Teenage rapper Chicago has become one of the most talked-about new artists in Ghana’s Upper East Region after her Frafra-language single “Hum Paare” gained momentum online.
The song, listed on streaming platforms as “Hu Mpaare”, features fellow Upper East rapper Soorebia and was produced by Bolgatanga-based Fasetwo. It was released on 23 October and has since spread across TikTok, Facebook and Instagram through reels, reposts and fan-made versions.
Chicago’s TikTok account had 334,700 followers and 4.6 million likes when it was checked on Wednesday. Its bio states “Hum paree is out”. On Instagram, where she uses the handle @_saintchicago_, she has posted a series of #humpaare reels since late October, including daily posts during the past week.
The northern culture site Atigsi reported that the song’s reach extends beyond Frafra-speaking audiences, with listeners who do not speak the language also singing along to its hook. Citing music publication GhanaSongs, it added that “Hu Mpaare” entered the Shazam Ghana top 20 in early November.
Atigsi said fans have begun referring to Chicago’s combination of Frafra rap and amapiano as “Frafrapiano”. Soorebia, described by the outlet as one of the Upper East’s most respected Frafra rappers, has also helped maintain interest in the track by sharing clips of his verse alongside the message: “Keep streaming #Humpaare”.
The song’s online growth follows a pattern seen with other Ghanaian hits. Moliy’s “Shake It To The Max” also gained widespread attention through short-form video clips, with the artist saying its popularity developed without a paid dance challenge.
Chicago’s growing catalogue
Chicago, who also records under the name Saint Chicago, had established a presence before the release of “Hum Paare”. Her earlier singles include “Grace”, “Mama” and “Shame”, the latter featuring Atimbila.
In 2025, she released the amapiano track “Mambala”, which featured Fasetwo and Osjeez. Her YouTube channel also includes videos for “Mambala” and “Big Mood”, a collaboration with Kilimore.
Her earlier breakthrough came with “Ba Na Zoe”, which won Most Popular Song of the Year at the 2024 Happy Man Bitters Upper East Music Awards. Chicago also received a GH¢2,000 prize, while Fasetwo won the Overall Artiste of the Year award at the same ceremony, according to Africa Publicity.
In April 2025, Chicago performed at Gingsen’s One Night With Greatness show at the Jocom Golden Hotel in Bolgatanga. The event also featured Soorebia and about 17 other Upper East acts.
“Hum Paare” continues to build its audience through a steady stream of social media reels.
