Ghanaian‑American artist Amaarae shares “S.M.O.,” a four‑minute highlife‑inspired single produced by BNYX® from her August‑released Black Star album. Video shot in Ghana by Omar Jones.
Amaarae releases “S.M.O.,” a four‑minute single produced by BNYX® and issued through Golden Angel under exclusive license to Interscope Records. The track merges Ghanaian ’80s highlife influences with a Detroit club bassline and a drum roll that nods to both Magic System and classic pop, all beneath an infectious zouk melody. Amaarae’s bold vocal delivers the chorus “SLUT ME OUT” with clarity and purpose, inviting listeners into both dancefloor energy and candid expression.
amaarae s.m.o. (video)
Born Ama Serwah Genfi in New York and raised between the United States and Ghana, she first gained attention with her breakthrough EP, A World for the Damned, before earning global acclaim for the single “Fountain Baby,” which charted on Billboard’s Afrobeats Songs chart. She followed with acclaimed collaborations alongside Pharrell Williams and Masego, demonstrating her talent for blending genres and languages. On “S.M.O.,” she credits highlife pioneer Ata Kak and pop innovators Donna Summer and Janet Jackson as creative touchstones, framing her sound within a continuum of African and international pop.
amaarae black star
The official video, directed by Omar Jones and shot on location in Accra, frames Amaarae against vibrant street scenes and performance spaces that emphasize her cultural roots. Jones’s direction highlights the song’s fusion of tradition and modernity as Amaarae leads dancers through kinetic choreography and expressive close‑ups.
“SMO” previews Black Star, her seventeen‑track album due in early August, which promises further collaborations and stylistic range. Available now across all major streaming services, “S.M.O.” reaffirms Amaarae’s expertise in crafting forward‑looking music that honors heritage while pushing pop boundaries.
Amaarae – S.M.O.
Produced by BNYX®
20 June 2025
1 Songs, 4 minutes
℗ 2025 Golden Angel LLC, under exclusive license to Interscope Records.
Watch The Music Video
