Following the release of her latest studio album titled Black Star, Ghanaian Afropop singer Amaarae has faced criticism from some netizens over certain observations.
Critics have questioned her decision not to feature any Ghanaian artiste on the project, despite performing songs by other Ghanaians at Coachella 2025 and actively promoting Ghana on global stages.
Amaarae, who is based in the United States, has been vocal about her love for Ghana.
Amaarae shines at 2025 Coachella
Earlier this year, she represented Ghana at the 2025 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California.
Her performance on April 13 at the Empire Polo Club was not just about her music, she also used the moment to shine a spotlight on other Ghanaian artistes.
On stage, she performed songs from Eazzy, Joey B, La Même Gang, and the Asakaa Boys, among others.
At one point, she made the audience to wave the Ghana flag, and made sure the flag was displayed on stage.
Due to these circumstances, fans somewhat expected her new album to feature at least one artiste based in Ghana.
‘I had to give a moment to my country’ – Amaarae on performing other Ghanaian songs at Coachella
But when “Black Star” dropped, the featured artistes were not from Ghana like netizens expected.
The album included UK alt-pop artiste Pink Pantheress, American R&B legend Charlie Wilson, supermodel Naomi Campbell, the mysterious act Starkillers, and UK-based rapper Bree Runway.
Many critics have since argued that Amaarae had failed to support local, home-based talent artiste.
However, Amaarae has responded to these claims.
In a video posted on her TikTok on August 13,2025, she was with Bree Runway a Ghanaian UK resident, to address the situation.
The two, speaking in Twi and English, laughed off the idea that Bree was not Ghanaian.
“You people were saying I did not feature any Ghanaian. You guys said I’m claiming Black Star, but I did not feature any Ghanaian. If I’m not Ghanaian, who am I? I’m Ghanaian, and mine is an American style. Hers is the UK style,” they said.
@realamaarae No 🇬🇭 features??? Hmm @Bree Runway #blackstar #amaarae #ghanatiktok🇬🇭 #fypシ゚ ♬ Starkilla – Amaarae & Bree Runway & Starkillers
Meanwhile, watch the trailer for GhanaWeb’s upcoming documentary on teenage girls and how fish is stealing their futures below:
AK/EB