2024 promises to be a monumental year in Afrobeats and African music, with debut albums from Tems and Tyla generating palpable excitement. As we eagerly await more details on these releases, let’s take a sneak peek at other highly anticipated albums expected to drop this year.
1. Tyla
Fresh from becoming the youngest African act to win a Grammy, Tyla is primed for global acclaim. Save the date: March 22nd marks the release of her self-titled debut album, teased since last year. Featuring the viral hit “Water” and tracks like “Truth Or Dare,” “On and On,” and “Butterflies,” Tyla isn’t just making waves; she’s creating a tsunami!
2. Tems
With a stellar lineup of EPs under her belt—think “For Broken Ears” (2020) and “If Orange Was Place” (2021) —plus a Grammy nod for her work on Future’s “Wait For U”, Tems is now primed to drop her debut LP. Wrapping up 2023 with album precursor singles “Me & U” and “Not An Angel”, the long album drought looks to be over soon. And if her recent interview in Billboard’s 2024 Women In Music Breakthrough Issue is anything to go by, Tems’ debut album is a certified lock for release this year—she’s not just hinting at it, she’s shouting it from the rooftops!
3. Burna Boy
In his rollout interviews for last year’s critically acclaimed “I Told Them”, Burna Boy hinted at a two-part album, with the sequel slated for a later date. At Unorthodox Reviews, we’re eagerly counting down the days until the release, and signs point to it being this year. While the exact release date remains shrouded in mystery, our bets are on the third quarter—consistent with Burna’s album drops since 2019. This isn’t Burna’s first rodeo with consecutive releases; remember “Outside”, “African Giant”, and “Twice As Tall”? Buckle up, Burna’s about to take us on another epic musical journey!
4. Fireboy DML
Fireboy DML has already etched his name in the annals of Afrobeats as one of the few new-gen artists to drop instant classic albums. He pulled off the unprecedented feat of releasing two certified classics within just 8 months of his introduction on the scene. Despite the mixed reviews for his third studio album, “Playboy”, it spawned multiple chart-toppers and remains one of the most streamed Afrobeats albums ever—talk about setting the bar high! Having recently dropped a 2-track pack (“Outside” and “Obaasima”), brace yourselves for the fourth installment of Fireboy’s album magic!
5. Ayra Starr
Following a string of chart-topping singles like “Sability,” “Rhythm & Blues,” and the Grammy-nominated “Rush,” Ayra Starr is preparing to light up the music scene with her sophomore album. Building on the success of her debut, “19 & Dangerous,” the Afro-pop sensation gives a playful hint about her latest masterpiece during a chat with The Grape Juice at the Grammy Awards. “I’ve evolved, I’m 21 now,” she quips with her trademark charm. With the tantalizing teaser track “Commas,” Ayra Starr has fans eagerly awaiting her upcoming full-length project.
6. Omah Lay
Omah Lay is on a mission to reshape the future of Afrobeats, and he’s flaunting his new sonic manifesto in his upcoming sophomore album. In an exclusive chat with Beat FM on January 17, 2024, the award-winning singer declared a bold departure from the usual Afrobeats vibe. Omah Lay confidently positioned himself at the forefront of this sonic revolution, teasing us with a taste of the freshness in his latest banger, “Holy Ghost”.
7. Oxlade
Nigerian singer-songwriter Oxlade is making it clear: 2024 is all about dropping his debut album. After a stellar 2022 fueled by the smash hit “Ku Lo Sa”, he kept the momentum going with singles like “Katigori” and “Piano”. Now, with a not-so-subtle nod on his official X handle, the album speculation is practically a done deal. When a fan popped the question about a 2024 album, Oxlade’s response was as clear: “My only priority right now, to be very honest.”
8. Lojay
Lojay’s meteoric rise to fame kicked off with the electrifying track “Monalsia” from his collaboration with super-producer Sarz on the “LV NATTN” project. The journey only accelerated with the remix of “Monalisa” featuring none other than Chris Brown, followed by his sophomore EP, “Gangster Romantic,” in early 2023. Lojay further cemented his place in the spotlight by collaborating with Chris Brown again on the track “Sensational,” alongside Davido, later that year. Starting 2024 with another EP drop alongside UK-based producer Jae5, the stage is set for Lojay’s debut full-length album.
9. Victony
Victony’s album has been the ultimate tease, but hey, good things come to those who wait, right? Surviving a ghastly accident in 2021, Victony’s musical journey has been a rollercoaster of epic proportions. His journey back into the spotlight began with stealing the show on Mayorkun’s hit track “Holy Father”, to making an unforgettable cameo on Burna Boy’s “Love Damini” album. With tunes like “My Darling,” “Angelus,” and “Ohema” in 2023, and now the swoon-worthy “Everything” this year, Victony’s got us wrapped around his finger. But let’s cut to the chase – where’s that full-length masterpiece, Victony?
10. Young Jonn
Establishing himself as “the wicked producer” in the mid-2000s, Young Jonn has been a force in the Afrobeats scene, crafting hits for stars like Olamide, Naira Marley, and Lil Kesh. Transitioning into a recording artist in 2022, he’s tightened his grip, consistently delivering hits under the Chocolate City imprint. Tracks like “Dada,” “Extra Cool,” and “Sharpally” have kept the party alive. These bangers offer just a glimpse of what’s to come on his debut album, “Jiggy Forever,” as confirmed in an October 2023 tweet.
Before we conclude our list of the 10 most anticipated albums of 2024, let’s highlight some other releases poised to make a splash. Look out for Peruzzi’s “Sabali,” a collaboration album from Show Dem Camp and Cavemen, and the debut albums from Mavins Records’ Boy Spyce and Magixx. Also, keep an eye out for projects from Chike, Maleek Berry, and the deluxe edition of Davido’s “Timeless.” With such a diverse lineup of projects on the horizon, 2024 is shaping up to be an exhilarating year for music enthusiasts worldwide.
