Ghanaian music continues to command global attention as Stonebwoy, Moliy, Amaarae, and Gyakie earn prominent placements on RollingStone’s 45 Best Afropop Songs of 2025—a definitive list celebrating the most impactful Afropop records of the year.
Leading the charge is Moliy, who secures the #1 spot with the remix of “Shake It to the Max (FLY)”, featuring Jamaican heavyweights Shenseea and Skillibeng. The record’s infectious energy and cross-continental appeal have made it one of Afropop’s most dominant songs in 2025, cementing Moliy’s growing international profile.
Moliy also appears earlier on the list at #42 with “Body Go,” her collaboration with South African pop star Tyla, further underscoring her versatility and strong presence across the Afropop landscape.
Dancehall and Afrofusion icon Stonebwoy earns a solid entry at #35 with “Gidi Gidi [Fire],” a standout track from his Torcher EP. The song blends his signature reggae-dancehall roots with contemporary Afropop rhythms, and with amapiano, reinforcing his reputation as one of Africa’s most consistent global exports.
At #17, Gyakie makes her mark with “Sankofa,” taken from her “After Midnight“ album. The introspective record resonated with audiences for its emotional depth and melodic strength, showcasing Gyakie’s continued artistic evolution.
Meanwhile, alté trailblazer Amaarae delivers one of the strongest showings on the list, landing two songs in the Top 15. Her genre-bending tracks “Girlie-Pop!” and “S.M.O.” from the critically acclaimed BLACKSTAR album secure #8 and #12, respectively—highlighting her bold creative vision and global influence.
Amaarae, ‘Girlie-Pop!’
Amaarae, ‘S.M.O.’
Under Afropop’s wide umbrella, musicians young and old played with tradition and paid homage to the greats before them just as much as they embraced innovation and strengthened their unique voices. Rolling Stone’s recognition of these artists reflects Afropop’s expanding reach and Ghana’s pivotal role in shaping the sound’s future.