Accra-born Afro-fusion star MOLIY has been named Billboard’s African Rookie of the Month for June 2025, a prestigious recognition that highlights her rising impact on the global music scene. Known for her genre-blending sound and vibrant energy, MOLIY joins a growing list of African artists making waves far beyond the continent.
The announcement comes on the heels of the massive success of her single “Shake It to the Max (FLY)”, an Afro-dancehall banger that has become a viral sensation and a club favorite worldwide. The song, boosted by a remix featuring Jamaican stars Shenseea and Skillibeng, has dominated charts for weeks spending six weeks at No. 1 on the U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart and breaking into the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 55, with over 47 million U.S. streams and nearly 290 million global streams to date.
Reflecting on her journey in an interview with Billboard, MOLIY spoke candidly about her early days quitting her job at Victoria’s Secret in Florida, dropping out of college, and moving back home to Accra to chase her musical dreams. “There’s a certain fantasy of how people assume leaving Ghana and going to live outside is,” she said. “But when you’re trying to hustle and figure it out by yourself, and you’re young, it’s difficult.”
That bold decision paid off. MOLIY quickly immersed herself in Ghana’s creative scene and began crafting her sound—one that effortlessly fuses Afrobeat, hip-hop, dancehall, and R&B, with lyrics in English and unmistakable West African flair. Her debut EP, Wondergirl, and her standout feature on Amaarae’s global hit “Sad Girlz Luv Money” first brought her international attention in 2021, but “Shake It to the Max” has cemented her status as a force to be reckoned with.
More than just a hitmaker, MOLIY represents a new wave of African artists who are unapologetically global in their appeal, yet deeply rooted in their heritage. Whether she’s performing alongside dancehall royalty Vybz Kartel or teasing new collaborations with artists like Stefflon Don, MOLIY continues to push creative boundaries.
As she tours globally and works toward her next project, fans can expect more infectious energy, bold visuals, and powerful representation of what it means to be young, African, and wildly talented. With her Billboard honor in hand and the world dancing to her tune, MOLIY is just getting started.
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