There’s a funny but fascinating wave sweeping through Ghana’s music space right now and it’s got everything to do with porridge. Yes, mɔle kooko, that warm, fermented corn porridge most of us grew up on is suddenly finding its way into conversations about one of Ghana’s fastest-rising music stars: Moliy.
Moliy, born Moliy Ama Montgomery is a Ghanaian-American singer with a dreamy sound and a bold, refreshing style, is fast becoming a household name in Ghana. But what’s catching people’s attention isn’t just her music, recently her ‘Shake it to the Max’ remix making waves worldwide; it’s her name. Ghanaians can’t help but notice how “Moliy” sounds almost exactly like mɔle kooko. It’s the kind of coincidence you don’t plan, but when it happens, you grab it and run with it. And that’s exactly what Moliy has done.
She has fully embraced the connection, and now proudly calls her Ghanaian fanbase “Moliycoco”. The name is smart, funny, and honestly, it’s so Ghanaian. What started as innocent banter online has turned into something more a movement, a community, a vibe. She’s taken something culturally familiar and made it part of her brand. And Ghanaians are loving it.
The first time Moliy used the term “Moliy Coco” was after she tweeted on X (formerly Twitter), asking what “Moliy Coco” (Mɔle Kooko) actually meant. It seemed she had just come across the Ghanaian porridge version of the name and was curious. The tweet quickly went viral, especially among her Ghanaian followers, who had long made the playful connection between her name and the popular corn dough porridge. For many fans, they already assumed she was referencing the food all along.
As if that wasn’t enough, a Twitter account with the handle @Moliycoco suddenly popped up, not clear whether it was created by Moliy herself or a parody fan page. Either way, it added fuel to the fun. The bio boldly described the fanbase as: “@moliymusic’s fierce fan army! Spreading Afro-fusion love, viral vibes & Ghanaian pride. Powering Wondergirl & FLY to global glory!”.
That aside, Moliy herself has fully embraced the name “Moliycoco” as the official identity of her fanbase. In a recent tweet, she made it clear that being part of the Moliycoco community goes beyond just liking her music—it’s about embodying a certain energy. She shared that she wants her fans to carry positive vibes only, stressing that she’s all about love, and there’s no room for negativity in her space.
The name play alone is pulling more Ghanaian ears toward her music. There’s a sense of ownership and pride that comes with hearing something that feels so close to home. This is not just a prediction as Moliy herself has tweeted about how her name and music has been popular in Ghana due to her adoption of ‘Moliycoco’, a moment she talked about in her tweet that she has been waiting for.
But beyond the name and the porridge jokes, Moliy is proving herself. She’s not just riding on wordplay; she’s got the voice, the sound, and the presence to back it all up. Songs like “Ghana Bop” and her standout verse on Amaarae’s “Sad Girlz Luv Money” remix show a young woman owning her sound and space, both in Ghana and beyond. Her latest song ‘Shake it to the Max (Fly)’ – the Jamaica & Martinique remix featuring Silent Addy, Skillibeng and Shenseea has been topping charts worldwide ever since its release.
This whole mɔle kooko moment is more than a fanbase name. It has proven how culture, identity, and music can blend in unexpected ways. It’s a reminder that sometimes, it’s the simplest, most relatable things that make an artist unforgettable. Moliy isn’t just rising, she’s rising with flavour. And if you ask me, this MoliyCoco wave just begun.
Editor: Ama Gyesiwaa Quansah
