Showcasing her unique musical blend, Amaarae performed a mix of tracks, including highly anticipated unreleased songs. Significantly, she dedicated a portion of her set to celebrating her heritage, performing songs by fellow Ghanaian artists La Même Gang, Asakaa Boys, and Joey B. "A lotta the music you just heard is from my home country, Ghana," she proudly told the Coachella crowd. "I love my country so much." Adding to the excitement, Amaarae announced that her forthcoming album, titled "Black Star," is set for release in the summer of 2025.
However, the most talked-about moment arrived unexpectedly mid-set when Amaarae appeared to shave off her signature long black hair right on stage. This bold act of transformation immediately sparked a wave of reactions online, particularly on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Fans expressed shock and admiration, with one user writing, "@amaarae shaving her head on stage at Coachella is a power move." Another interpreted the act as a sign of artistic intensity to come, sharing, "Oh that new amaarae album will be fire she’s cut her hair on stage."
Born Ama Serwah Genfi in the US and having spent formative years in Ghana, Atlanta, and New Jersey, Amaarae (formerly known as Petrah) has cultivated a distinct sound merging R&B, hip-hop, punk rock, and Afropop. She first gained wider attention with her 2017 EP "Passionfruit Summers," followed by the critically acclaimed albums "The Angel You Don't Know" (2020) and "Fountain Baby" (2023). Her profile continued to rise after being signed by Concord Music Publishing in 2023 and serving as an opening act on Sabrina Carpenter's "Short n' Sweet Tour" in 2024.
The response to her overall Coachella performance was overwhelmingly positive. Fans lauded not only the surprising head-shaving moment but also her energetic stage presence and meaningful representation of Ghana. "@amaarae performing @LaMemeGang songs at Coachella is ICONIC," one fan posted. Another highlighted the cultural significance: "Big love to @amaarae for flying the Ghana flag so boldly at Coachella. You didn’t just perform, you represented a whole nation with style, grace, and pure talent." Many hailed the performance itself, calling it evidence of incredible growth and even suggesting it was a "once in a generation" display that would "go down in history as one of the best performances ever at the Coachella!"
Amaarae's historic and visually striking Coachella debut served as both a celebration of Ghanaian music and a powerful statement of her evolving artistry, leaving audiences eager for the arrival of "Black Star."