The Ghanaian music scene reached a major milestone in September 2021 when Amaarae’s remix Sad Girlz Luv Money became a global hit. The track not only highlighted her unique artistry but also sparked what many described as a disco-girl wave, bringing fresh sounds rarely heard in the region.
Amaarae, who grew up in New Jersey but remains deeply tied to her Ghanaian roots, has since emerged as a trailblazer. Her music connects powerfully with both local and international audiences.
Her latest project, Black Star, proves this even further. The bold cover art shows Amaarae reclining in glossy black latex against Ghana’s red, gold, and green flag. She positions herself as the missing Black Star—Ghana’s national emblem—offering a striking representation of identity to her global fanbase.
Over the years, Amaarae has collaborated with icons such as Janelle Monáe, Rina Sawayama, and Childish Gambino. Describing the new album, she called it “a genesis of me feeling sure and confident,” adding that she felt a deeper bond with her Ghanaian audience while creating it.
Building on the emotional songwriting of Fountain Baby (2023), Black Star presents a sharper, bolder, and unapologetic sound. Amaarae expresses love and hate with equal fire, while themes of sex and drugs—key to the disco-girl persona—shape much of the storytelling. Producer Kyu Steed leads the album’s expansive sonic landscape.
The album’s sampling deserves special attention. On Free The Youth, Amaarae reimagines Deeba’s classic Deeba, a song instantly familiar to millions of Ghanaians. The title also nods to the revolutionary youth movement and clothing brand founded in 2016, layering cultural meaning onto the track.
Other highlights include Kiss Me Thru the Phone Pt 2, which flips The Thong Song into a modern sequel to Soulja Boy’s hit. Starkilla borrows from Kelis’ Milkshake, while She Is My Drug, co-produced with El Guincho, explores Amaarae’s idea of “love off the drugs” over a reworked version of Cher’s Believe.
Critics have praised the project widely. Pitchfork’s Walden Green rated Black Star 8.8/10, giving it the coveted “Best New Music” label, and wrote: “Black Star is the record you make when you can finally afford the best drugs and the suite with a view, lavish them on a lover (or several), and begin to ask yourself: Is this all there is?” Similarly, Shaad D’Souza of The Guardian gave the album four stars, noting: “It’s fitting for an album that is deliriously in love with wealth, celebrity, and all the power it affords.”
👉 Stream Amaarae’s Black Star album HERE.