Exclusive: Ghanaian-American sensation MOLIY opens up about her career, global stardom, and viral hit “shake it to the max (FLY)

Ghanaian-American artist MOLIY is a force to be reckoned with. The global sensation exploded onto the scene earlier this year with her viral, chart-topping track “Shake It To The Max (FLY) - Remix”, capturing hearts worldwide and cementing her place as one of 2025’s breakout stars. Her unstoppable rise was further recognized when she received the Hit Maker of the Year award at Billboard Africa, a moment that highlighted both her talent and her growing influence on the global music stage.

MOLIY teamed up with Grammy-winning South African popstar Tyla for the infectious single and music video, “Body Go”. Seamlessly blending R&B, Pop, Amapiano, and Afrobeats, the collaboration radiates confidence, girlhood energy, and undeniable dancefloor appeal. Dripping in metallic glam, the video reflects MOLIY’s bold personality, vibrant makeup, and unique style—another facet of how she expresses herself creatively.

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2025 has been a whirlwind for MOLIY. Her viral hit “Shake It To The Max (FLY) - Remix” landed on Spotify’s Top 5 Songs of Summer and TikTok’s Top 10 Global Songs of Summer, while also earning her MTV VMA nominations for Best Afrobeats and Song of the Summer. She also made history as the first Ghanaian artist to perform at the BET Awards, proving her influence is truly international.

Through it all, MOLIY remains grounded, confident, and unapologetically herself. From viral hits to award-winning performances and global collaborations, MOLIY is defining what it means to rise on her own terms.

In this exclusive Q&A with GLAMOUR, she shares her journey to self-love, staying grounded amid online chatter, and what fans can expect from her next chapter in 2026.

GLAMOUR: You’ve spent your years between Ghana and the U.S. How did your upbringing influence your love for music, and what sounds shaped your early passion?

MOLIY: I definitely fell in love with music in Ghana, more as a listener than thinking about a career. I’ve always made playlists and grouped songs I loved. I’ve gone through multiple phases—hip hop with Lil Wayne and Eminem, EDM, and a strong dancehall phase. My friends and I would go on road trips blasting dancehall and making music on a loop. I’ve always loved high-energy beats and just being passionate about music. Growing up, my sister and I also recreated songs we loved from Disney shows like Camp Rock and Waverly Place. Music has always been a big part of my life, even before it became a serious career.

GLAMOUR: When did it become a professional pursuit, and how did your first experiences in music shape your path?

MOLIY: Around 2018, I thought, “Maybe I should record my own music.” I didn’t really know what I was doing, but I followed my passion. My first EP came out in 2020, and at the time, I was just figuring things out. I’d write music with my sister and experiment with sounds, gradually learning what I loved and how to express it.

GLAMOUR: Your hit Shake It has a dancehall vibe. Is that the genre you want to stick with, or are you exploring other influences?

MOLIY: I follow what I feel in the moment. My earlier work had more Afrofusion and low-tempo Afrobeat influences, but now I’m heavily inspired by different sounds, including Korean music. I like expressing all my influences across genres and just being true to what I feel.

GLAMOUR: You recently won Hit Maker of the Year at Billboard Africa. What was that experience like, and how did it feel being recognized on such a platform?

MOLIY: It was amazing! I was nervous because it was my first physically awarded moment. Giving a speech felt huge, but I was grateful and excited. It really validated the hard work I’d been putting in and motivated me to keep going.

GLAMOUR: Speaking of recognition, you’ve had huge collaborations, like with Tyla. How did that come about?

MOLIY: It started over DMs! She followed me, and I’d always been a fan of her work. We connected over mutual admiration, she commented on a song I’d been teasing, Baki, and I suggested a collab. Eventually, our teams made it official. The song Body Go actually started as a slow R&B/Afro track but evolved into an Amapiano record with our producers. It was seamless once we were aligned creatively.

GLAMOUR: Social media has clearly been a huge part of your journey. How did going viral on TikTok and using these platforms influence your career?

MOLIY: Social media has been essential. Growing up in Ghana, I didn’t have many people to guide me in the music business, so my phone became my platform. Going viral is a learning process—it teaches you resilience, how to deal with attention, criticism, and love. My first viral moment was in 2022 with Sagas of Money. It prepared me for the pressures of having a global audience and helped me focus on my art.

GLAMOUR: African music is making waves globally, with artists like Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Tyler gaining international recognition. What’s your take on the current state of African music?

MOLIY: We’re in a great place. Seeing African artists collaborate internationally and perform globally has opened doors for everyone. It’s inspiring, once you see someone do it, it shows that there’s more to achieve and more confidence to explore opportunities. It feels like a trickle-down effect, and I love that momentum.

GLAMOUR: Looking ahead to 2026, what can fans expect from you in terms of music?

MOLIY: I’m dropping a mixtape that reflects the energy I’m feeling right now. It’s a mix of high-energy beats, Caribbean music, hip hop, and a revival of Azonto music from Ghana, reimagined to be vibrant and body-friendly, so anyone can dance to it. I’m excited for people to experience this next phase of my sound.