Amaarae Biography

Amaarae, born Ama Serwah Genfi on July 4, 1994, is a Ghanaian-American singer-songwriter known for her fusion of pop, R&B, afrobeats, and alté. She has gained recognition for her fluid representation of gender and sexuality. After collaborating with local artists and releasing non-album singles, Amaarae released her debut EP, Passionfruit Summers, in 2017.

In 2020, she released her debut album The Angel You Don't Know to critical acclaim. The song "Sad Girlz Luv Money" featuring Moliy gained popularity on TikTok and was later remixed with a feature from Kali Uchis. Pitchfork labeled the album "Best New Music" and named it the 19th best album of 2020.

Amaarae's early life was marked by her birth in the Bronx, New York, and her upbringing between Atlanta, United States, and Accra, Ghana. She began writing songs at the age of 13 and was inspired by Kelis' unique expression. She honed her songwriting skills while studying English literature and voice training.

As she pursued her music career, Amaarae released her debut project Passionfruit Summers in 2017, featuring the song "Fluid". She was named one of Apple Music Africa's Favourite New Artists in April 2018 and became an Apple Music Beats 1 featured artist for her debut project.

Amaarae has also gained recognition for her style and fashion sense. She has been featured in Vogue online and was named one of Vogue online's Top 100 Style Influencers of 2018. She has also been nominated for Artist of the Year at the Glitz Style Awards in Ghana.

Amaarae has collaborated with various artists, including Stonebwoy, Kojey Radical, M3NSA, Santi, Blaqbonez, Buju, Odunsi, B4bonah, and Wande Coal. Her music is characterized by a unique blend of rapping and singing, with lyrics that explore themes of sex positivity, eroticism, and identity.

In 2020, Amaarae released her debut studio album The Angel You Don't Know to critical acclaim. The album received praise from Pitchfork and was described as "crackling with innovation". In May 2022, she met Kendrick Lamar during his visit to Ghana and held a private album listening party for his new album.

On June 9, 2023, Amaarae released her sophomore album Fountain Baby via Interscope Records. The release also marked her debut on NPR Tiny Desk. With her unique sound and style, Amaarae has established herself as a prominent figure in the music industry.