Amaarae Reflects on Making History as the First Ghanaian Solo Female Act at Coachella

In a landmark moment for African music, Amaarae made history as the first Ghanaian solo female artist to perform at Coachella – and the impact has been deeply personal and globally resonant.

Speaking with Rolling Stone, the genre-blending star opened up about what the performance meant to her. “It was a huge turning point,” she said. “Before, my shows would mainly be, like, young Black kids, young African kids. There’s clearly been a shift here.”

That shift – from a niche to a global audience – reflects the expanding reach of African alternative sounds and the increasing representation of African artists on international stages. “Now, it’s much more of a global representation and melting point,” Amaarae added. “Which brings me a huge sense of pride.”

Her performance wasn’t just a personal milestone – it was a cultural statement. A statement that women from the continent can stand on the world’s biggest stages and command attention with originality, artistry, and pride in their roots.