Born in the Bronx and raised between Accra in Ghana, Atlanta, Georgia and Hackettstown, New Jersey, Amaarae is an artist whose diverse cultural connections have helped her form a broad and sprawling sound with a range of influences. After releasing her critically acclaimed album debut full-length project ‘THE ANGEL YOU DON’T KNOW’ in 2020, Amaarae has now revealed her latest track, a remix of one of the tracks off the album entitled ‘SAD GIRLZ LUV MONEY’ featuring R&B heavyweight, Kali Uchis.
The track is driven by a smooth Afro-Pop instrumental, the relaxed drum rhythm keeps you engaged as the other percussion sounds work around the drums creating a lush, multi-layered sonic.
Vocally is where this remix really shines, the juxtaposition between Amaarae’s vocals and Kali Uchis’s bilingual crooning is sublime, their vocals perfectly complement each other whilst weaving within the instrumental arrangements creating a stunning vocal sonic. Kali helps to level up ‘SAD GIRLZ LUV MONEY’ as she states her aims throughout this female empowerment anthem stating “I’m that bitch on & off of the cameras. Type of bitch few people can handle & I walk like I know my pussy dangerous”.
Speaking on the remix Amaarae has said ‘’SAD GIRLZ LUV MONEY was already a magical song with Myself and Moliy but Kali takes it to a new dimension! I’m excited to have her on the remix, I’ve loved her music since I was 19 in College so to be able to work on this with her was amazing and she kills her verse! I think the Sad Girlz Worldwide are going to LOVE this!’
With Kali Uchis adding “I love this song so much and was honored when Ama asked me to be a part of this. She deserves all the success and blessings coming her way”
A songwriter, singer, producer and engineer, Amaarae is an artist who harbours many talents. Starting her career in a very DIY way, Amaarae sold mixtapes to high school classmates and threw herself into learning as much about production and engineering as she could whilst in school, later founding her independent record label – Ghana-based Golden Child Entertainment Ltd.
The original version of ‘SAD GIRLZ LUV MONEY’ appeared on Amaarae’s debut album, ‘THE ANGEL YOU DON’T KNOW’. The 14-track offering was a perfect encapsulation of Amaarae’s broad sound with her experimenting with various genres and different lyrical themes throughout. Tracks like ‘D*A*N*G*E*R*O*U*S*’ and ‘CRAZY WURLD’ have a pop-punk sound whilst ‘3 AM’ mixes Progressive House, Afrobeats and Psychedelic Disco.
Kali Uchis is equally talented, raised between Virginia and Colombia, Kali has been a staple in the R&B and hip-hop worlds since the release of her debut EP Por Vida in 2015, with her, recently released second album Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios) being widely praised. Catchy, refined and endlessly listenable, the ‘SAD GIRLZ LUV MONEY’ remix is a perfect collaboration between two extremely talented artists and one which has made me understand why Amaarae has gained such a dedicated cult following.
Words: David Pratt
