Diamond Baby
The debut EP Diamond Baby, led by the viral “Goodboy (Kweku)”. It passed 10M+ streams, made her Apple Music’s Africa Rising cover star, earned an Ebro Darden interview on Apple Music 1 and an On The Radar freestyle, and named her one of Spotify’s Artists to Watch 2026.
- Artist
- Mellissa
- Year
- 2026
- Location
- Accra / London / New York
The release
Mellissa’s debut EP Diamond Baby came out on 1 May 2026. It’s a seven-track project featuring Stonebwoy, Joey B, MOLIY, Blaqbonez and Amaeya, with production from Michael Brun on “Genie Baby”.
The record that broke through
“Goodboy (Kweku)” featuring Joey B and MOLIY became the viral moment that drove her breakout. It was released in November 2025, after a series of engaging short-form content on her socials.
The wins
- 10M+ streams across the Diamond Baby EP
- Apple Music Africa Rising cover star (May 2026). The feature also included an Africa Now Radio appearance with Nandi Madida.
- Interview with Ebro Darden on Apple Music 1, recorded in New York
- On The Radar freestyle, on the New York platform that has hosted Drake and Central Cee
- Spotify Artists to Watch 2026, January 2026
- Audiomack New York Playback
- BBC Radio interview with Eddie Kadi
- Capital XTRA interview
The build
This didn’t happen overnight. She was named Apple Music’s Up Next artist for Ghana, then joined the Africa Rising Class of ’24 alongside Tyla and Odumodublvck. Becoming the 2026 cover star brought that relationship full circle.
Campaign
Apple Music, Africa Rising cover 
Apple Music: Ebro Darden interview and Africa Rising spotlight 
Apple Music, Africa Now cover 
Apple Music, Africa Rising 
Pandora, Soul & Ginger cover
Impact
10M+
Streams across the Diamond Baby EP
Cover star
Apple Music Africa Rising, May 2026
2026
Spotify Artists to Watch
Partners: Apple Music / Spotify / Audiomack