' Infinity", is one such track. Even if you haven't seen the music video – a luscious blend of mountains, fresh spring water and vintage rap clobber – and even if you can't recall the lyrics, you'll recognise that beat, straight from East Oakland, California. This shit is as iconic as the Golden Gate Bridge.

It's rare, then, for such a singular track to be given a refresh. But here in all its sun-soaked glory it returns as the production base for soulful R&B singer Desta French's latest track "Needing U" – a moment, she says, of serendipity (or at least spooky coincidence), as her track was unknowingly released 24 years to the day after "93 Til' Infinity" hit shelves.

But rewind for a quick second. For those not already in the know, Desta French is an artist from north London with roots somewhere between Italy and Colombia. At a time when partying for most teenagers meant the odd weekend when someone's parents vacated town and left their sofas and carpets to be spilled on, Desta found her way into London's Colombian clubs. And when she couldn't get in? She simply stayed home – her family had been hosting parties for themselves and their friends since Desta was a child.

Having experimented with melodies as a child (in the way children often do, singing around the house), Desta later decided to pick up music for herself. And in doing so, she finishes drawing a circle starting with her heritage, extending to her university studies her university studies (Latin and the arts) and culminating in expressing those influences by creating something of her own. Debut track "Take You For Dead" was released two years ago and a few releases down the line we're up to date with today's release of the video for "Needing U".

Aside from the previously mentioned production, the first thing you're going to notice is the colour. Summer may be a distant dream but in this video it exists in blue skies and a London estate that looks as though it could be somewhere more European. "That's something I aspire toward," says Desta of the blend between two places. "Even though there are cultural references that are very London, I consciously think about my heritage and the way I would like things to be perceived."

And as for the theme of the track? It's a bit of a misnomer. Those moments where you think you need someone, but really you're bringing your own issues into a relationship? Yeah. It's one of them ones. Desta explains: "It's about confusion within yourself, when you trick yourself into believing you need to be with someone."

"I tried to keep this thing alive," Desta sings, "but I'm sick of needing you." It's a line focused on those feelings that come from an experience that you wouldn't quite call love – rather than the comfort love represents, "Needing U" latches onto a more desperate and self-centred uncertainty. Basically: all that shit you've been carrying since summer? Let it go, wrap up for winter and blast this at an adequate volume so you don't hurt your ears but also enough that everything else has been drowned out.

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