Ghanaian singer-songwriter Moliy, best known for her global breakout single Shake It to the Max, has reaffirmed her commitment to staying independent, saying she has no intention of signing with a record label.
In a recent interview with Revolt T, Moliy—whose genre-blending sound has earned her international acclaim—expressed a long-standing skepticism about traditional label deals. “I’ve always been hesitant to be a label artist,” she said. “I’ve just heard so many stories. I always feel like the people I work with, I want to trust them. I want it to feel organic.”
While artists often cite label affiliations as a means to bolster distribution, marketing, and global reach, Moliy insists the freedom of independence outweighs those advantages—at least for now.
“I don’t just want to be a name on a list,” she said. “Music is very personal to me. The most freeing part is just getting to do what I want creatively without someone telling me what to do. I don’t like being told what to do.”
Still, independence has not come without its setbacks. In 2024, she went a full year without releasing new material as she and her manager struggled to secure a distribution deal. “The conversations were sounding positive, but nothing was actually happening,” she recalled. “I remember thinking, ‘Well, f**k it, I still wanna move. I don’t wanna be stagnant.’”
Moliy’s success as an independent artist places her among a growing cohort of musicians redefining career trajectories outside the traditional label system. Her rise reflects a broader shift within the music industry, where digital platforms and direct-to-fan engagement have reduced reliance on major label infrastructure.
Although she doesn’t rule out a partnership in the future, Moliy says any potential deal would need to be built on mutual respect and creative alignment. “If I did get locked in with a label, I hope it’s something that could be a real, long-lasting, organic relationship,” she said.
For now, she remains committed to steering her own course. “If you’re not pushing yourself, if you’re not putting your foot on the gas, no one is gonna do it for you. That’s what I love the most.”
