Ghanaian-American singer-songwriter MOLIY is continuing her remarkable rise on the global music stage, recently opening up about her journey, creative process, and record-breaking success in an exclusive interview with Billboard Africa.
Since her debut in 2020, MOLIY has emerged as one of Africa’s most distinctive voices, blending Afropop, R&B, and dancehall influences into a sound that transcends borders. She first gained international attention with her appearance on Amaarae’s song “SAD GIRLZ LUV MONEY”. The remix featuring Kali Uchis went on to reach No. 80 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 28 on Rhythmic Airplay, helping introduce MOLIY’s voice to a global audience.
Her momentum skyrocketed with the release of her viral hit “Shake It To The Max (FLY)”, which became one of the defining songs of 2025. The remix featuring Skillibeng and Shenseea surpassed one billion streams worldwide and dominated charts across multiple platforms. The track held the No. 1 spot on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs Chart for 22 consecutive weeks and was later crowned the chart’s Year-End No. 1 song for 2025. It also ranked among Spotify’s Top 5 Songs of the Summer and TikTok’s Top 10 Global Songs of Summer.
The success propelled MOLIY into historic territory, making her the first Ghanaian artist to perform at the BET Awards. Her smash hit also earned nominations for Best Afrobeats and Song of the Summer at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2025.
Reflecting on the whirlwind year, MOLIY highlighted filming the remix video in Jamaica as one of her most memorable experiences. She described the overwhelming support she received from Jamaican audiences as a defining moment in her career, saying it felt like being embraced by another culture in a way she had never imagined.
Another standout moment came when she performed at London’s Capital Jingle Bell Ball at the O2 Arena in December 2025. For the singer, stepping onto that stage alongside global acts was a powerful reminder of how far she had come.
Despite her success, MOLIY admitted that her journey hasn’t always been easy. Early in her career, she felt pressure to conform to a particular sound, especially as Afrobeats dominated the African music landscape. However, she chose to stay true to her instincts and embrace a style shaped by her multicultural influences.
Raised in Accra, MOLIY grew up listening to global icons like Celine Dion, Michael Jackson, and Whitney Houston, alongside modern pop and R&B stars such as Rihanna, Beyoncé, Missy Elliott, and Keri Hilson. She also drew inspiration from Ghanaian trailblazers, including Itz Tiffany, Sister Deborah, and MzBel.
Today, MOLIY describes her sound as heavily Caribbean-influenced, leaning toward high-energy Afro-dancehall designed for festivals, parties, and global dance floors. She credits the cultural connections between Ghana and Jamaica as a key influence, noting how natural the relationship between the two music scenes feels.
The singer also spoke about the role of social media in her breakthrough. Before “Shake It To The Max (FLY)” went viral, she committed to posting consistently online — sometimes up to five times a day for months — in an effort to build her own community without relying on traditional industry support. That strategy eventually paid off, helping the song gain traction and spark a global dance trend.
Following the success of the track, MOLIY continued expanding her reach through collaborations. One notable release was “Body Go,” a collaboration with South African star Tyla, which blended amapiano influences with her signature style.
Looking ahead, MOLIY says she hopes to see more unity among female artists across the African music industry. She believes collaboration and mutual support could open doors for the next generation, suggesting that a joint tour or creative project between leading African women artists would be a powerful step forward.
Her advice to emerging musicians is simple: stay authentic and focus on what makes you unique. “Being unapologetically you is the most important thing,” she said. “Use what you have, find the joy in it, and go where the love is.”
With a growing list of international achievements and a sound that continues to evolve, MOLIY is proving that African artists can shape global pop culture on their own terms.
