MOLIY, Spotify EQUAL, and how African women now move through global pop
MOLIY’s January EQUAL recognition reflects a shift already underway, where African women move through global music without permission or spectacle.
Ghanaian sensation MOLIY takes the limelight as the Spotify EQUAL Africa Artist of the Month for January 2026. Also gracing the cover of the EQUAL Global playlist, she stands as a powerful symbol of the women representing Africa’s creative expansion and global musical dominance.
MOLIY is known for her hypnotic blend of Afro-pop, Afro-fusion, and dancehall, her sound playful yet intentional, soft yet powerful. Her music lives where emotion meets movement, earning her a rapidly growing global audience.
Born and raised in Ghana, her journey into music evolved from curiosity into calling. Raised on the sounds of Ghanaian legends like Daddy Lumba, Rex Omar, R2Bees, and 4×4, alongside fearless female voices such as Ebony, Eazzy, Itz Tiffany, and Sister Deborah, MOLIY was shaped by artists who championed confidence, freedom, and individuality.
In December 2024, MOLIY released her breakout single, “Shake It to the Max (FLY),” a defining moment in her career. The track went viral, becoming an international anthem and securing her place as part of a new generation of African women with unapologetic global ambition, a rise reflected in Spotify Wrapped 2025, where she topped the list of the most exported Ghanaian artists.
Spotify’s EQUAL Africa initiative remains focused on elevating women’s voices, and MOLIY’s recognition emphasizes the role African women continue to play in shaping global sound and culture.
“MOLIY sits comfortably at the intersection of African pop and global culture,” said Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa. “Her music reflects a generation that’s fluid, expressive, and unbound by borders, making her a powerful voice within EQUAL Africa.”
During her interview with Spotify, MOLIY talked about her personality, describing herself as a quite introverted person who loves performing and creating, and who often values quiet moments at home and spending time with family, a character most of her fans are unaware of.
She also spoke about her journey in music, which began in 2018, at a time when African music was becoming a global movement, and that was when she realized there was space for her and something that needed to be added by her.
She also advised individuals who are tense about following their dreams to do whatever is in their power now and do it consistently.
On the question of how she navigates the industry as a woman, MOLIY stated that she stays grounded in who she is and lets her perspective remain fluid amid the pressure of fitting in. To her, her artistry is shaped by confidence, vulnerability, and the freedom to exist in multiple moods at once.
In her final remarks on what being part of EQUAL means to her, she reiterated that the industry has taught her to trust her voice even when the room is loud, and that there is real power in women supporting women. To MOLIY, EQUAL represents visibility, support, and opportunity, and she is grateful to be part of it.
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