Welcome once again to a new year and with the new year, comes brand new albums that are set to redefine the sonic soundscape and set into motion, the next phase of Afrobeats music and pop culture.
2024 was a definitely a memorable year and for the first time in over a decade, we saw the hold of the big 3 on the industry diminish and their powers dwindle—as the new cats not only dominate the conversation, but were also the frontrunners in steering the music in the innovative sonic paths and soundscapes they were treading. Or so we thought, until the Big 3 popped up in the last few weeks of the year, only to demolish old records and set new trailblazing ones. Now we have our eyes set on the present and it’s crucial to highlight the albums that we’re highly anticipating the most.
1. Davido – 5IVE
The long-awaited follow up to 2023’s Timeless is finally here and would be arriving in March, like its predecessor. From what we can glean from the released singles, Awuke ft. YG Marley and Funds ft. ODUMODUBLVCK & Chike, it’s likely going to be another album that thrives on the synergy of Davido and a well curated feature list of guest artists.
One of the reasons Timeless worked wasn’t solely because OBO made the most cohesive, focused music in his decade long career but the fact that the variance of dynamism on the album from different artists, ensured sufficient depth and enjoyment, as they all brought distinct, but game changing elements to elevate the body of work, as a whole. The aforementioned singles released so far also have a subtle highlife fusion thing going on, so it wouldn’t be outlandish to postulate that the overarching sonic environment for the project would be just that.
2. Burna Boy – No Signs Of Weakness
Burna Boy is gearing up for an historic stadium tour this year, that has stops at Stade De France, Coop Arena, Waldbühne and Sparkassenpark. The tour kicks off in April and wraps up in July. As it is standard practice for artists on the verge of embarking on tours, Burna might release his album before the tour kicks off so he’ll have new music to perform for the fans.
As for the music and the direction Odogwu could take, there still remains a fog of mystery draped around it. Although if his latest single, Bundle By Bundle is anything to go by—then we’re getting an album that is heavy on percussion and bounce, ladened with energetic, melodic rap deliveries from Burna in soundscapes that is more lamba-adjacent, than Burna’s last two projects that were built on the backbone of Hip-Hop and R&B fusion.
3. Omah Lay – Clarity Of Mind
Omay Lay’s sophomore album is definitely long overdue, as its now approaching three years since the release of his classic debut, Boy Alone. The new generation popstar has gargantuan expectations to meet, since the reception of his previous project was exceptional and fans wouldn’t expect anything less. Asides that, the overwhelmingly positive acclaim for his entire discography, as a result of his unique artistry rooted in his personal experiences, character flaws and demons—ensures that his music is a solace and even a form of therapy for many.
The term ‘Afro-Depression’ was comically coined on Twitter/X to aptly describe the thematic direction of his projects, and while his music is so much more nuanced and layered than facetious sad music, the inherent sadness of it is probably its biggest selling point. Omah has hinted that he’s happier now and this album would depict his current state of mind, which is a consistent sentiment that his last 2 singles—Holy Ghost and Moving have maintained. It remains to be seen if fans will accept this side of him though. Clarity Of Mind will most likely arrive in Q2/Q3, like his previous projects.
4. Kizz Daniel – Uncle K
Kizz Daniel was originally supposed to release his 10-track fifth studio album, Uncle K on the 22nd of November, with guest appearances from Phyno, Victony, Runtown and Qing Madi. However, he would postpone and cite personal reasons of mourning a loss for not proceeding with the release, despite a faction of Wizkid FC vociferously maintaining the stance that the popstar postponed his release to avoid competiting directly with Wizkid’s sixth studio LP, Morayo.
The album is now expected to arrive in 2025 with a time frame, yet to be announced. No singles off the project has been released, as the tracklist showcases brand new songs only, thus gauging the sonic direction Vado would be taking is tricky. But lately, he has been in his experimental bag, drawing muse from indigenous roots and regional sounds from across the country. So it’s not farfetched to expect we would see more experimentation towing that same line.
5. Qing Madi – I Am The Blueprint
Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma launched into the consciousness of the mainstream with the BNXN-assisted, Ole and since then has remained a force to be reckoned with, refusing to relinquish her momentum in the mainstream. She might not have scored another smash hit since Ole, but her prolific work ethic and her feature catalogue—aided by the brilliance of her music that’s built on the fundamentals of pristine, evocative vocals and heartfelt writing—ensures she’s always on the lips of everyone.
Her latest single, Goosebumps is a glimpse of what’s to come on her debut album and once again is an exhibition of Madi’s greatest strengths. On the swing fusion beat, she waxes poetic about the potency of her lover’s prowess on her and how she is delirious about losing herself in it. The album is expected to arrive in January.
6. Joeboy – Viva La Vida
If there is a discourse aimed at spotlighting artists with underappreciated discographies, then Joeboy’s name has to come up. With a catalogue that houses two great albums like Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic and Body & Soul, it’s always a mystifying wonder as to how he doesn’t have more reverence affiliated with his name and much more commercial success attached to both records.
It’s been two years since his sophomore and he’s now primed to release his third studio album in five years, which attests to his great work ethic and outstanding consistency. As regards the direction, it’s hard to speculate since the popstar released quite the handful of singles in 2024 with varying sonic templates and topical choices. However, he isn’t the self-proclaimed king of romance for nothing, so you can expect that you’ll once again be served with emotive love songs that would make you yearn for days.
7. Tiwa Savage’s Fourth Album
Very recently, the Queen of Afropop revealed on social media that her upcoming fourth studio album would most likely be her last. The statement triggered discourse online about her legacy and impact over the years, which inadvertently has built reasonable momentum for the upcoming album.
No one knows if Tiwa is actually going to stand on business and retire after this last album, as she won’t be the first or last artist to not retire, after hinting at it. It was only two years ago, when Olamide said Unruly was his last album only for him to surprise drop Ikigai a year after. Her most recent single, Mega Money Mega produced by Sarz, is an up-tempo Afropop song that incorporates elements from the Amapiano fusion sound that’s been the dominant pop sound for the past three years. However, the album could also follow an R&B direction as Tiwa herself said in an interview two years back, that her next album would be R&B-centric.
8. Lojay’s Debut Album
Per his own tweets, Lojay’s debut album was initially slated for release in 2024 but due to reasons best known to him and his team, the album was postponed till 2025. Nonetheless, he had a busy 2024—releasing a collaborative EP with JAE5 and featuring on Fireboy DML’s Letting Go, Sarz’s Billions and Steel Banglez’s Mohobbat.
In October, he released a two-track pack that is perhaps a sign of things to come. Both records are almost polar opposites by sonic structure and topical content, but they’re both rooted in the fundamentals of Lojay’s artistry. On one hand, you have the sentimental love record in Falling where Lojay is of course, swooning about the fact that he’s falling for his love interest and on Unleash, he sings about the lifestyle, its sensual pleasures, as well as the shenanigans stars like himself have to live with. But it’s the treacherous nature of his tone and ingenious writing that once again shines through.
9. Blaqbonez’s Fourth Album
Blaqbonez is one of the surest bets when it comes to the art of consistent, great album releases. Not only has he mastered the art of curating an album that’s not only a cohesive sonic experience and thematic one, he also takes characterization and execution through said character lens to a whole new level, so an album from him is always a delight to unpack.
His latest release is a three-track pack, that showcases three differing sides of his artistry in the varying colors of blue, orange and red and so it’s difficult to ascertain what exactly this album would entail. But if his track record is anything to go by then it’s sure we’re going to get another album that’s an immersive experience and also multi-layered in narrative.
10. A-Q – God’s Engineering 3
If there is an Emcee that’s been at the pinnacle of releasing albums, that are unapologetically hip-hop in its crux and very technical by its manner of concept and execution in nature of bars and lyricism—then it’s A-Q with his God’s Engineering series. It’s difficult to find another rap series or series in general, that’s as critically acclaimed as this one.
A-Q revealed on social media that the third installment is the final chapter and would arrive in a time frame, between May and June. The first entry won the ‘Best Rap Album’ category at the 14th Headies Awards in 2021 and so A-Q has his work cut out for him in closing the curtains on a high, unprecedented note that the prior albums have operated on. It would be interesting to see where the rapper goes next when this series finally ends.
