Apple Music has announced the latest featured artist in its Africa Rising artist development program is Ghanaian-born singer-songwriter Moliy (real name Molly Ama Montgomery).
“What an honour it is to be the next Africa Rising artist. This moment right now is everything I’ve been praying for, from Ghana to Africa, from Africa to the whole world! I’m hoping this shows young girls everywhere that their dreams are valid, to be brave and not cower amongst any naysayers. Thank you for seeing and hearing me,” she tells Apple Music.
Deeply influenced by her rich Ghanaian ancestry, it was Moliy’s travels between Accra, Ghana and Orlando, Florida during her formative years, where she was inspired by the rich, eclectic genres of Afrobeats, reggae, soul, jazz, and hip hop, and was moved to pursue a career in music.
Her debut EP Wondergirl (2020), featuring the dance floor-rooted single “Ghana Bop”, announced her arrival on the Afro-fusion scene and she quickly followed that up with a standout feature on Amaarae’s smash hit single and remix “SAD GIRLZ LUV MONEY” feat. Kali Uchis”.
Her debut album Honey Doom (2022), available to stream on Apple Music in Spatial Audio now, is characterised by her ethereal, psychedelic vocals and showcases her personal and professional growth as a young woman navigating life’s ups and downs, spearheaded by the Afrobeats-infused power anthem, “Hard feat. Moonchild Sanelly”.
The latest music from Moliy along with that of Africa’s hottest new artists, is available now on the Apple Music Africa Rising Playlist.
Apple Music’s Africa Rising, is an exclusive artist development programme and companion playlist geared towards identifying, showcasing and elevating rising talent and introducing the next generation of African superstars. Africa Rising alumni to date include: Omah Lay, Manu Worldstar, Tems, Amaarae, Ayra Starr, Yaw Tog, Blxckie, Nikita Kering, Buju, FAVE, Nomfundo Moh, Victony, Gyakie and Venom & Shihiliza. Africa Rising sees Apple Music select six artists every year who each receive a minimum of two months of editorial support across the Apple Music platform including a launch interview with Nadeska on Apple Music 1. Nadeska has also launched a new weekly Africa Rising feature on her show highlighting the hottest new artists on the continent.
Africa Rising is the latest of many Apple Music initiatives aimed at taking African talent to the world. Now available in 33 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, Apple Music 1 is home to Africa Now Radio with host Dadaboy Ehiz which has featured interviews with some of the continent’s hottest artists such as Falz, Ruger, Mlindo The Vocalist, Simi, Gyakie, Prince Kaybee, Omah Lay, Naira Marley, Fireboy DML, M.I. Abaga, King Promise and BNXN aka Buju.
Apple Music also selected Nigerian Afrobeats singer-songwriter Tems as its Up Next artist in 2021, Nigerian Afropop star Rema in 2020, Grammy Award-winning Afrofusion superstar Burna Boy in 2019, and Nigerian singer and entrepreneur Mr Eazi as the first recipient in 2017. Up Next is Apple Music’s global emerging artist program.
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