Moliy Opens Up Fame, Growth and Global Ambitions in New NME Cover Story

Ghanaian singer and songwriter Moliy is stepping fully into her superstar era. In a newly released feature with NME, the fast-rising Afropop star reflects on her journey from a shy teenager in Accra to one of the most exciting voices shaping African music on the global stage.

Fresh off the explosive success of her 2024 hit “Shake It To The Max,” Moliy shared how the viral breakout completely transformed her life and confidence as an artist. The dancehall-infused Afropop anthem earned her first Billboard Hot 100 entry as a lead artist and sparked global dance trends, including her viral “shy girl whine.”

Despite the massive success, Moliy revealed that the journey behind the scenes was far from glamorous.

“It totally changed everything about my life,” she told NME. “It wasn’t just words anymore… It’s real. I do have what it takes to keep doing it.”

Born Moliy Ama Montgomery in Accra, Ghana, the artist spoke candidly about growing up in a deeply musical household where gospel music, Michael Jackson, and Celine Dion filled her childhood. Inspired by her mother’s unrealized music dreams, Moliy eventually found her own voice through songwriting and experimentation.

The singer also reflected on the influence of West Africa’s àlté movement, crediting artists like Amaarae, Tems, Cruel Santino, Odunsi, and Lady Donli for helping her embrace individuality and creative freedom.

Moliy recalled how her breakout 2021 collaboration “Sad Girlz Luv Money” with Amaarae was born during a difficult personal period marked by financial struggles and uncertainty. While the song became a global anthem powered by TikTok, she admitted the sudden online attention also came with criticism and pressure.

“It was tough,” she said. “It was my first situation where negativity online comes into play.”

Following that breakthrough, Moliy took a step back from music for nearly two years, using the time to rebuild her confidence and rediscover her identity. According to the artist, content creation and social media eventually became tools that helped her reclaim her power and become more comfortable being seen.

Now, Moliy is preparing for her next chapter with her upcoming EP Baddies Love Moliy, which she describes as futuristic, bass-heavy, and rooted in Afro and dancehall influences. The project is expected to include collaborations such as “Body Go” with Tyla and promises what Moliy calls “adventurous party chaos.”

More than just music, the Ghanaian star says her mission is to inspire confidence and self-belief through her art.

“I want you to just be subconsciously feeding your mind positivity,” she explained. “Showing love to yourself, seeing the amazingness about yourself.”

With global recognition growing rapidly and a new project on the horizon, Moliy made her ambitions crystal clear in the interview’s closing moments: “Superstar. Period.”

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