Afrobeats is now, more than ever, a globally recognised music genre.
While alté, amapiano, fuji, highlife, and other genres are still striving for their moment at the top—and artists continue to resist being categorised under Afrobeats—the genre keeps expanding its wings.
In 2025, African artists have achieved major streaming milestones, released outstanding singles and albums, toured the world, and delivered energetic performances at exciting venues like Coachella and beyond. Although it has become more difficult for new artists to break through, acts like Kunmie, Kojo Blak, and Jux have significantly grown their audiences this year.
In this piece, we spotlight ten of the most outstanding Afrobeats albums released so far in 2025. These selections are proof that Africa’s music scene is vast and immensely talented, even in a year when some of the biggest stars have released fewer songs than usual. The list features debut albums from emerging artists and long-awaited comebacks from musicians who have been highly anticipated in the 2025 African music scene.
10. Kunmie – Before We Became Strangers
Oluwabukunmi Ariyibi Peter, best known as Kunmie, is one of the breakout stars of 2025. His debut single, Arike, released on February 15, 2025, was produced by The Kazez. It served as the introduction to a moment that shook the industry. Kunmie followed up with Majẹkajá on February 28, 2025, just days after making his bold entry.
The success of these singles led to the release of his 4-track debut project Before We Became Strangers, entirely produced by The Kazez. The project is soulful, melodious, and unique. Before We Became Strangers dropped amidst an amapiano wave in Nigeria, where almost everyone was jumping on the South African genre. Kunmie chose to walk a different path, resulting in a solid debut that peaked at No. 2 on the Turntable Charts, with just four tracks.
9. Joeyboy – Viva Lavida
Released on March 27, 2025, Joeboy’s Viva Lavida is a 13-track album featuring collaborations with Tempoe, Elana Dara, Qing Madi, Olamide, and Wizard Chan. While the project is solid, it may not be Joeboy’s strongest body of work, yet this only highlights the depth of his talent rather than diminishing the album’s value.
Viva Lavida is a beautiful collection, with standout tracks like Taxi Driver, Adenuga featuring Qing Madi, and Osadebe. As expected, the melodies are top-tier, and the sound is both African and sensual. Without a doubt, it ranks among the best Afrobeats projects released in 2025.
8. Jux – A Day to Remember EP
Following his luxurious multi-day wedding with Nigerian actress Priscilla Ojo, Tanzanian singer Jux—also known as Juma Jux—released an extended play to immortalise the experience. The only thing questionable about the project might be the title. While the A Day to Remember EP was inspired by an event that lasted several days, one can’t help but wonder about the name choice.
The 7-track project, released on March 23, 2025, features appearances from D Voice and Phyno, blending amapiano, Afrobeats, Bongo Flava, and more. Songs like My Shayla, God Design, and Si Mimi resonated with listeners across the continent and beyond. A Day to Remember is, without a doubt, one of the standout albums of 2025.
7. Zinoleesky – Gen Z!
Zinoleesky, the Nigerian street-pop sensation, dropped his sophomore album Gen Z! on April 25, 2025, cementing his status as a voice for the youth. The 16-track project, released under Marlian Music, features collaborations with Ms Banks and Toosii, showcasing his versatility. Standout tracks like 2Baba Flex and Suit & Tie blend rich production with Zinoleesky’s signature wit and vibrant energy, earning widespread acclaim. Gen Z! peaked at No. 1 on Apple Music Nigeria’s Top Albums chart, a testament to its resonance with fans.
Despite not yet achieving the global crossover success of peers like Asake, Gen Z! proves Zinoleesky’s knack for crafting infectious melodies and relatable lyrics. The album’s fusion of Afrobeats, hip-hop, and amapiano influences makes it a dynamic listen, with tracks like Ayamase highlighting his collaborative prowess.
6. Kojo Blak – 131 EP
McDonald Adotey Braide, best known as Kojo Blak, is an emerging Ghanaian talent who made waves with his 131 EP, released on March 28, 2025. The 9-track project, infused with alté and Afrobeats vibes, features contributions from Kelvyn Boy, Joshua Baraka, and Sarkodie. Tracks such as Excellent, and Next Door, stand out for their introspective lyrics and smooth, genre-bending production, earning the EP widespread acclaim across Ghana and beyond.
The 131 EP captures Kojo Blak’s unique ability to merge soulful melodies with contemporary Afrobeats rhythms, creating a sound that feels both fresh and nostalgic. While relatively new to the scene, Kojo Blak’s confident delivery and cohesive vision on this project have positioned him as a rising star to watch in 2025’s competitive Afrobeats landscape.
5. Olamide – Olamidé
Olamide, the Nigerian music titan, returned with his self-titled album Olamidé on June 19, 2025, a 17-track masterpiece that reaffirms his influence in Afrobeats and street-pop. Featuring heavyweights like Asake, Wizkid, Dr. Dre, Popcaan, Young Jonn, and Seyi Vibez, the album blends fuji, amapiano, hip-hop, and dancehall, with tracks like 99 dominating airwaves. The project soared to No. 1 on Apple Music Nigeria’s Top Albums chart, showcasing Olamide’s enduring relevance.
Olamidé is a celebration of African sounds, with vibrant production that makes it a global contender. Tracks like Billionaires Club highlight Olamide’s ability to evolve while staying true to his roots, delivering anthems that resonate from Lagos to the U.S. This album solidifies his legacy as a pioneer in 2025’s Afrobeats scene.
4. Black Sherif – Iron Boy
Ghanaian star Black Sherif dropped his highly anticipated album Iron Boy on April 3, 2025, a 15-track project that fuses Afrobeats, highlife, and hip-hop influences. Featuring collaborations with Fireboy DML and Seyi Vibez, standout tracks like So it Goes and The Victory Song showcase his raw emotional delivery and storytelling prowess. The album achieved significant success, peaking at No. 5 on Nigeria’s TurnTable Top 100 Albums chart and becoming the first Ghanaian release to spend two weeks on Apple Music’s US Top 50 chart, cementing Black Sherif’s global appeal.
Iron Boy is a bold exploration of resilience and identity, with Black Sherif’s genre-blending approach earning praise for its authenticity. Tracks like One and Soma Obi resonate with fans for their introspective lyrics and infectious rhythms, making this album one of the most impactful Afrobeats releases of 2025, bridging Ghanaian and Nigerian sounds.
3. Seyi Vibez – Children of Africa EP
Seyi Vibez, the Nigerian street-pop maestro, released his Children of Africa EP on February 21, 2025, a 4-track project that celebrates African unity and heritage. Featuring NLE Choppa, tracks like Shaolin and Macho blend house music influences with Seyi’s signature Fuji-inspired vocals. The EP reached No. 1 on Nigeria’s Apple Music Albums Chart, driven by the standout track Shaolin.
Inspired by his love for Africa’s shared ancestry, Children of Africa EP is both a cultural statement and a musical triumph. Seyi Vibez’s ability to weave spiritual undertones with high-energy production makes this project a standout, showcasing his knack for vibrant, culturally rich anthems that resonate in 2025’s Afrobeats scene.
2. Kizz Daniel – Uncle K: Lemon & Chase
Kizz Daniel’s Uncle K: Lemon Chase, released on May 30, 2025, is a 7-track EP that reaffirms his status as an Afrobeats hitmaker. With features from ODUMODUBLVCK, Bella Shmurda, Zlatan, and others, tracks like Al-Jannah and Black Girl Magic blend rich Afrobeats rhythms with Kizz’s smooth delivery, peaking at No. 1 on Apple Music Nigeria’s Top Albums chart. The EP’s refreshing sound cements his place in the genre’s elite.
Uncle K: Lemon Chase is a vibrant showcase of Kizz Daniel’s versatility, balancing romantic anthems like Titi with soulful tracks like Al-Jannah. Its seamless fusion of Afrobeats with top-tier production, involving collaborators like RewardBeatz and BlaiseBeatz, makes it one of 2025’s most replayable projects, resonating across global playlists.
1. Davido – 5ive
Davido’s fifth studio album, 5ive, released on April 18, 2025, is a 17-track triumph that showcases his global influence. Featuring Chris Brown, Victoria Monét, YG Marley, and others, tracks like Awuke, Funds, Be There Still, and Offa Me blend Afrobeats with amapiano and R&B, achieving strong chart performance, including No. 1 on Nigeria’s Apple Music charts.
5ive is a testament to Davido’s global influence, with love-soaked anthems like Offa Me showcasing his emotive storytelling. Its high-energy production and cross-continental collaborations make it a landmark release, solidifying Davido’s dominance in 2025’s Afrobeats landscape and earning widespread critical acclaim.
Worthy Mention
Qing Madi – I am the blueprint Falz – The FeastCKay – CKay the secondMagixx – I Dream in Color
