amrai princess of afro pop

three years ago i stopped reviewing the angel you don’t knowdebut album by AmarayeWith these words: «The right ingredients are all there, with a little luck, international success could even come».

I’d say we’re here, new fountain baby has been receiving excellent acclaim from both critics and audiences and Amaraye is undoubtedly one of the hot names of 2023. Between Accra and Atlanta, this second album brings glimpses of dancehall, dream pop, flamenco, Japanese folk(?), exciting trap, sensuality. Highlife and pressing afrobeats, all underpinned by Amaraye’s caressing voice and well-placed productions that occasionally nod to Timbaland, Missy Elliott or The Neptunes. I ask for nothing more: the disco of summer!

– Read also: Amaarae from the United States to Ghana (and back)

The last twenty-four months already showed signs of Amarae’s imminent and inevitable explosion and I am referring to collaborations with some of the giants of the international pop scene: it started with a remix of a song from their debut album, “Sad”. Girl’s Love Money”, which featured black uchis,

This continued with his involvement in his company Bujuto sing blackbonez “Bling”, a huge success in West Africa.

then it was time to cooperate Tiwa Savage for “Tales by Moonlight”.

And lastly she appears in “This Is What I Mean”, a song by British rapper Stormzy

in which they are also Jacob Collier, black sheriff, Ms. Banks And Story,

Meanwhile, his voice has become a trademark, recognizable from the first note: silky, smooth, but prickly as a pin when he tries his hand at rap.

Contrary to the advice of his Ghanaian friends, who urged him to stick to the Afrobeats or Highlife bandwagon in order to succeed in that country, he became convinced that his life in the African diaspora had given him an artistic edge. This free look, almost nonchalant, that’s what makes the African alternative scene sizzling. What’s more, Amarae refuses to limit herself to a single musical genre, resulting in an exciting medley.

Three months earlier “Reckless & Sweet” paved the way for the album as the lead single, in which Amaraï talks about paid love, a social climber chasing a lover and revealing his scams.

And here two months later “Co-Star” made its appearance, the second single it had the task of announcing and launching. fountain baby: “It’s a funny song about zodiac signs,” Amaraye said during a brief interview. okafrica, « I wanted to give people something cute and cheeky for summer. Astrology plays such a big role in our youth culture, it seems like a lost opportunity not to address it and not to anthem girls. Even though the video is fun, I managed to put together some of my favorite women by asking them to represent themselves in an iconic way ».

“twin” Clermont, Biba Williams, dato black, moyo, and then there are bijou and chi, which is to say that alternative is an important part of African culture. they were there trend of our time. It was really cool to be able to put them all together.”

Here we are, it’s almost done and in fact after three weeks, just a day before its availability, Amarae announced on her profile Social exit of fountain baby In a way, let’s say, unusual but certainly effective.

There’s no doubt that the summer hit of “Sad Girl’s Love Money” two years ago opened the right doors for the singer, giving her opportunities in the fashion industry and allowing her to showcase more of her taste in clothing. sales.

Truth be told, I cliches Much of African pop is now worn out and so Amaraye secretly tries to leave them behind, and the singer’s escapism is evident in the careful choice of producers for this record, which she relies on above all else. kyu horse, KZ Didit And Mallow Crackers,

14 songs, the first of which, “All My Love”, is actually a 48-second instrumental with overbearing vocal effects, which flows into the following “Angels in Tibet”, whose text talks about hot hungry sex ( “I want to fuck that delightful pond, caressing that little kitten.” Now you understand what Spring of title).

There’s a Snippet of “Princess Going Digital” vintage pop Which brings to mind the old productions of Janet Jackson or Britney Spears and which showcases, as rarely happens, Amara’s sensitive side: «Baby, keep me with you, I have good feelings for you now , The way you love me hurts”.

Pistol shot imitations and orchestral sounds lead into “Wasted Eyes”, undoubtedly one of the peaks of the collection, a mid-speed bop Joe analyzes a toxic love: “You love me without respect, I don’t want to leave but I didn’t know you were a source of trouble”.

Among the songs that stand out, I point to “Aquamari Loves Ecstasy”, which has a laugh reminiscent of the aforementioned Janet Jackson and a spoken part, “Sex, Violence, Suicide”, lyrics double

Relaxed first part and an aggressive punk second part, reminiscent of movement alte of which Amarae was a part, and “Big Stepa”, with its slight dancehall flavor that settles into the listener’s brain and is difficult to push away.

«Don’t Classify My Music As Afrobeats» E fountain baby It really seems to be Amare’s successful attempt to break down the barriers of definitions.

When asked to describe her voice, Amaraee talks about afro-fusion, which means “an amalgam of all my inspirations and influences from living in different places and meeting different people”. It’s His Versatility That Has Attracted Attention amine And Kaytranada in version kaytra aminwho asked him to collaborate on the piece rap dance “Saussup”. And a few days ago there was news of a new song coming in which she will be seen working with Janelle Monae: Soon, a defibrillator!

« I want to be the quintessential African princess of pop » – Amaraye