Moliy with the award
Ghanaian-American singer, Moliy, has made history as the first Ghanaian artiste to win at the Caribbean Music Awards.
Moliy won Dancehall Song of the Year at the 2026 edition of the awards for her global hit “Shake It to the Max (Fly) Remix” featuring Jamaican stars Shenseea and Skillibeng.
The win was celebrated by fans and industry peers, with rapper Sarkodie hailing her as “queen” for the milestone achievement that marks a major moment for Ghanaian talent on the international stage.
Born Moliy Ama Montgomery on October 4, 2001 in Accra, Moliy grew up between Accra and Florida. She began her career in 2020 with her debut EP Wondergirl, which gained airplay across Nigeria, Kenya and The Gambia, before shooting to international prominence in 2021 on Amaarae’s viral hit “Sad Girlz Luv Money” remix featuring Kali Uchis.
The track debuted at No. 80 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at No. 29 on the UK Singles Chart. Her biggest solo breakthrough came in 2024 with “Shake It to the Max (Fly)” produced by Jamaican producer Silent Addy.
The song became a TikTok phenomenon, topping the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart. The 2025 remix with Shenseea and Skillibeng propelled her to new heights: surpassed 1 billion streams worldwide; spent 22 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard US Afrobeats Songs Chart, later extending to 27 weeks, and topped the year-end chart; entered the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 65; ranked in Spotify’s Top 5 Songs of the Summer and TikTok’s Top 10 Global Songs of Summer.
The success earned her several historic firsts: the first Ghanaian to perform at the BET Awards, first Ghanaian to exceed 20 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and recipient of the Billboard Africa Hit Maker Award, with MTV VMA nominations for Best Afrobeats and Song of the Summer.
Recently named in Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 Class of 2026 and cover star for Billboard Africa, Moliy continues to prove that African music has no borders – with her Caribbean Music Awards win now adding another groundbreaking chapter to her story.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke