MOLIY Announces Debut Mixtape BADDIES
Big news for “Shake It To The Max” star MOLIY—the next era is officially here. Her debut mixtape “BADDIES <3 MOLIY” is out now and is already projected to become the most-streamed Ghanaian project in Spotify history. Built to connect cultures, it shines a light on a rising and established global talent. Luckily for us, we got the chance to sit down with her and talk all things MOLIY.
FEATURE INTERVIEW:
“BADDIES MOLIY” is described as a cross-cultural debut mixtape—what does that word mean to you in your world?
To me, cross-cultural means bringing different worlds together and letting them connect through music. BADDIES MOLIY brings in artists and sounds from different countries – with all of their own vibes, influences, and energy – but makes it all feel like one. I don’t think music has to stay in one lane or belong to one genre. I’ve been influenced by so many places, people, and sounds, and BADDIES MOLIY reflects that. It shows that music can connect us no matter where we come from.
How did you decide which sounds, scenes, and artists would represent your “global” vision?
I truly believe music brings people together. The mixtape is almost like a passport – it takes you through global sounds, but always keeps my identity at the center. No matter where the sound travels, it still sounds like MOLIY. And honestly, I just wanted to work with artists I genuinely feel excited by, and it just so happened that so many of them are from different countries.
What’s the mindset heading into the release of your debut mixtape?
I’m excited more than anything! Of course there are nerves, but I’m grateful to show the world more of me. Especially after the success of “Shake It To The Max.” BADDIES MOLIY showcases more sides of me and my artistry. Working on a mixtape with 12 tracks also allowed me to be more experimental with my sound, so I’m ready for the world to experience it.
Is there a specific emotion or theme you want fans to feel from this record?
I want my fans to feel empowered, confident, and fearless, both on the dance floor and in their everyday lives. I hope my music makes people feel like they can be whoever they want to be. If you’re dancing, feeling good, and moving through the world with that energy, then I’ve done my job.
Your teaser trailer is set in a warehouse hideout with a glam underground rebellion vibe. Where did that aesthetic come from?
The teaser was so fun. It came to fruition to create this world around BADDIES MOLIY. I think the grungy warehouse vibe was a little unexpected but made sense because I kept envisioning a gang of baddies ready to take over the world. The location felt like this secret space where all the baddies come together, let loose, and be themselves and plot world domination. I loved playing with the idea of taking this industrial location and turning it into a baddie underground playground, filled with color, glam, heels, attitude…
What was the goal behind the Y2K look?
I know it’s giving that, but I wanted to create a world where I reinvented what that meant to be in my own MOLIY world. It’s bold, experimental, colorful, and unapologetic, which is exactly my vibe in this new era. I’ve been mixing those Y2K influences with elements of my culture, and some of my favorite baddies, so it feels connected to where I come from and the places that
inspire me. You can see that in the “Jetski (FRIKI)” video with Yailin la Más Viral. We brought in the colors and flags of our home countries through the styling, which acted as an homage to the early 2000s and where we came from.
You’ve hit huge milestones becoming Spotify’s most-streamed Ghanaian artist of 2025 and touring across North America. Which moment surprised you the most, and how did it change how you approach your music?
Seeing people know the words to all my songs and memorize the dance moves has been surreal. The streaming numbers are really crazy too. “Shake It To The Max” hit over a billion streams, which is hard to even wrap my mind around. But the IRL experience of seeing people connect with my music is really what makes it hit me. It affirms me that staying true to who you are gets you further than trying to fit into one box.
You became the first Ghanaian artist to earn an American Music Awards nomination. What did that mean personally, and how do you balance industry recognition with staying true to your artistry?
It was a huge honor, not just for me, but for Ghana and everyone who’s been championing
African music. Recognition like that means a lot because it shows that the music is traveling and
that people are paying attention to the talent coming out of Ghana. Representation has always been important. It shows the next generation that you can come from anywhere and have your
music connect with people on a global scale.
Collaborating with global names like Ciara, Sean Paul, Chloe Bailey, and Tyla is massive! Who would be a dream collaboration for you?
I would love to collaborate with Doja Cat; I love her authenticity and that she’s not afraid to express herself creatively. Also, Eminem. I loved listening to his music growing up. In terms of other African artists, Rema comes to mind. And one that might surprise people would be Ed Sheeran. I’m passionate about songwriting, and I really admire his skills.
“Body Go” with Tyla is included as a 2025 single. What’s the story behind that track?
We’d both been fans of each other’s music for a while, so the collaboration was really aligned. I have a lot of respect for Tyla and what she’s doing for women African artists on a global level. She’s shown that there’s space for us in the international mainstream to be fully ourselves and to explore sounds beyond what people might expect from us. I also love that she moves so freely between genres and isn’t afraid to fuse different sounds in one project.
We both like bringing in those pop and international influences into our music. Shooting the music video was such a vibe. We got to dress up in a fun and sexy baddie aesthetic, and it honestly just felt like a girls’ night out.
What is your songwriting philosophy?
I like being as comfortable as possible in the studio, so that I can throw out new ideas and feel completely free to be creative. I love including little references to my culture and personal experiences, so that the music is authentic to me. A reference that a lot of people picked up on in “Shake It To The Max” was “You’re looking for love, and I’m looking for jollof; Baby, you can’t handle all the sauce.”
You’ve built momentum with Skillibeng, and there’s also an upcoming headline Europe/UK tour. How are you tailoring the live experience for different crowds, and what can fans expect from the set?
Every crowd has its own energy, and I love feeding off that. Whether I’m performing in Europe, the UK, North America, or Africa, I always bring my best, so people leave feeling like they were a part of something special. Every show is one big party where everyone can whine their waist and have fun together.
TEAM CREDITS:
Editor-in-Chief: Prince Chenoa
Feature Editor: Taylor Winter Wilson (@taylorwinter)
