Ghanaian singer-songwriter Jay Cliff is celebrating the music and community behind his artistic journey with Best of Jay Cliff (Hours), a curated collection of songs that brings together some of the records that have shaped his connection with listeners.
More than a retrospective, the project represents a return to the foundation of Jay Cliff’s artistry and the audience that has grown alongside him. The Hours journey has been built around honest conversations through music, touching on love, personal struggles, mental health, vulnerability and the everyday experiences that shape people’s lives. This collection revisits some of those defining moments, including ‘Problematic’, one of his most influential releases, and ‘No Time’ featuring Efya, a 2019 favourite that continues to hold a special place among his listeners.
For longtime fans, Best of Jay Cliff (Hours) offers a chance to reconnect with songs that have accompanied different stages of their lives. Those discovering him for the first time can use the collection as an introduction to his songwriting, sound and perspective.
Hailing from Accra, Jay Cliff has developed a musical identity that moves between R&B, contemporary R&B, Alté and Afrobeats. His approach is built around personal storytelling, with songs that explore relationships, identity, growth and the emotional challenges of navigating life.
He began attracting attention in 2019 with Alte Cruise to a Happy Place and his collaboration with Efya. The following year, he expanded his catalogue with Twelve2Five and ‘Crossfaded’, featuring $pacely and Whoisakin. His early work also brought recognition from The NATIVE, which included him in its Fresh Meat round-up of emerging talent.
In 2021, Jay Cliff released the six-track EP Red Wine Conversations, featuring contributions from Efya, TÖME, Ayüü, $pacely and Kaygee ADN. The project has since gathered more than 190,000 Spotify streams, while ‘Chargie’ featuring TÖME has surpassed 100,000 plays on Apple Music.
His audience has also extended beyond Ghana, with listeners in the United States, Nigeria, the United Kingdom and Canada. Across his catalogue, Jay Cliff has accumulated more than 375,000 lifetime plays on Apple Music, reflecting the growing international reach of his music.
Away from the records themselves, he has also spoken about the personal experiences behind his creative work. His appearance on the We Move Podcast offered an opportunity to discuss his artistic journey, personal development and mental health, subjects that remain closely connected to the openness found in his songwriting.
With Best of Jay Cliff (Hours), the singer is looking back while also renewing his connection with the people who have supported his progress. The collection brings together important pieces of his catalogue, offering both familiar favourites and an accessible starting point for new listeners.
The Hours journey is still unfolding, and Jay Cliff is using this release to remind listeners of the music, experiences and community that brought him here.
