2026 is shaping up to be one of the more memorable years for Afrobeats in the 2020s, as we’re now midway through the year and have gotten a taste of differing delectable sonic delicacies. Superstars have released highly anticipated projects, budding acts have premiered EPs and niche acts have also seized the day to roll out projects that heralded new eras for them. These are our top 10 projects of the first half of the year.
10. Mafia Busine$$ – Naija House Mafia
The lines continue to blur between the niche house music scene and the mainstream—with popstars like Rema, Fireboy DML and most recently Omah Lay, fusing the genre into their respective brands of Afropop. The community is stronger than ever with the electrifying rave parties and DJ concert sets that champion the genre’s prolification and hoists it flags far and wide.
Afro-House acts seem to be benefiting majorly from this movement and Naija House Mafia is definitely one to watch with their rather accessible brand new project. New to House music and find it a bit extraneous? Don’t you worry too much, the pulse-pounding, exhilarating production channels the Afrobeats classics of old and will get you grooving in no time.
9. ITEM VII – Ema Onigah
In an industry era that prioritizes disruptive marketing antics over the quality of music and unique artistry—artists are forced into shackles of conformity to game the algorithm and get their big break. Ema Onigah however remains disinterested in sounding like anyone else but himself. And on his second EP, he hones and refines his sound even further.
Ema is not just an amazing writer, he’s also a master of rhythm and cadence. There aren’t many artists that can ride a beat like him and he mantains his panache for elevating his production, instead of the usual status quo which is the other way round. He’s so smooth with it, it’s so difficult to classify him as one thing. Is he a rapper? Or a singer? One thing is for sure, he’s Ema Onigah.
8. REAL, Vol. 1 – Wizkid & Asake
The world didn’t come to a stand still, when Wizkid announced in December that he and Asake had a project in the works. It wasn’t because the prospect of both superstars uniting didn’t excite people. If anything, it was the opposite – it was too good to be true and Wizkid of all people isn’t trustworthy when it comes to following up on projects he announced.
Surprisingly though, REAL did arrive in January and consolidated on the dynamic that had worked on two prior songs. Despite being Amapiano fusion, the mainstream sound propagated by Asake—the project felt spiritually more Wizkid due to its midtempo, breezy nature. And it wasn’t so difficult for Asake to adapt since he’s been flirting with those waters for a while now.
7. A Rii Set – Pheelz
Veteran producer turned genre-progressive popstar Pheelz, remains committed to innovating his sound with the release of his new EP. A Rii Set continues his evolution past the soulful strain of R&B that defined his earlier work towards more Afro-centric influences.
On A Rii Set, Pheelz is pulling inspo from far and wide. From Cameroon to Congo and his own legends of old in Nigeria. What’s impressive is that this isn’t nostalgia bait music that’s refurbished to make you long for the older days. It is progressive music that pulls the focal point of the past’s magic and reworks it into something more contemporary for a whole new refreshing experience.
6. Before I Blow – Kidd Carder
No other budding act has had the explosive hit Kidd Carder scored with Big Bum Bum this year. Propped up by a Mavo co-sign, Kidd made it pixel clear he’s here to stay by following up his 2025 sleeper hit, Calculate with a smash that announced him far and wide to casuals and connoisseurs alike.
And in Afrobeats prolific fashion, Kidd capitalized on his new found momentum and released a brand new EP to consolidate his presence in the mainstream. Unfortunately, it went under the radar due to a notable lack of promotion but that doesn’t take anything away from the quality. Kidd is best at crafting melodic pop songs that document the escapades of his sexual relationships with women and he doubles down on that here.
5. HYBRID – Shoday
When Shoday announced his debut album, there wasn’t a plethora of people less excited than this writer in particular because his brand of street pop seemed solely suited to singles only and thrives better in small doses. And while HYBRID is unabashedly Shoday, the album is a solid effort that’s accomplished as a sonic experience and an entertaining listen.
Hats off to Shoday’s team because the talent optimization here is top notch stuff. By recruiting specific talents in guest features and curating a myriad of pulsating beats, the ideal environment was enabled for him to deliver and be his true, unadulterated self that is beloved by the streets and his fans alike.
4. Before The Morning Light – Johnny Drille
Despite experimenting with more mainstream leaning sonic elements and collaborating with stars, Johnny Drille remains committed to grounding his music in the same emotional intimacy that defined his earlier music. His new album flirts with log drums and uptempo pop rhythms but he remains grounded in his artistry and ensures the quiet, soothing moments of the album remains the highlight.
Songs like Mind, Angelina ft. Fireboy DML and Over The Moon ft. Tiwa Savage prove beyond reasonable doubt that Johnny can dabble in Afro-Pop waters without losing his essence, while also bringing his unique soft touch to the music. While his day one fans would be more than satisfied with the rest of the album.
3. M$NEY – Asake
Ever since cementing his status as his generation’s foremost superstar on the home forefront, Asake took a well warranted hiatus from releasing albums in quick succession and teamed up with Wizkid for an EP inspired by his sonic expeditions on his past LPs.
M$NEY was perhaps the most anticipated Asake album in a minute due to the aforementioned reason and now that it’s arrived, it seems to be resonating deeply with people despite retreading familiar sonic territory of old Asake albums with slightly less nuance. If anything, it’s only a stark reminder of the absurd standards Asake has set for himself.
2. The Game Needs Us – BNXN & Sarz
Over the past few years, Sarz has been largely focused on minting a new generation of producers and empowering uprising acts—so his collaborative EP projects have been on somewhat of a backburner until 2026. Although TGNS feels more like a BNXN project with the legendary producer playing by rules set by the artiste, it’s still refreshing to see this dynamic back in play once again.
Over the course of five tracks, Sarz gently crafts beats that cater specifically to BNXN’s whims and automatically demands some of the most impressionable deliveries we’ve gotten from the popstar. And of course, it’s not a Sarz EP if you don’t get something out of the box, as it’s not controversial to say that Back Outside is one of the more distinct hit songs out of the country in years.
1. Clarity Of Mind – Omah Lay
The wait for Omah Lay’s sophomore album felt excruciatingly longer than it was because of the prodigious accomplishment his debut album was. Omah Lay also teased the album for years on end and went as far as declaring it to be the greatest album Africa and Afrobeats would ever witness.
Months after its release and it remains to be seen, if he delivered on his promise but there’s no disputing the fact that Clarity Of Mind remains the best album 2026 has produced so far. Sure the topics seem rehashed from Boy Alone and Omah seems to have relapsed, as he’s not interested in healing anymore—however the pathos is more effulgent and the frequencies are way more exhilarating.
