We present the best Afrobeats albums of 2024, spanning the Afrobeats calendar year from November 2023 to October 2024.
Building on the remarkable success of 2023, Afrobeats continued its upward trajectory in 2024. This growth was driven by increased streaming numbers, sold-out concerts, viral TikTok challenges, and other innovative platforms. Global award organizations have taken notice, introducing new categories specifically dedicated to the Afrobeats genre.
2024 has been a year of unprecedented achievements for Nigerian and African artists, with their successes from 2023 being amplified—often doubled or even tripled. Below, the team at NotJustOK has curated a list of the top 20 Afrobeats releases of 2024.
This selection is from albums released between November 1, 2023, to October 31, 2024. It features a harmonious blend of full-length albums and standout shorter projects, showcasing the vibrant diversity and creativity within the Afrobeats scene.
20. Maffian
Artist – Ayo Maff
Country – Nigeria
Label – AYO MAFF
Date of Release – August 15, 2024
Ayo Maff’s Maffian, a seven-track EP released in August 2024, highlights his journey as a rising Nigerian artist. Featuring tracks like A Beautiful Song and 7 Lives, it blends emotional storytelling with themes of growth and self-belief. Following the success of his hit single Dealer with Fireboy DML, the project is a tribute to his supportive fans.
19. Son of Chike
Artist – Chike
Country – Nigeria
Label – Brothers Records
Date of Release – July 19, 2024
Chike’s Son of Chike is a thoughtfully crafted 12-track album that showcases his evolution as an artist while staying rooted in his heritage. The album blends smooth R&B vocals with elements of traditional highlife, celebrating his eastern Nigerian roots. Featuring collaborations with Olamide, LADIPOE, Qing Madi, Amaeya, and the late Mohbad, the album is rich in diverse sounds. Standout tracks include Unto You, where LADIPOE brings soulful depth, the chart-topping Egwu energized by Mohbad, and One Day, a motivational anthem with Olamide and Amaeya. Son of Chike is both a tribute to his ancestry and a reflection of his growth in a changing world.
18. By Any Minz
Artist – Minz
Country – Nigeria
Label – Never Stop Elevating/ Empawa
Date of Release – October 4, 2024
Minz’s debut album, By Any Minz, is a cohesive and well-rounded project exploring themes of love, life’s journey, and everyday struggles. While its production—helmed by talents like 255 and Mike BGRZ—is enjoyable, richer live instrumentation could have enhanced its soul-inspired Afropop sound. The album reflects Minz’s growth as an artist, showcasing the patience, consistency, and sacrifices that have defined his journey while staying true to his distinctive style.
17. OFA (Oxlade From Africa)
Artiste – Oxlade
Country – Nigeria
Label – Troniq Inc/ Epic Records
Date of Release – September 20, 2024
Oxlade’s debut album, OFA (Oxlade From Africa), is a 16-track showcase of his versatility. It features collaborations with stars like Flavour, Wande Coal, Sarkodie, Fally Ipupa, Dave, and Popcaan. With infectious rhythms and well-crafted lyrics, OFA solidifies Oxlade’s position as a leading voice in Nigerian music and is a testament to his immense talent.
16. Loseyi Professor
Artiste – Seyi Vibez
Country – Nigeria
Label – Vibez Inc/ Dvpper
Date of Release – July 12, 2024
Seyi Vibez’s Loseyi Professor is a solo EP showcasing his artistic journey and global aspirations through tracks like Lagos, Casablanca, and Albert Einstein. With no features, the project highlights his evolving artistry and solidifies his status as a rising force in Nigerian music.
15. In Nasboi I Trust
Artiste – Nasboi
Country – Nigeria
Label – Eminent Transglobal Sounds Records Limited
Date of Release – September 19, 2024
Nasboi’s debut EP, I.N.I.T (In Nasboi I Trust), blends Afrobeat with humour and storytelling. Featuring collaborations with Chike, 2Baba, Falz, and Joeboy, the 6-track project explores themes of love, self-expression, and life’s joys. Songs like Ajo and Could This Be Love focus on romance, while Small Money and Short Skirt celebrate simplicity. Balancing playful and introspective tracks, the EP marks Nasboi’s transition from comedy to music, highlighting his artistic growth.
14. Lost and Found
Artiste – Simi
Country – Nigeria
Label – Studio Brat LLC
Date of Release – July 5, 2024
Simi’s Lost and Found is a 14-track album blending Afrobeats with soulful melodies and contemporary influences. Featuring collaborations with legends like Ebenezer Obey and Asa, as well as Afrobeats stars such as Falz, Tiwa Savage, and Bella Shmurda, the album delivers a diverse and unique listening experience. Personal and emotional, Lost and Found reflects Simi’s vulnerabilities, triumphs, and relationships, resonating deeply with fans and marking a significant evolution in her artistry.
13. Vibez Incorporation Mixtape Vol.1
Artiste – Vibez Inc.
Country – Nigeria
Label – Vibez Inc / Dvpper Digital
Date of Release – May 10, 2024
Seyi Vibez’s Vibez Incorporated Vol. 1 is a dynamic mixtape that combines Afrobeat, trap, and rap influences, highlighting his versatility. The project features collaborations with Tml Vibez, Stonebwoy, Balloranking, Bloody Civilian, Muyeez, Tion Wayne, and DwillsHarmony, with themes of perseverance and self-belief. Released in parts leading up to its full launch, the mixtape includes references to iconic imagery, such as the XXL Freshman Class cover, while showcasing Vibez Inc.’s evolving sound and collective artistic vision.
12. African Royalty
Artiste – Flavour
Country – Nigeria
Label – 2Nite Music Group
Date of Release – November 30, 2023
Flavour’s African Royalty album lives up to its title, showcasing his majestic aura throughout. With twelve tracks, the album highlights Flavour’s seamless navigation of diverse musical styles while celebrating the richness and resilience of African culture. The project maintains thematic cohesion, paying tribute to African majesty and Flavour’s unique sound.
11. Full Time Job
Artiste – Phyno
Country – Nigeria
Label – Penthauze/ MAD Solutions LLC
Date of Release – October 4, 2024
Full Time Job album is cohesive, culturally rich, and effortlessly blends traditional rhythms with broader appeal. Phyno’s seamless delivery in both rapping and singing keeps listeners engaged, showcasing his mastery and dedication to his craft, even during breaks in his career.
10. Ikigai
Artiste – Olamide
Country – Nigeria
Label – YBNL /EMPIRE
Date of Release – July 26, 2024
Nigerian music icon Olamide has surprised fans with Ikigai / 生き甲斐, Vol. 1, a seven-track EP inspired by the Japanese concept of finding one’s “reason for living.” The project showcases Olamide’s evolution as an artist and businessman, blending Afrobeats, rap, and soulful melodies in a display of versatility. With themes of self-discovery and purpose, the EP hints at the possibility of a larger, multi-volume series.
9. RnB
Country – Nigeria
Label – Blown Boy Ent./ T.Y.E /EMPIRE
Date of Release – April 17, 2024
Former rivals Ruger and Bnxn have joined forces on their new joint EP, RnB. Cleverly named after their initials, the seven-track project blends Ruger’s sharp lyricism with Bnxn’s soulful vocals, highlighting their unique styles and artistic chemistry. With no guest features, RnB is a testament to unity in the competitive music scene, pushing Afrobeats boundaries and earning its spot on must-have playlists.
8. Adedamola
Artiste – Fireboy DML
Country – Nigeria
Label – YBNL /EMPIRE
Date of Release – August 28, 2024
The singer came full circle, returning to his roots and staying true to himself, and it shines through in this project where he seamlessly blends his different personas into a relatable and captivating whole. Fireboy DML taps veterans like Lagbaja and superstars like Lojay, SPINALL, Seun Kuti, and Jon Batiste.
7. Jiggy Forever
Artiste – Young Jonn
Country – Nigeria
Label – Chocolate City Music
Date of Release – April 12, 2024
Young Jonn, celebrated for hits like Dada and Aquafina, transitions from producer to singer-songwriter with his debut album, Jiggy Forever. The 16-track project blends past hits with star-studded collaborations, featuring Don Jazzy, Zlatan, Kizz Daniel, Seyi Vibez, Blaqbonez, Ya Levis, and Sean Paul. Jiggy Forever cements Young Jonn’s place as a force in Afrobeats.
6. Lungu Boy
Artiste – Asake
Country – Nigeria
Label – YBNL / EMPIRE
Date of Release – August 8, 2024
Asake’s Lungu Boy is a bold attempt at exploring new soundscapes but falls short of expectations. While it may achieve commercial success in the streaming era, it is his least enjoyable album to date, lacking the quality and standard of his previous work. The 15-track album features LUDMILLA, Central Cee. Stormzy, Travis Scott, and Wizkid.
5. Homeless
Artiste – Llona
Country – Nigeria
Label – Llona/ KVLT Ent./Encore Recordings
Date of Release – July 25, 2024
Llona’s debut album, Homeless, is a deeply introspective 12-track project exploring themes of mental health, resilience, and the struggles of Nigerian youth. Featuring collaborations with Bella Shmurda, Fave, and Wizard Chan, the album combines Llona’s storytelling with cinematic production. Tracks like Another Day and Cold War delve into societal pressures and personal growth, while a companion documentary provides further insight into his life and creative journey.
4. Stubborn
Artiste – Victony
Country – Nigeria
Label – Victony/Encore Recordings
Date of Release – June 21, 2024
Victony’s debut album, Stubborn, is a bold, 14-track showcase of his artistic evolution and creative vision. The LP highlights his fearless experimentation with diverse sounds and moods, reflecting his maverick approach to music and life. Featuring collaborations with SAINt JHN, Asake, Shallipopi, KTIZO, and Shoare Moore, Stubborn offers a dynamic and enriching listening experience. After years of delivering hits, this album solidifies Victony’s position as a remarkable talent, marking a pivotal moment in his career with an ambitious and captivating project.
3. HEIS
Artiste – Rema
Country – Nigeria
Label – Mavin Global
Date of Release – July 10, 2024
Rema’s HEIS marks a bold step in his career, introducing a more Afro-Rave-focused persona that may surprise some of his older fans. Following the success of his debut album Rave & Roses in 2022, which featured the massive hit Calm Down, Rema has continued to assert his dominance in the music industry. HEIS is a masterfully sequenced album, with smooth tracks that combine to create a cohesive narrative. Each song delivers a powerful message of confidence and ambition. Rema’s deliberate move to centre his artistry on his Nigerian roots, rather than pandering to Western influences, shows his commitment to making his mark in the Afrobeats
2. The Year I Turned 21
Artiste – Ayra Starr
Country – Nigeria
Label – Mavin Global
Date of Release – May 30, 2024
Ayra Starr’s sophomore album, The Year I Turned 21 (TYIT21), reflects her artistic growth and personal journey. Following the success of 19 & Dangerous, this 15-track album features collaborations with Nigerian stars like Asake and Seyi Vibez, as well as international artists such as Giveon, Anitta, and Rauw Alejandro, showcasing her global versatility. With over 30 million monthly listeners on Spotify, Ayra continues to solidify her place as a leading voice in African music. TYIT21 is a celebration of her growth and ambition, reinforcing her status as a global superstar.
1. Born In The Wild
Artiste – Tems
Country – Nigeria
Label – RCA Records/Since 93’/ Sony Music Publishing
Date of Release – June 6, 2024
Her debut album, Born In The Wild, is an 18-track project blending genres with standout collaborations from J. Cole and Asake. The album delves into her personal journey, tackling self-doubt, fame, and relationships. A vulnerable exploration of self-discovery, it marks a significant step in Tems’ evolution as a global superstar. Born In The Wild is both a gift to her fans and a testament to her growth in the Afrobeats scene and beyond.
