The Ghanaian music industry experienced a turning point in September 2021 with the global success of Amaarae’s remix Sad Girlz Luv Money.
The track not only showcased her unique artistry but also ushered in what many called a ‘disco-girl’ wave, introducing fresh sounds and melodies rarely heard in the region.
Amaarae, who grew up in New Jersey but remains deeply connected to her Ghanaian roots, has since become a trailblazer in creating music that resonates with both local and international audiences.
Her latest album is proof of that. Titled Black Star, with cover art as bold as expected from the singer, listeners are met with an alluring image of Amaarae reclining in glossy black latex. Her posture is both fierce and relaxed, set against Ghana’s red, gold and green flag. She positions herself as the missing Black Star, Ghana’s national emblem, presenting a striking showcase of Ghanaian identity to her vast global fanbase.
Having collaborated with international stars including Janelle Monáe, Rina Sawayama and Childish Gambino, Amaarae describes the album as “a genesis of me feeling sure and confident”. She also said she felt a stronger connection to her Ghanaian audience during its creation.
While carrying forward the emotive songwriting of her 2023 project Fountain Baby, on Black Star her delivery is sharper, more assertive and unapologetically dominant. Love and hate are expressed with equal intensity, while themes of sex and drugs, central to the disco-girl persona, run throughout the album’s storytelling. The production, led by Kyu Steed, underpins its bold, expansive sound.
The sampling on Black Star deserves special recognition. Nowhere is it more impactful than on Free The Youth, which reimagines Deeba’s classic Deeba, a song instantly recognisable to millions of Ghanaians. The title also echoes the revolutionary clothing brand and youth movement founded in 2016, making the cultural reference even more layered and powerful.
Other standout moments include Kiss Me Thru the Phone Pt 2, which flips The Thong Song into what feels like a spiritual sequel to Soulja Boy’s original hit. Starkilla borrows from Kelis’ Milkshake, while She Is My Drug, co-produced with El Guincho, hears Amaarae reflecting on her belief in “love off the drugs”, laid over the melody of Cher’s Believe.
The album has earned widespread critical acclaim. Pitchfork’s Walden Green awarded Black Star 8.8 out of 10 and the coveted “Best New Music” label, writing: “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, who gave the album four stars, observed: “It’s fitting for an album that is deliriously in love with wealth, celebrity and all the power it affords.”
Stream Amaarae’s Black Sar album HERE.
Source: Prince Nutifafa Letsu
