The Reign of the BOSS BIT*HES
It’s undeniable that Amaarae has been on a roll this year. Despite COVID pumping the breaks on her first global tour, this atomic angel did not let the craziness of current state of affairs stop her from claiming her position as a frontrunner for the nu school of fast-rising African talent making waves worldwide.
Coming off her last sultry release ‘Leave Me Alone’, Alte RNB’s very own warrior princess is back with another fun-packed track titled ‘Fancy’ off her forthcoming EP, The Angel You Don’t Know. Whilst ‘Leave Me Alone’ was for the slow ride back from the turn-up, Fancy’s accentuated drums and gnarly guitar riffs make it the perfect pregame jam for any motive.
Fancy is a “bad bih record” Amaarae shares, “a joint you can put on when you’re getting ready to go out, getting ready to ace that exam, ask for that promotion, do that job interview or go on that date that you know you’re are about to dress to kill for! It’s for the BOSS BITCHES.”
The accompanying visuals to ‘Fancy’ are filled with even more uncompromised ‘in your face’ quirky energy that the star is known for. Channelling the confidence of a rock n roll trap mami who has smoke for anybody who wants to try her, Fancy’s video is an ode to Amaarae’s usual stand out style and out of the box sound.
The video opens up with Amaarae and her girls speeding in a hot blue whip through Tema Port Harbour in Ghana. Reminiscent of the Otis video from Kanye and Jay-Z’s joint album Watch the Throne. The star dressed to flex in what seems to be a cowrie covered gimp suit gown sneers at the camera, throwing a nod to Missy Elliot’s performance in her shiny black suit from the She’s a Bitch video. Cutting to old webchat screengrabs and a 90s style internet cafe, Amaarae’s girls are putting in work only pausing to jam out whilst covered in glo paint. Fancy’s video grabs at the audience inducing a nostalgia-tinged psychedelic trip that leaves us stimulated and ready to bust some moves of our own.
Judging from the year she’s had, Amaarae and her team have clearly been grinding. Which in essence is what Fancy is about, putting in the hours so you can flex and stunt all you want later on. Over the past two years, Alte music’s sweetheart has pulled off star features with notable acts such as Santi, Zamir LOS, MENSA and Wande Coal alongside iconic IG live performances with lifestyle brands like Burberry. Amaarae continues to take her unique rebel sound and aesthetic worldwide adding to her ever-growing cult of fans confirming that this angel is definitely set to go atomic.
At iMullar, we caught up with the angel on her latest inspirations, her grind and what keeping it fancy means to her.
What does bossing up mean to Amaarae?
A- Bossing up to me means taking responsibility for myself and my actions. Holding myself accountable. Growing, learning how to communicate, to love to be empathetic to others, being there for my friends and family. Doing all these things and getting money.
Regarding people who wanna try her
A- I have nothing to say to them, I’d rather just get money and let that talk for me. Beyoncé said the best revenge is your paper and she never lied.
On maintaining self-confidence
A- When I’m feeling low I like to put on music and dance. That’s how I restore my self-confidence. It’s so therapeutic.
What makes Amaarae feel fancy?
A- Credit alerts make me feel fancy sha looooool. That and having good health. I know I keep making jokes about getting money but I’m actually so serious. Financial freedom and independence, having the resources to explore the world as you please and at your own pace, engaging in new experiences. Spending what you want, how you want, when you want without a care. That’s the type of liberation that makes a girl like me feel FANCY.
Oozing confidence and unashamed female energy, Amaarae is right at home with the rise of dope female artistes dominating global music charts and cultural conversations. It’s no surprise that acts like Flo Milli, Megan thee Stallion and Chloe x Halle to name a few are currently on the stars top 5 list. In the singer’s own words, “women have put out some of the best and most versatile music this year. It’s so incredible, refreshing and empowering. The girls are changing the game babyyyy!” And the same can be said for this innovative Ghanaian American artiste blurring the lines between gangsta and soft, RnB and pop, trap and rock to share herself through the music.
On Fancy, Amaarae wants to give the girls an anthem to ‘boss up to’, to feel empowered by. The song’s production shows off Amaarae’s urban influences blending notes of Southern American bounce, trap and moody RnB into a sound that makes us want to rage out and dance. The colourful visuals take us on a journey through the singer’s playful mental landscape giving us a taste of what influences her feelings of fancy and confidence inviting us deeper into Amaarae’s world.
One of a kind, empowered and talented, the singer with the angel voice is clearly ascending, making Fancy the best kind of opening theme song.
What’s pregaming for Amaarae like? and 3 tracks off your pregame playlist?
A – “Errmm, Let’s say in a year or two I haven’t been much of a heavy drinker, but when I’m pregaming, I’d like to start myself off with a nice glass or two of wine, just kinda listen to music, turn up before the turn you know what I mean.” said Amaarae and her top 3 pregaming tracks are; Love nwatiti – CKay, Paranoid by R2bees and Flo Milli “Ho Why Is U Here?”, Album.
Need a pick me up? Get loose and listen to FANCY HERE AND WATCH THE VIDEO.
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PHOTOGRAPHY
Yussif Al Jabaar
CREATIVE DIRECTION
Yussif Al Jabaar
Amaarae
MAKE – UP
Bibii Jones
PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANTS
Emmanuel Duah
Esther Bilson