[2] Naru has been particularly successful in Europe, where she lived from 2008 until joining the music faculty at University of California, Santa Cruz in 2024.

It was Akua's grandmother who took her to church, where she met strong, assertive women in the community, which led to her interest in the revolutionary ideas of Angela Davis, Malcolm X and Assata Shakur.

Akua left the U.S. to travel to China, ultimately moving to Cologne, Germany, in 2011, where she created her first album "The Journey Aflame" which was produced by "The Drumkidz".

Naru's work is inspired by Toni Morrison and the history of Black women in the United States.

Akua Naru has been a guest speaker at universities throughout the US, Germany, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, and Sudan.