In her ‘Black Star’ era, Amaarae is more fearless — and more herself — than ever

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Amaarae’s first performance at the Coachella festival in April was powerfully confident. She walked onstage wearing a striking black outfit, tall boots, and a long wig, and dramatically shaved her head during the show. Behind her, the flag of Ghana was revealed and waved in the desert breeze, creating a memorable scene.

After performing popular songs like “Sad Girlz Luv Money” and sharing some new music, the artist confidently told the Coachella audience, “Ghana is here!” She also showcased music by other talented Ghanaian artists, including Joey B, Asakaa Boys, Eazzy, and La Même Gang. As the first solo female artist from Ghana to perform at Coachella, she understood that this performance wasn’t just about her – it was a historic moment for her country on a massive global stage.

Amaarae, 31, explained to The Times in a Zoom interview that she felt a huge amount of pressure throughout the day of the performance. She said there were numerous issues behind the scenes that made getting to the actual show really challenging.

After the show, I realized this was a lifelong dream come true,” Amaarae explains. She recently toured with Sabrina Carpenter and was thrilled to be the first person representing her country in this way – she called it an amazing experience.

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Amaarae, a singer who grew up between the US and Ghana, has always celebrated her Ghanaian heritage through her music. However, her third album, “Black Star,” released in August, is her most confident and impactful work yet. The album is a unique blend of genres and proudly showcases Ghanaian culture – from the cover art, which features Amaarae as the Black Star from the national flag, to a collaboration with Ghanaian artist Bree Runway. She even filmed the music video for her song “Free the Youth” at Accra’s Independence Square (also known as Black Star Square), something she previously thought wouldn’t be possible.

Amaarae’s song “Black Star” expertly mixes different dance music genres with her unique vocals. The high-energy track combines sounds from Brazil’s Baile funk, Detroit ghettotech, Chicago house, and Jersey club, while also incorporating influences from local Ghanaian music, creating a vibrant and exciting sound.

Amaarae enjoys collaborating with artists who push creative boundaries. Her recent album features a diverse range of collaborators, including supermodel Naomi Campbell, singer Charlie Wilson, and rising artists PinkPantheress and Zacari. She also worked with popular producers like Bnyx, known for his work with Yeat and Drake, on energetic tracks like “Fineshyt” and “S.M.O.,” and Spanish producer El Guincho, who has collaborated with Camila Cabello, on songs like “Starkilla” and “She Is My Drug.”

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Following the release of her EP ‘Eusexua’ earlier this year, British artist FKA Twigs is now sharing its companion album, ‘Eusexua Afterglow.’

Amaarae is kicking off a small preview tour before her main one with a show at the Hollywood Palladium on Thursday. She describes the event, called the “Black Star Experience,” as something that could start as a concert and unexpectedly become something more like a passionate speech. Knowing Amaarae – who is a Cancer sun, Pisces rising, and Gemini moon – you can expect the unexpected, so she suggests letting go of any preconceived notions and just enjoying the ride.

Amaarae recently shared personal thoughts in a candid conversation, discussing her growing connection with her home country after years of feeling alienated, her views on who truly deserves the label of “pop star,” how a family loss has changed her outlook on life and her career, and what’s currently inspiring her.

This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

During my Coachella performance, singer Amindi shaved my head, and I said I felt “finally free” afterward. It was about letting go of who I felt I had to be. Doing it on stage, with so many people watching – especially in Ghana – felt powerful because I’ve often been a pioneer for Ghana and Africa as an artist. I think I’m one of the few who openly blends genres, supports the LGBTQ+ community through my work, and challenges traditional expectations of what it means to be African. I wanted to show other young women that there’s liberation in truly embracing your authentic self. Leading up to the ‘Black Star’ album, I felt a lot of pressure to conform, to fit a certain mold, because people constantly reminded me of my African identity. At that moment, I decided I was done with that. I was going to do exactly what I wanted, regardless of expectations.

You mentioned that your trip to Ghana last winter changed how you felt about your connection to home. Can you describe what that experience was like? It was really surprising. I’d been going back to Ghana every December, but I lived there until around 2022, and I always felt a bit of resistance – like people thought I was different, not truly one of them. But when I went back in December 2024, it was completely different. People seemed genuinely proud, like they were acknowledging that I’d achieved something despite the odds, and that I’d done it my own way. What was most surprising was how many older women told me I was inspirational and aspirational. My aunts and grandmothers even gather to watch my performances – they all got together in Maryland to watch my appearance on “Kimmel” and sent me a video. When things like that happen, I feel like all the sacrifices they made – giving birth to their children, bringing them to America, paying for their education – are finally paying off. It feels like we’re breaking cycles and overcoming past mistakes. They’re seeing their children live new lives, pursue their dreams, and make their own choices, and I can only imagine how rewarding that must be for them.

You mentioned creating a different persona for your album, “Black Star.” While you’re naturally more of a homebody, the album feels very energetic and bold. What led you to explore this more outgoing side of yourself?

It started with my roots as a rapper. My cousin, who taught me music production, told me I wasn’t a great rapper, but that I had a unique vocal quality – almost like an auto-tuned chipmunk – that would work well with singing. As I developed as an artist, I became known for more melodic, emotional songs, but I always kept this rap side hidden, usually only using it on collaborations. I started feeling restricted by always being seen as the artist who does romantic and sad songs, so I decided to just go for it and embrace this playful, mischievous character that I hadn’t really shown before. It’s a side of me I’d been suppressing, and I wanted people to understand that I have this other energy – a bit of a wild side – that’s usually reserved for those closest to me.

For the release of my album, ‘Black Star,’ I wanted to do something different than a typical promotion. I hosted events in cities like L.A., New York, Paris, and Ghana, essentially parties where I could share the new music with my fans. I really wanted to get direct feedback from women, because my music is made for them. They would tell me what they liked and didn’t like while they were actually experiencing the vibe of the songs, and I used their suggestions to make changes. I wanted them to feel included in the whole process, not just listen to the music. So, depending on the city, we’d shoot visuals for specific songs or just have a party, like we did in Ghana with ‘B2B.’ It felt good to give my fans a chance to see themselves reflected in both the music and the visuals we created.

We’re bringing the “Black Star Experience” to the Hollywood Palladium on Thursday. We decided to do these special shows instead of a full tour right away because we wanted to perform in the cities that have been the most supportive. Los Angeles is where we first streamed “Black Star,” so it felt right to come back here. We had a great party in New York, and we wanted to recreate that energy. And finally, we’re going to Ghana because it’s important to me to perform there again – it’s been five years! Ultimately, I just wanted to put on a fun, energetic concert without a lot of complicated choreography. I’ve noticed fans really appreciate that raw, unfiltered energy, and that’s what we’re aiming for – just lights, music, and a great time.

Let me tell you what you’re in for with this show. Honestly, I’d advise going in completely open-minded. Just like the music itself, the show is all about exploration and discovery. We’ve crafted the music specifically to support that, and trust me, there are plenty of surprises along the way. I don’t want to spoil anything, but it could genuinely begin as a typical concert experience and evolve into something… well, almost like a sermon. It’s a journey, and you really won’t see it coming.

Throughout your career, you’ve managed to stay true to yourself while achieving global success in pop music. What does being a pop star mean to you now, and has your definition of success changed as your fanbase has grown?

To be honest, the idea of being a pop star doesn’t really resonate with me at the moment. I’m constantly inspired by legends like Rihanna, Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, and Madonna – artists who truly set the standard. I don’t find myself looking to current pop stars for inspiration. I think that says a lot about the level of talent and the desire for artists to be genuinely innovative. It feels like the idea of a ‘pop star’ has changed, becoming more about what’s popular on social media. I’m not sure if artists are investing the same amount of effort, practice, and thought into their craft as those icons did. I don’t know if anyone today truly deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Michael Jackson, Prince, Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Madonna, but I hope that changes in the future.

After ten years in this business, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about what’s next. Honestly, I’m starting to lose faith in the future of music itself. I can try to make a difference, but I don’t see that lasting forever. So, for the next decade, I really want to focus on building a strong family and creating a supportive, creative environment back home. I want to give others the resources they need to succeed in the music industry, but also prioritize their well-being – their mental, physical, and emotional health. I think I have one more album left in me, and after that… I just want to disappear and have some peace.

Wow, just one more?
Yeah.

That’s really surprising to hear. Has this been on your mind for a while now? Well, my stepmother recently passed away from cancer, and we’re a very close family. I usually only get to go home once a year for a couple of weeks, which meant I missed a lot of important events like weddings and birthdays. But the hardest part was that I wasn’t able to connect with my stepmother during her last six to eight months because I was so focused on work. When she passed away right before the Grammy nominations were announced, it made me rethink everything. I realized what truly matters to me is my family and spending time with them, something I haven’t been able to do while living so far away. Everything I do now is motivated by and dedicated to my family, honoring their name and wanting to protect and provide for them. It was a really emotional time, and it completely changed my perspective on why I do what I do.

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I’m truly sorry to hear about your loss, and I appreciate you sharing that with me. Knowing how much you’ve been handling, I’m curious to know what’s been giving you strength and what’s brought you joy lately. For me, it’s been discovering the album “hooke’s law” by KeiyaA. I listened to it at just the right moment, and it really reignited my passion for music and art. It made me think deeply about my identity as a woman and as a person, and it was incredibly healing. The fact that she wrote, produced, and arranged everything herself was amazing – it reminded me that there are still artists creating genuinely from the heart, with a powerful and specifically Black perspective, is really important.

I recently discovered an amazing experimental jazz pianist named Precious Renee Tucker and have been following her work. It’s a good reminder that true talent still exists, and lately, I’ve been particularly inspired by Black women artists and musicians who are creating incredible work. For example, Precious Renee Tucker opened for Solange at a recent library event in New York, and her piano playing was fantastic – moments like that really give me hope.

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2025-12-04 14:35