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

1. Qing Madi - I am the blueprint 
2. Falz - The Feast
3. CKay - CKay the second
4. Magixx - I Dream in Color

The post The 10 best Afrobeats albums of 2025 so far appeared first on NotjustOk.

The GRAMMY Awards are getting a refresh in 2026, with the Recording Academy introducing two brand new categories: Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover. This exciting update reflects the ever-evolving musical landscape and aims to honour a broader spectrum of creative talent.

These additions also bring fresh excitement for fans and creators alike. Whether you’re a country enthusiast or a vinyl lover drawn to striking visuals, the new categories invite a broader audience to see themselves reflected on music’s biggest stage.

“Whether you’re a country fan or a vinyl collector who loves stunning album covers, there’s a new GRAMMY category with your name on it,” the Recording Academy teased.

Speaking to GRAMMY.com, CEO Harvey Mason jr. explained the motivation behind the changes: “Each year during our Awards & Nominations review, our focus is on refining our rules, uncovering anything that is no longer working, and ensuring we are celebrating our creative community in the most meaningful way,” he said.

“I’m thrilled that many of this year’s changes … allow us to honour even more creators. That’s always a positive outcome for me. But even more importantly, these are much-needed updates that ensure those who are making significant contributions to the musical process are properly recognised and have the opportunity to be celebrated on Music’s Biggest Night.”

One of the most notable additions is Best Album Cover, a category that acknowledges the power of visual storytelling in today’s digital-first world. “In today’s digital world, album covers are arguably more impactful than ever,” Mason jr. continued.

“Their cultural significance is undeniable. That’s one of the reasons members of the art director community and our Awards & Nominations members felt [the Best Album Cover] category was necessary. The Packaging Field has always thrived, but we expect this to be one of our most inclusive categories to date.”

The country genre is also receiving a more nuanced platform. The existing Best Country Album category will now be renamed Best Contemporary Country Album, making room for the newly established Best Traditional Country Album. This shift acknowledges the genre’s ongoing evolution and also the resurgence of its roots.

“Country music has evolved in a major way over the past decade, with traditional country experiencing a massive resurgence, growing in popularity and volume,” Mason jr. said. “This action by our members now opens the door for us to celebrate more artists and a wider range of music. By adding this new Category and renaming the Country Album Category, we’re creating more space for all the diverse artists who are shaping the future of country music.”

These changes come on the heels of a landmark 2025 GRAMMYs ceremony. Kendrick Lamar took home five awards, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year for “Not Like Us.” Meanwhile, Tems took home award (her second Grammy win) for Best African Music Performance for her hit “Love Me JeJe,” and Beyoncé made history with her long-awaited Album of the Year win for “Cowboy Carter,” which she dedicated to trailblazing country artist Linda Martell.

The 2026 GRAMMYs will take place on Sunday, February 1 in Los Angeles, with nominations set to be announced on Friday, November 7, 2025.

The post Big Changes Ahead! The GRAMMYs Introduce Best Album Cover & Traditional Country Categories for 2026 appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Nigerian singer and songwriter Damini Ogulu, best known as Burna Boy, has become the only artist to top NotJustOk's Afrobeats Power Ranking twice in 2025 so far.

The African Giant—renowned for his resilience, pizza-like Afro-fusion, protest music, and commanding social presence—takes the lead in May 2025, displacing Davido, who claimed the top spot for the first time after the chart launched in January 2025.

Burna Boy collaborated with Travis Scott to release Tatata on May 21, 2025. The new single, which is part of his upcoming album No Sign of Weakness, amassed over 15 million streams on Spotify at the time of this report. Combined with his strong global catalogue performance throughout May 2025 and other factors highlighted by NotJustOk, Burna Boy surged back to the top of the chart. Produced by Chillz Chilleaux and Onome Ojoboh, Tatata is a playful tune filled with infectious bop and lamba.

Burna Boy first topped the chart in March 2025, followed closely by Davido and Rema, respectively.

KEY LINKS

• The Afrobeats Power Ranking Page
• Here's how the Afrobeats Power Ranking is compiled by Notjustok
• Notjustok announces Afrobeats Power Ranking

Get updates as they drop via Twitter and Facebook

The post Afrobeats Power Ranking: Burna Boy reclaims No. 1 spot for the second time in 2025 appeared first on NotjustOk.