Amaarae Announces Bold New Era With New Album BLACK STAR And Single 'S.M.O'

Amaarae is back and she’s ready to redefine the soundscape once again. The Ghanaian-American artist, celebrated for her genre-bending fusion of alternative, pop, R&B, and Afrobeats, has officially announced her highly anticipated new album: BLACK STAR on August 8th.

Marking her return, Amaarae has releases “S.M.O”, the first taste of what promises to be a daring and futuristic body of work. Seamlessly blending highlife, kpanlogo, and zouk, the single pulses with sensual rhythms and lush instrumentation, offering listeners an intoxicating journey into themes of sexual liberation and empowerment. As ever, Amaarae’s featherlight vocals glide over vibrant percussion, creating a sound that feels both rooted in tradition and boldly forward-thinking.

BLACK STAR follows her critically acclaimed 2023 sophomore LP, Fountain Baby, a record that cemented her as one of the most innovative voices in contemporary music. But this next chapter feels even more ambitious. With “S.M.O”, Amaarae is setting the tone for an album that not only pushes sonic boundaries but also celebrates African identity, freedom, and femininity on her own terms.

The announcement comes hot on the heels of Amaarae’s history-making Coachella debut earlier this year, where she became the first Ghanaian artist to grace the Indio stage. Her vibrant set turned heads for all the right reasons, from high-energy performances of fellow Ghanaian hits to the tantalising previews of new music from BLACK STAR, Amaarae left fans eager for more.

If “S.M.O” is any indication, BLACK STAR is shaping up to be a fearless statement of artistry that reaffirms Amaarae’s place as a global iconoclast. The wait is almost over and it’s clear she’s about to take us somewhere entirely new.