EIIGHANA! AFRICA.

Indio, California — April 13, 2025Ghanaian-American alté-pop sensation Amaarae (born Ama Serwah Genfi) became the first Ghanaian artist ever to headline a full solo set at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, taking the stage in the iconic Gobi Tent during the festival’s opening weekend .
🌍 A Cultural Takeover
Her electrifying performance wove together original tracks from her celebrated 2023 album Fountain Baby—including “Co‑Star” and “Fountain Baby”—as well as covers of Ghanaian classics by Eazzy, Joey B, La Même Gang, and Asakaa Boys . With a vibrant display of Ghanaian flags onstage, she rallied the crowd:
> “A lotta the music you just heard is from my home country, Ghana. I love my country so much.”  


✂️ Haircut as Liberation
In a bold, symbolic moment, Amaarae stopped mid-set to shave off her long hair onstage—declaring “I’m finally free, Coachella!”—representing rebirth and personal liberation. The audience watched as trails of her hair fell, marking her transformation and stage presence .
🎶 New Music Unveiled
She gave festival-goers a sneak peek of an unreleased track titled “Fine Shyt”, teasing the beginning of a thrilling new chapter for her artistry .
💿 Black Star Era Begins
Amaarae used the Gobi Tent platform to announce that her much-anticipated album, Black Star, would drop this summer. The new project promises a futuristic, dance-forward sound, anchored by the enticing lead single “Slut Me Out” which is set to release in the coming weeks .
👩‍👧‍👦 A Proud Reflection
In an exclusive with People, she reflected on the milestone:
> “I was honored to hold not just the flag of my country, but the last name of my family and achieve something so big,” she said, highlighting her pride in being managed by her mother and buoyed by her family’s support .


🔥 Critical Acclaim & Festival Momentum
Her performance was praised for its energy and vision—SFGate applauded her “powerful and dynamic set” and noted her commanding stage presence in all-black leather, complete with rap-sung verses and fierce swagger . With upcoming appearances expected at Glastonbury and Lollapalooza, Amaarae is clearly ascending to major-headliner status .

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📌 Why It Matters for Africa
Trailblazer: Marks a major milestone as the first Ghanaian to perform a solo headliner set at Coachella.
Cultural Ambassador: She brought Ghanaian music to an international audience, showcasing the depth and richness of the country’s musical heritage.
Artistic Evolution: The bleeding-edge haircut moment and debut of new material underscore her emergence into a braver “Black Star” era.


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👀 What Comes Next
🎧 “Slut Me Out” is dropping soon as the teaser single from Black Star.
Expect global live shows, including Glastonbury and Lollapalooza.
Continued spotlight on Ghanaian culture and rising alté music worldwide.