Ghana: Amaarae announces new album BLACK STAR, releases new single S.M.O.

‘S.M.O.’ blends highlife, kpanlogo, and zouk, and explores themes of sexual liberation and empowerment. The track arrives with an accompanying music video filmed in Ghana, which celebrates black identity and Ghanaian heritage through striking visuals and high-energy choreography. The video, released a day after Juneteenth, signals the start of a new creative era for Amaarae.

“For as long as I’ve made music, fusion has been my strength, and I think this comes to full fruition on ‘S.M.O.’,” Amaarae said. “The song takes inspiration from Ghanaian ‘80s highlife pioneer Ata Kak, combined with a Detroit club bassline, drum patterns reminiscent of Magic System’s 1er Gaou and Michael Jackson’s Rock With You, and a zouk-inspired melody. I feel like the new Donna Summer mixed with Control-era Janet Jackson. The message is clear and the beat makes you move.”

Amaarae recently made history as the first Ghanaian artist to perform at Coachella, where she debuted unreleased tracks from BLACK STAR and shaved her head on stage as a symbol of personal and artistic freedom. She continued her festival run with a performance at Governor’s Ball, where Ghanaian fans waved flags in support.

She is scheduled to perform at major festivals this summer and autumn, including Glastonbury, AfroNation, Lollapalooza, Osheaga, and Lowlands, bringing her signature blend of Afropop, alternative R&B, and experimental sounds to global audiences.

Her new work builds on the success of Fountain Baby, which earned widespread acclaim and was named the best album of 2023 by Metacritic, with additional praise from Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, and The New Yorker. The album, featuring hit singles ‘Angels in Tibet’ and ‘Reckless and Sweet’, established Amaarae as a rising star in global pop.

Since her breakthrough with the 2017 single ‘Fluid’, Amaarae has consistently championed fluidity and self-expression. Her 2020 debut album THE ANGEL YOU DON’T KNOW featured the global hit ‘Sad Girlz Luv Money’ (Remix) with Kali Uchis and Moliy. She also contributed A Body, A Coffin to Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Prologue EP and has collaborated with artists including Childish Gambino, Stormzy, Janelle Monáe, 6LACK, Kaytranada, Babyface, and Tiwa Savage.

Amaarae’s upcoming album BLACK STAR is poised to further cement her place as a bold voice shaping the future of global music.

You can pre-save or pre-order the BLACK STAR album here.