Cina Soul’s debut album proves she’s as gifted as promised, blending highlife, R&B, and soul into a captivating, genre-blurring body of work.
For nearly a decade, Cina Soul has captivated music lovers with her velvety vocals and rich musicality, cementing her place in Ghana’s music scene. Since breaking out on Vodafone Icons in 2014, she’s evolved into a powerhouse storyteller, blending highlife, R&B, and soul into a sound that is unmistakably hers.
Her debut EP Metanoia in 2016 marked her arrival as a soulful force to be reckoned with. Featuring collaborations with the likes of M.anifest, Worlasi, and KiDi, the project put her on the map. That same year, her appearances on M.anifest’s critically acclaimed Nowhere Cool album solidified her as a prominent figure in the Ghanaian music landscape. But it wasn’t just the EP and collaborations that set Cina Soul apart—it was her consistency. Over the years, she has continued to release a string of singles and EPs, each showcasing her growth and artistic depth.
However, the road to her long-awaited debut studio album, Did I Lie?, hasn’t been without its bumps. After a stint with Universal Music Group in 2018, where creative constraints almost snuffed out her spark, Cina Soul decided to take matters into her own hands. Her smash hit Ojorley, initially dismissed by Universal because of its heavy use of the Ga language, was released anyway—and guess what? It turned out to be one of her most defining tracks, catapulting her to new heights
For fans who’ve followed Cina Soul’s remarkable journey, there’s even more to discover about this powerhouse vocalist. If you haven’t already, check out our article 10 Fascinating Facts You Didn’t Know About Cina Soul to dive deeper into her story.
There’s an undeniable maturity to Cina Soul’s newly released album, Did I Lie?—a thoughtful balance of her R&B roots and the rich rhythms of Ghanaian music that she continues to explore and reimagine. While her earlier works hinted at her versatility, this album marks the moment she fully steps into her own—not just as a musician but as a storyteller unafraid to confront the layered complexities of love, pain, and triumph.
From the opening notes of Did I Lie?, it’s evident that this album isn’t a reinvention—it’s an evolution. Cina Soul builds on the foundation she’s laid over the years, refining her sound with greater clarity and confidence. The instrumentals, led predominantly by Ghanaian production talents Master Maison and Jordan Beatz—with tasteful contributions from DJ Breezy, Beatzvampire, Kayso, and Jesse Kyng—are lush, layered, and tailored to spotlight her vocal strengths. Clocking in at just 31 minutes, the album is tightly curated, with each track serving a clear purpose and none overstaying its welcome.
The title Did I Lie serves as a rhetorical challenge and a thematic thread that runs through the album. The album’s themes are varied but interconnected—love, loss, betrayal, healing, and self-empowerment.
Her lyrics are evocative and poignant, capturing complex emotions with simplicity and grace. The use of English, Ga, Twi, and Pidgin in her writing adds authenticity to her narrative, making the album feel deeply rooted in her Ghanaian identity while still resonating with a global audience.
Opening with Breathe, the album immediately sets a reflective, almost somber tone. Light piano chords underscore Cina Soul’s emotive delivery, creating a sense of vulnerability that lasts through the entire album. The track’s brief introduction leads into Big Manye, where she taps into the heart of Afrobeats and Highlife, combining the genres with a modern pop twist. Featuring divas Sefa, Elestee (formerly Lifesize Teddy), and TiTi Owusu, the song is a joyous posse cut that celebrates femininity. Big Manye, which translates to “Big Queen,” boasts a melody that is both uplifting and cathartic.
In Did I Lie?, Cina Soul expertly navigates various musical terrains. Different Place, a mid-tempo Afrobeats number, features lush instrumentation and a smooth bassline, placing her vocals front and center. It’s a moment of reflection, with the artist exploring the emotional complexity of distance. The next track—and an easy album favorite—Basintale further showcases Cina Soul’s expansive range, channeling a dancehall-inflected vocal delivery that breathes fresh energy into traditional rhythms. By fusing these rootsy elements with sleek, contemporary production, she crafts a sound that’s both culturally anchored and refreshingly progressive.
One of the album’s defining moments arrives with Larger Than Life, a sensually charged duet with Dancehall heavyweight Stonebwoy. The track masterfully balances both romantic tension and genre fusion, bridging Afrobeats and Dancehall with pulsating rhythms and undeniable chemistry. Stonebwoy’s gritty delivery adds edge to Cina Soul’s smooth, sultry vocals, resulting in a club-ready anthem that feels as intimate as it is electrifying.
Arizona, featuring Mr Drew, is another standout—an infectious, romantic Afrobeats track with a catchy hook and a warm, melodic backdrop that makes it easy to envision playing on repeat in the hottest summer playlists. In contrast, Too Bad sees Cina Soul teaming up with rap legend Sarkodie, drill maverick YGA O’Kenneth, and hitmaking producer DJ Breezy, as they tap into hip-hop and Asakaa drill influences. The high-energy track feels like a confrontation, with Sarkodie’s rapid-fire bars and O’Kenneth’s bold delivery creating an intriguing contrast to Cina Soul’s commanding yet melodic presence.
However, it’s Good Lies, the emotional heart of the album, that stands out as the most compelling track. Here, Cina Soul dives deep into the complexities of deception in love, crafting a poignant narrative about the comfort found in falsehoods. The minimalistic reggae production lets her voice take center stage, delivering a hauntingly precise performance. The lyrics capture the emotional tension, navigating the delicate balance of trust, vulnerability, and the human need for reassurance.
Ahead of the album’s release, Suloli dropped as a vibrant Afro-pop earworm, with Cina Soul and Olivetheboy teaming up for a track that’s impossible to resist. Cina Soul adds her signature smooth touch to the chorus, while Olivetheboy holds his own with an infectious delivery that perfectly complements her. Together, they create a dynamic energy, with melodies that are practically designed to get any party started.
Ironically, Sexy Riddim doesn’t sound quite as sexy as its title suggests. Still, it finds Cina Soul once again slipping into dancehall-inspired delivery, showcasing her ease with genre-hopping. The track flirts with sensuality and rhythm, even if it never fully surrenders to the heat it promises. In contrast, Personal takes a more stripped-back approach, offering a vocal-driven record that allows her to showcase her raw emotional depth, laying her heart bare with every note.
Tuff Times closes the album on a gospel-infused note, offering a message of hope and perseverance. While the synthetic bassline and abrupt ending may feel somewhat jarring, the track’s lyrical weight and Cina Soul’s emotive delivery give it the resonance of a benediction. It’s a reflective conclusion to a project that consistently dares to dig beneath the surface.
One of the standout strengths of Did I Lie? lies in its collaborations. Cina Soul masterfully invites other voices into her sonic world without ever losing command of the narrative. From Stonebwoy’s raw energy on Larger Than Life to Olivetheboy’s vibrant charm on Suloli, each feature reveals a new layer of her artistry. Even on high-octane tracks like Too Bad, where heavyweights like Sarkodie and YGA O’Kenneth bring the heat, Cina Soul holds her ground with poise and presence—never outshined, always in sync.
Did I Lie? marks a pivotal moment in Cina Soul’s evolution—a genre-blurring project that seamlessly fuses Afrobeats, R&B, Reggae, Dancehall, and Hip-hop into one cohesive body of work. With a purposeful 31-minute runtime, the album offers a concise yet impactful listening experience, rich in both musical variety and emotional depth. While tracks like Tuff Times and Sexy Riddim may dip into more monotonous territory, the album’s highs undeniably outweigh its lows, showcasing Cina Soul’s undeniable artistry.
In the end, Did I Lie? stands as a powerful testament to Cina Soul’s artistry, ambition, and gift for crafting timeless music that resonates deeply. With this project, she not only cements her place in Ghana’s musical canon but also signals, with quiet confidence, that she’s ready for the global spotlight.
