Amaarae earns a spot on Billboard’s list of Hip-Hop, R&B artists to watch in 2022

Billboard has named Ghanaian musician Amaarae as one of the new Hip-Hop and RnB artistes to watch out for in 2022.

This follows a blow-up of many emerging acts and the dominance of Afrobeats in 2021.

The young musician was named alongside Arya Starr and Tems – two of Nigeria’s talented emerging acts – and other acts who were prominent in the past year.

On Amaarae, Billboard explained that her 2020 album which set her career rolling on the international stage captures her confident demeanour and sets the stage for a fruitful 2022.

“Ghanaian singer Amaarae’s voice is unmistakable. The Interscope signee’s baby-soft whisper and genre-bending rhythms are in a lane completely of their own, and thanks to TikTok, millions were introduced to her flourishing catalogue of music.”

“In 2021, “Sad Girlz Luv Money (Remix)” featuring Kali Uchis and Moliy, went viral on the video creation app, leading to hundreds of millions of listens across platforms. Her 2020 album ‘The Angel You Don’t Know’ perfectly captures the burgeoning singer’s carefree, confident demeanour, and sets the stage for a fruitful 2022,” Billboard noted.

It is not a surprise Amaarae has reached the coveted list that seeks to put deserving acts. Since the release of her album ‘The Angel You Don’t Know’, her name and songs have become one many look out for.

She chalked many successes in 2020 and 2021 especially following the release of the Sad Girl Luv Money (also on the album) remix with Kali Uchis and Moliy.

In 2021 Amaarae’s the ‘Angel You Don’t Know’ peaked #6 on Billboard World Albums. The hit song Sad Girlz Luv Money ft. Moliy and Kali Uchis debuted No.80 on Billboard Hot 100.

She was also No.5 on Billboard Heatseekers Albums. On the Billboard World Digital Song Sales, ‘Sad Girlz Luv Money Remix debut at No.6. 

The song also rose to No.33 on Global 200 after debuting at No.136 just in a week. She the only Ghanaians act who is closing in on the feats of Osibisa on the Billboard charts.

Also in 2021, ‘Sad Girlz Lv Money’ remix became No.1 on Spotify’s Viral songs and No. 18 on Spotify’s Top 200 chart above Lil Nas X’s ‘That’s What I Want’, Juice WRLD’s ‘Already Dead’, Doja Cat’s ‘Need To Know’ in November.

That’s not all, in the same month it was the most Shazamed song in the world and it has become a staple for TikTok users, a development which continues to spread Amaarae’s far-reaching sound.

The song has become No.1 on Apple Music’s Viral hits and No.27 on Apple Music’s Top 100 Global Chart.

She currently has the most monthly (10 million) listeners on Spotify than any other Ghanaian on the streaming service. The closest is Kidi with some 1.2 million listeners per month.

In 2021, she was the only female artiste to get on the Billboard Chart via her own project.

Again, she has performed at the Governors Ball Music Festival in New York alongside Billie Eilish, A$AP Rocky, J Balvin, and Post Malone. She also headlined the Pitchfork Music Festival, Mr Eazi’s & Friends in Miami, and a host of others.

source: myjoyonline.com