Ghanaian singer and sonic trailblazer Amaarae has unveiled her third studio album, BLACK STAR, a genre-bending body of work that boldly redefines her artistic identity and continues her reputation for boundary-pushing pop experimentation.
The new project marks a significant departure from her critically acclaimed 2023 release, Fountain Baby, which leaned into introspection and emotional vulnerability. In contrast, BLACK STAR exudes a carefree spirit, as Amaarae embraces fun, fearlessness, and flamboyance over the course of the album’s 13 genre-hopping tracks.
Describing the album herself as a “genesis of me feeling sure and confident,” Amaarae’s newfound sense of self-assurance is the heartbeat of the project. The confidence is evident in her vocal delivery, the eclectic soundscapes, and even the bold choice of collaborators.
From the jump, BLACK STAR asserts itself as a global pop statement, weaving threads of Afrobeats, hyperpop, baile funk, highlife, and electronic music into one coherent tapestry.
A large part of this sonic evolution comes from Amaarae’s collaboration with longtime producer Kyu Steed, with whom she travelled to Brazil to work alongside baile funk producers. The result is a vibrant fusion of West African rhythms with South American pulse and Western pop sensibility.
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Unlike the more serious tone of her previous effort, this new album allows Amaarae to embrace her playful side—an energy that radiates through the project’s brisk 44-minute runtime. BLACK STAR feels like an artist letting go, leaning into joy, and redefining what it means to be a Ghanaian global pop star in the modern era.
The feature list is equally audacious, boasting a star-studded mix of musical heavyweights and unexpected names. UK pop innovator PinkPantheress, British rapper Bree Runway, and legendary American R&B vocalist Charlie Wilson all lend their talents.
However, perhaps the biggest surprise is the appearance of supermodel Naomi Campbell, blurring the lines between fashion and music in a move that perfectly matches the album’s rule-breaking ethos.
One standout from the project is the lead single “S.M.O.,” a track that exemplifies the album’s balance between heritage and innovation. Drawing from Ghanaian highlife while incorporating slick modern production, the single offers a window into the project’s ethos: honouring one’s roots without being bound by them.
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On BLACK STAR, Amaarae delivers her most confident and experimental work to date. Her soft yet commanding vocals glide across imaginative and unpredictable instrumentals, while her collaborators bring fresh energy without overshadowing her unique voice.
For longtime followers and new listeners alike, the album rewards patience and repeated listens, revealing new layers with every spin. At its core, BLACK STAR is more than just a collection of songs—it’s a manifesto for creative freedom and a declaration that Amaarae is done playing by the rules.
In an era where African artists are increasingly shaping the future of global pop, Amaarae’s BLACK STAR serves as a bold reminder of what’s possible when tradition and innovation meet without limits.
Listen to BLACK STAR HERE.