AMAARAE: African BLACK STAR.
“One of the most exciting new artists in music.” - ELLE
BLACK STAR is the highly anticipated album from Ghanaian-American artist Amaarae set to release August 8th via Interscope Records. The international, boundary-pushing phenomenon's intoxicating blend of alternative, pop, R&B, and Afrobeats creates international disruption with bold-futuristic statements. Teasing her return with new single “S.M.O.”. A blend of highlife, kpanlogo, and zouk, unearthing themes of sexual liberation and empowerment.
The first release since Amaarae’s critically acclaimed 2023 sophomore LP Fountain Baby, “S.M.O.” arrives just after Juneteenth, accompanied by a video where sculpted physiques and pride in Ghanaian heritage take center stage. Filmed in Ghana, the high-energy celebration of beauty and power of the Black body ushers in the new era of Amaarae deemed BLACK STAR.
Amaarae expresses:
“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. The song takes inspiration from Ghanaian 80’s highlife trailblazer Ata Kak and blends it with a mean Detroit club bass, a drum roll akin to both Magic System’s “1er Gaou” & Michael Jackson’s “Rock With You” and an infectious zouk melody that sounds like a steel pan lipsing an evil synth. I feel like the new Donna Summer mixed with Control era Janet and the song pretty much speaks for itself. Like Pleasure Principle or Love To Love You Baby, I don’t know how much clearer one can get when they ask you to “SLUT ME OUT”. The message can’t be mistaken and the beat makes you move. That’s all I want to do this summer, make people dance & feel things!”
Amaarae made history at Coachella 2025 debuting as the first Ghanaian artist to grace the Indio stage. Her unique set saw the iconoclast paying homage to fellow Ghanaian artists and teasing fans with unreleased previews of new music from ‘BLACK STAR’, even going on to shave her head on stage as a representation of “the new kind of freedom” which this incoming era represents. She followed suit at Governor’s Ball 2025, rocking the stage while Ghanaian fans proudly waved their flags. Amaarae is gracing many international global stages this year including; Glastonbury, AfroNation, Lollapalooza, Maiden Voyage, and more. Amaarae’s next performance is on the West Holts Stage at 8.30pm on Saturday 28th June.
The celebratory run of festival performances follow the success of Amaarae’s sold-out tour behind Fountain Baby, which was Metacritic’s #1 album of 2023, and was praised as one of the best albums of the year by Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, and The New Yorker. Fountain Baby LP launched Amaarae into global afro-pop stardom, featuring the effortlessly sensual singles “Angels in Tibet” and “Reckless and Sweet”, landing her on multiple covers including; NME, Paste, and Clash, as well as touring with Sabrina Carpenter, supporting on Childish Gambino’s tour, and an H&M x Mugler campaign.
Amaarae has forever championed self-expression since her debut single “Fluid,” in 2017 which depicted living in between different labels and modes. Her astronomical rise arrived with the release of her 2020 debut album ‘THE ANGEL YOU DON’T KNOW’, catapulted by her now-platinum, globally charting single “Sad Girlz Luv Money (Remix)” featuring Kali Uchis and Moliy. She stepped into the marvel cinematic universe with her contribution to the 2022 Wakanda Forever Prologue EP. with “A Body, A Coffin,” and has gone on to exhibit her versatility through collaborations with the likes of Childish Gambino, Stormzy, Janelle Monáe, 6LACK, Kaytranada, Babyface, and Tiwa Savage, among others.
Be sure to take a deep dive into Amaarae’s discography, Pre-save/order her album ‘BLACK STAR’ and stream/watch her latest single “S.M.O.”.
PRE-SAVE/PRE-ORDER BLACK STAR
https://amaarae.lnk.to/BlackStar
LISTEN TO “S.M.O.”
https://Amaarae.lnk.to/SMO
WATCH THE OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO FOR “S.M.O.”
https://Amaarae.lnk.to/SMO/YouTubeMusic
INTERNATIONAL TOUR DATES
28 June – Glastonbury, Somerset, UK
10 July – Afro Nation, Portimao, Portugal
31 July – Thalia Hall, Chicago, IL
1 Aug – Lollapalooza, Chicago,IL
3 Aug – Osheaga Festival, Montreal QC
7 Aug – Way out West, Gothenburg
9 Aug – Maiden Voyage Festival, London, UK
10 Aug – Flow Festival, Helsinki, Finland
15 Aug – Lowlands Festival, Biddinghuizen, NL
16 Aug – Pukkelpop, Hasselt, Belgium
13-14 Sept – Best Day Ever, Troutdale, OR
