Ghanaian-American singer Amaarae and Ghanaian artist MOLIY have received a notable recognition after their hit “SAD GIRLZ LUV MONEY” was included among 64 tracks nominated for the “20 of the Greatest R&B Songs of the 2020s” at the 2026 Soul Train Awards.
The nomination places the song in a fan-voted ranking that will determine the final top 20 list. Fans can vote once every 24 hours through October 16 on the official Soul Train Awards platform.
The 20 songs that receive the most votes will be ranked and revealed during the Soul Train Awards Red Carpet Show, titled “Back on Track,” which streams ahead of the main ceremony on November 27.
The original version of “SAD GIRLZ LUV MONEY” appeared on Amaarae’s debut album The Angel You Don’t Know, released in November 2020. It features MOLIY and blends elements of Afrobeats, R&B and pop. A remix featuring Colombian-American singer Kali Uchis was released on September 16, 2021. The remix gained significant traction on TikTok through user-generated dance challenges and subsequently charted internationally.
The track peaked at number 80 on the Billboard Hot 100, making Amaarae and MOLIY the first Ghanaian women to enter the chart. It also reached number 29 on the UK Singles Chart, number 26 on the Billboard Global 200, and achieved strong positions in several other territories.
The song has earned multiple certifications, including platinum status in the United States and Canada, reflecting sustained streaming and sales performance years after its release.
Amaarae, born Ama Serwah Genfi in the Bronx and raised between the United States and Ghana, has built a career that fuses Ghanaian influences with alternative R&B and global pop sounds. MOLIY, a Ghanaian singer and songwriter, contributed the distinctive hook and verses that helped define the track’s character. The collaboration has been widely regarded as a breakthrough moment for both artists on the international stage.
Inclusivity of the Song
The inclusion of “SAD GIRLZ LUV MONEY” among the nominated tracks highlights the growing presence of African and African-diaspora artists in mainstream R&B conversations. Other songs by African artists also appear in the 64-track pool, including works by Tems, Wizkid, Rema, CKay and Tyla.
The broader list features a mix of established R&B hits and records that achieved cultural impact through streaming and social media during the decade.
The Soul Train Awards, organised by BET, are set to air on November 27 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, with simulcasts on several networks. This year marks a return for the awards with an increased emphasis on fan participation. In addition to the greatest songs ranking, fans are voting in two new award categories: R&B/Soul Song of the Year and Spotify’s RNB X International Artist.
For Amaarae and MOLIY, the nomination adds to the long-term recognition of a song that first gained momentum through organic online engagement rather than traditional radio dominance. The track’s themes of independence, self-reliance and financial autonomy have resonated with listeners, contributing to its enduring popularity.
Music industry observers note that such retrospective rankings often serve to affirm songs that shaped listening habits during a specific period. “SAD GIRLZ LUV MONEY” arrived early in the decade and maintained relevance through consistent streaming, remix exposure and cultural references.
Voting remains open until October 16. The final ranking of the top 20 songs will be presented during the red carpet programming before the main awards broadcast. Details on additional nominees and performers for the ceremony are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
The recognition arrives as both artists continue to develop their individual careers. Amaarae has released subsequent albums that expanded her experimental approach, while MOLIY has pursued her own projects following the collaborative success.
Their joint contribution to the 2020 track remains one of the most visible Ghanaian-linked entries in global R&B discussions of the period.
As fans cast votes over the next week and a half, the outcome will determine whether “SAD GIRLZ LUV MONEY” secures a place among the 20 songs selected to represent the decade’s R&B output. For many listeners in Ghana and the diaspora, the nomination itself stands as confirmation of the song’s lasting imprint.
READ ALSO:NPP Russia Branch Calls For Protection Of Opposition
