Up-and-coming Ghanaian American artist Moliy released her latest EP, Honey Doom, in late 2022.
The name Moliy may sound familiar to both Kali Uchis fans and users of social media platform TikTok. Her hit collaboration with Uchis and Amaarae on "Sad Girlz Luv Money" has accumulated more than 300 million streams on Spotify alone, with countless more across other digital streaming platforms (DSPs). The track was also featured as a trending sound on TikTok and Instagram, introducing the trio's music to global audiences on a massive scale.
On the heels of her success with "Sad Girlz Luv Money", as well as other singles, Moliy's Honey Doom further builds momentum for her career and propels her further into the global spotlight. Her inimitable alté and Afro-fusion sound speaks to experiences relatable across multiple cultures and demographics.
Honey Doom follows Moliy's exploration of love and life as a young woman; it's everything from the beautiful to the bittersweet. The project captures the seemingly endless complexities and contradictions within each relationship (romantic or otherwise) and the necessity of strong self-worth. The opening track "Together" sets a breezy, optimistic tone for the entire LP. In addition to Moliy's signature silky-smooth vocals, tastefully layered synths and clean-toned guitar arrangement give the tune a warm, welcoming energy. The stand-out drum tracks contribute significantly to the distinctiveness of the composition. The rhythms celebrate the artist's Ghanaian roots and make for a uniquely addictive combination of pop, RnB, and Afro-fusion.
"Prisoner" hits perfectly on the sense of control lost to love: inescapable and sometimes scary. Moliy's raw, vulnerable lyricism describes how if feels to surrender herself to her feelings. Emotions are not the only thing being held captive, however, with melodies so catchy they're sure to play in listeners' minds long after the song ends. The sultry horn section of "Body on fire" compliments a soft, breathy vocal performance. The instrumentation speaks a language of its own, forming a subtle call-and-response with Moliy.
If any song can cure heartbreak, it's "Love Doc". The track radiates mellow positivity despite focusing on a bleak romantic situation. Between its clever lyrics and satisfying dual guitar parts, this bop is just what the doctor ordered. "Freak" is a bouncy bite back at domestic abuse. In this anthem aimed at female empowerment, bass drives the song and bolsters Moliy's words. "Human" (featuring Mellissa and Dj Radix) makes for an ideal culminating moment of Honey Doom. The beautiful ballad interweaves classical strings with alté elements. Hard-hitting, unforgettable melodies underscore not only the recurring trials of love but also the importance of remaining true to oneself in the face of heartbreak.
Honey Doom is, without a doubt, Moliy's best body of work yet. The no-skips album reflects her journey of self-love and understanding with respect to relationships, as well as her musical development into Afro-fusion's newest rising star. Honey Doom is a blanket for the soul, leaving anticipation for future projects at an all-time high.
We spoke with Moliy about her influences, new music, and experience as a woman in the music industry. Read the full interview and check out Honey Doom below.
How are you doing today?
I’m doing great, feeling present, positive and grateful today.
At what age did you start making music?
Professionally, I’ve been creating and releasing music since 2020, but for fun I’ve been making music for as long as I can remember.
Who or what first inspired you?
The first artist I was introduced to and I completely fell in love was MJ–I was probably in the first grade then. I’ve followed his sound ever since, it was so thrilling to see someone be an icon and sex symbol but also be able to create music that heals and makes you think about the state of the world.
Who are your biggest musical influences?
Rihanna, she is that girl. There are many pop stars I find inspiration from as well: Doja Cat, Nicki Minaj, Jhené Aiko, Gwen Stefani, and Wizkid, to name a few.
How do you blend Ghanaian music with your other global influences?
I guess you could say it’s in my tone and accent. I also incorporate pidgin (broken English) in some of my lyrics, but it’s my melodies that make it so unique, 'cause it’s inspired by sounds from all over the world.
Describe your sound.
My sound is Afro-pop, a blend of R&B, hip-hop, pop, and Afrobeats fueled with my sweet and very sincere vocals. I like to think people can envision a sassy baby girl wailing and demanding the world to give her everything she deserves and more.
"I like to think people can envision a sassy baby girl wailing and demanding the world to give her everything she deserves and more."
Share about your experience collaborating with Amaarae and Kali Uchis on “Sad Girlz Luv Money”.
I knew Amaarae and I would work together eventually. I had reached out a couple times, it was just a matter of when we would do something. That time finally came after I dropped my debut EP, Wondergirl. She had sent me two fire beats that ended up being “Sad Girlz Luv Money” and “Feel A Way”. The best part about it was that I knew we were making sounds that not only felt amazing but also inspired women to get their money and feel confident. Kali hopping on the remix was the cherry on the cake for me because, obviously, I love her music.
"The best part about it was that I knew we were making sounds that not only felt amazing but also inspired women to get their money and feel confident."
What is your dream collaboration?
Doja Cat and Rihanna, no doubt about it.
Tell us about your latest release, Honey Doom.
Just life, my life to be specific. A lot of moments in there have to do with my own personal experiences over the last two years. It’s been a really amazing period but sad things that are completely out of my control also happen. It’s a bittersweet feeling or emotion, that’s “Honeydoom”. I find putting my feelings and thoughts into the music very therapeutic. It’s almost like a release because then it’s all out in the world and I just have to trust the universe and God to lead me through.
What was the most rewarding aspect of the project?
I found myself experimenting a lot on this project. With different instrumentals, I created songs I didn’t even know I could, such as "Freak" (that's a disco pop record). I mean who would’ve thought! I feel like it just solidified my stance as a worldwide popstar.
What is your favorite song off of the LP?
“Freak”! That’s my baby! It's a true anthem that speaks against domestic violence against women, but it’s done in the most fun way. I hope young girls and women everywhere sing these inspiring words until it’s ingrained in their minds and they can no longer stay and tolerate abusive and toxic relationships.
"I hope young girls and women everywhere sing these inspiring words until it’s ingrained in their minds and they can no longer stay and tolerate abusive and toxic relationships."
Walk us through your songwriting process.
Most of the time it starts with the instrumental. I noticed I’m drawn to beats that evoke certain emotions from me, be it sad, in love, or ones that make me feel like a baddie. It’s sort of like I can feel where the song is going before words even reach my mind. Then I lay down a bunch of melodies and sift through for my faves before I start to add in lyrics that match the melodies. Once I have the hook, the verses come together pretty easily.
What message(s) do you hope to convey with your music?
I want my music to show that I’m a force to be reckoned with–that women are a force to be reckoned with. That our feelings and experiences are valid and deserve to be celebrated the same way men in the industry are uplifted for theirs.
Share about your experience as a Ghanaian woman in the music industry. What advice do you have for young girls hoping to break into music?
It’s exciting, I feel like there’s a lot to unpack when it comes to support, but I also feel like I’m a one-of-a-kind artist navigating a scene that has never experienced an artist like me. I enjoy the support that I do get, and every bit of acknowledgement I receive within the industry is everything to me. But that’s me, I always see the bright side of things, and I see how it can be hard as a young female artist who takes things at face value to see beyond the support they’re getting, realistically it could be a lot more.
But hey, if you can hold onto every kind word and the little support you do get, be patient with yourself and your journey and think positively because at the end of the day, you’re doing this for you. You don’t want to wake up one day years from now and think, “I could’ve been the star, that could’ve been me”. To be honest, there’s a little bit of delusion involved but it has to be that way. I tell myself sometimes that I love this here and now because I know where I’m going. Let me enjoy my days as a civilian with my current problems because one day I am going to be that superstar and I won’t be able to walk around the streets of Accra with no cares. That point in my life is going to come with its own predicaments where I’ll feel like I need something more too, so it’s important to enjoy the now.
"You don’t want to wake up one day years from now and think, 'I could’ve been the star, that could’ve been me.'"
What has been the defining moment in your career so far?
The Wondergirl EP in 2020. That moment changed everything for me and reaffirmed that music was my life’s purpose. I was really creating blindly and had this insane idea to release an EP with no real business plan in the middle of a global pandemic. I was also growing a lot more spiritually, so it was like a feeling of bliss… I just let God do his thing because I knew I’d done the best I could with what I had to make the project happen.
What’s next for Moliy?
Hopefully more shows all over the world, more collaborations with amazing artists, and discovering newer levels to my sound. I never want to be stagnant. I always want to elevate and do better than I have in the past. What’s next you say? World domination.
Is there anything else you’d like people to know about you?
I’m creating a community of dope, like minded individuals and creatives that believe in love, light, and woman power. We’re called the Wondergang, and one day we will be a huge platform for young girls and women everywhere to explore and develop their creativity, as well as be a voice against any and all discrimination against women.
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