Think Amaarae is the first Ghanaian at Coachella? Think again! Here are all 10 Ghanaian artists who have rocked the stage.
The iconic festival has long been synonymous with boundary-pushing performances that catapult artists onto the global stage. While African artists have rocked the Coachella stage over the years, Ghanaian artists remain a minority on the lineup. For those who have made it, however, the festival has served as a powerful platform to showcase the depth and richness of the country’s music and culture.
In 2025, Amaarae made history as the first Ghanaian artist to perform a solo set at the iconic festival. Her captivating performance paid homage to both her unique sound and Ghanaian musical heritage, featuring standout renditions of beloved local classics.
However, while her solo performance is undoubtedly groundbreaking, Amaarae is far from the first artist from the beautiful West African nation to grace the big stage. So, let’s take a closer look at 10 other acts—both born in Ghana and of Ghanaian descent—who’ve lit up the Coachella stage over the years. Trust us; some of these names will surprise you!
1. Tricky (2001)
The journey begins in 2001 with Tricky, the iconic UK-born artist of Ghanaian descent. He brought his unique blend of trip-hop and rap to the festival, setting the stage for future artists of Ghanaian descent to follow in his footsteps. He is a trailblazer in every sense!
2. Vic Mensa (2015)
Fast forward to 2015, when Vic Mensa, a US-born artist with Ghanaian roots, hit the Coachella stage. Known for his hard-hitting lyricism and captivating presence, Mensa’s performance added a touch of hip-hop flair to the festival’s growing diversity.
3. Fuse ODG (2016)
Fuse ODG didn’t perform a solo set, but his 2016 guest appearance during Major Lazer’s performance marked a historic moment. A UK-born Ghanaian artist, Fuse ODG has been one of the biggest ambassadors of Afrobeats globally, and this set helped introduce even more of that infectious Ghanaian energy to the Coachella crowd.
4. Stormzy (2017)
Stormzy, the British rapper of Ghanaian descent, took to the big stage in 2017 and delivered an electrifying solo set. His performance celebrated grime, a hip-hop sub-genre he helped popularize worldwide.
5. Moses Sumney (2018)
In 2018, Moses Sumney, a US-born artist with Ghanaian roots, mesmerized festival audiences with his ethereal, genre-defying sound. Known for his haunting vocals and atmospheric performances, Sumney proved that Ghanaian talent spans across musical genres—electronic, experimental, and beyond.
6. Benjamin Clementine (2018)
Also in 2018, Benjamin Clementine, a Ghana-born artist, debuted at the festival. With his striking voice and poignant songwriting, Clementine brought an air of sophistication to the festival, blending soul, jazz, and classical influences in a way that was uniquely his own. His performance was a standout moment of the festival, leaving the crowd in awe.
7. Virgil Abloh (2019)
While Virgil Abloh was known primarily for his work as a designer, he proved his versatility in 2019 with a solo DJ set at the festival. A US-born Ghanaian artist, Abloh’s performance on the festival’s electronic stage was as stylish as his fashion creations, bringing a touch of high-fashion cool.
8. Idris Elba (2019 & 2024)
Idris Elba, the multi-talented UK-born actor and DJ of Ghanaian descent, made waves at Coachella with his solo DJ set in 2019, followed by another set with Skepta in 2024. Elba’s transition from acting to DJing has been nothing short of impressive, and his appearances showed the world that his talents extend far beyond the big screen.
9. RAYE (2024)
In 2024, RAYE, a UK-born artist of Ghanaian descent, made her festival debut. Known for her infectious pop and R&B hits, RAYE’s performance represented a new wave of Ghanaian talent in the global music scene, and she brought a powerful presence to the stage, winning over the festival’s diverse audience.
10. Amaarae (2025)
And now, Amaarae. The Ghanaian-born artist is making history in 2025 as the first-ever Ghanaian-born female artist to perform her own solo set at the festival! Known for her genre-bending sound and bold aesthetic, Amaarae’s rise to global prominence has been meteoric. Her performance on the big stage was not just a personal triumph but a massive win for Ghanaian women in music.
