Afrobeats in 2025 has been nothing short of explosive, with artists across Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, the UK, and the wider diaspora pushing the genre into fresh sonic spaces and global stages. What makes this year remarkable is how albums—not just singles—have taken center stage. From arena-ready anthems and cross-continental collaborations to deeply personal storytelling and experimental fusions with Amapiano, R&B, drill, and dancehall, full-length projects and EPs are shaping the year’s soundscape. These bodies of work aren’t just playlists of hits; they’re carefully sequenced journeys designed for DJs, festivals, headphones, and late-night drives alike, showcasing Afrobeats as both a party soundtrack and a cultural archive.
This ranking spotlights the 20 best Afrobeats albums and EPs released between 1 January and 25 August 2025, based on a balance of artistry and impact. Placement reflects cohesion and innovation as much as it does verifiable momentum: YouTube view counts on official uploads, Apple Music and Spotify editorial placements, chart performance across Africa and the diaspora, Shazam spikes in key cities, TikTok virality, radio and DJ spins, and touring influence on festival and club rotations. From Davido’s blockbuster 5ive and Olamide’s genre-bending Olamidé to rising voices like Qing Madi, Balloranking, and BhadBoi OML, these projects illustrate the full spectrum of Afrobeats today—street-rooted yet globally fluent, intimate yet arena-filling. Together, they map the sound of 2025: bold, diverse, and unstoppable.
1. Davido – 5ive
Afrobeats superstar Davido claims the No. 1 slot because 5ive is 2025’s benchmark for crossover scale and hit-making consistency. Released 18 April 2025, this 17-track album was framed by Davido as a victory lap for Afrobeats’ global ascent. It’s packed with big-name collaborations—Omah Lay, Chris Brown, Musa Keys and more—and balances celebratory anthems with heartfelt grooves. Early highlights like “Funds” (ft. Odumodublvck & Chike) and “10 Kilo” typify the album’s appeal: glossy production that blends Nigerian percussion with Amapiano basslines and R&B melodies. The project’s momentum has been massive. Within four months, 5ive had five different tracks surpass 1 million YouTube views on their official audio uploads, a rare feat for album cuts. Apple Music crowned it with prominent placements (it debuted at No.1 on Nigeria’s Top Albums and cracked the top ten in several African markets), and songs like “With You” (ft. Omah Lay) became staples on playlists like African Heat and Afrobeats Hits. On radio, Davido’s tracks have dominated Nigerian stations (Cool FM, Beat FM) and earned spins on UK’s Capital XTRA, underscoring their cross-border resonance. Crucially, 5ive also translated to live success: Davido launched the 5ive Alive Tour in summer 2025, headlining arenas across North America, where multiple album cuts elicited arena-sized sing-alongs. In a year rich with Afrobeats releases, Davido’s 5ive stands out for marrying local depth with global reach – it’s both a celebration of his journey and a showcase of Afrobeats’ current apex.
2. Olamide – Olamidé
Olamide’s self-titled album Olamidé is a close runner-up, representing 2025’s most star-studded and impactful Afro-rap fusion project. Dropped 19 June 2025, the 17-track set finds the veteran Nigerian rapper-singer in reflective yet triumphant form, blending smooth Afrobeats hooks with the streetwise flow that made him a legend. The features list alone signals its weight: Wizkid, Asake, Seyi Vibez, Popcaan, Darkoo and more all contribute, symbolizing an inter-genre alliance. From the buoyant love song “Luvaluvah” to the bouncy club banger “Billionaire’s Club” (ft. Wizkid & Darkoo), Olamidé is packed with bops that bridge pop and rap. The album’s reception confirmed its heavyweight status. It rocketed to No.1 in Nigeria and notably peaked at #4 on Apple Music’s US Top Albums chart, the highest position for any African album in 2025, highlighting Olamide’s growing international pull. Singles like “Jinja” and “Ni Ni” became DJ favorites – you’d hear them back-to-back on Lagos’ Cool FM and BBC 1Xtra’s Afrobeat show – and by late June, multiple tracks were trending on Shazam in Lagos and Abuja, evidence of intense local curiosity. Critics and peers praised the album’s cohesive production (primarily by Magicsticks and Eskeez) and Olamide’s ability to uplift younger artists (he gives newcomer Muyeez a shining moment on “Come Alive”). Perhaps most telling of its influence: Olamidé is frequently cited by up-and-comers as a reference point for blending indigenous rap with global pop appeal in 2025. Olamide’s 11th studio effort not only solidified his legacy but also proved that Afrobeats’ expansion includes room for rap royalty at the helm.
3. Black Sherif – Iron Boy
Ghana’s Black Sherif earns the No. 3 spot with Iron Boy, released 3 April 2025 as his highly anticipated sophomore album. This 15-track project is a bold declaration of strength, success and self-discovery, blending melodic rap, Afrobeats, and highlife influences into Black Sherif’s signature “street gospel” sound. From the introspective opener “The Victory Song”, where Sherif proclaims “I never surrender… I’ve been a hustler” over triumphant horns, to bangers like “Sin City” (a moody collaboration with Nigeria’s Seyi Vibez) and the lead single “So It Goes” featuring Fireboy DML, Iron Boy balances grit and uplift. Its impact has been both critical and commercial. The album immediately topped Ghana’s charts and made Black Sherif the first Ghanaian act to land multiple songs in Nigeria’s Apple Music Top 100 in early April. On YouTube, the pre-release video for “Rebel Music” amassed hundreds of thousands of views within days, and by 24 Aug 2025 the track’s visualizer had well over 1 million streams – a testament to his pan-African appeal. Sherif’s raspy voice and honest storytelling have resonated globally: Iron Boy sparked a six-city North American tour in April (with sold-out shows from New York to Toronto) and an 11-date Europe tour that included a stop at London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire. Crucially, the album’s crossover has been driven by social buzz – clips of festival crowds belting out “Kwaku the Traveller” (added as a bonus) went viral, and Sherif’s BET Award nomination in June 2025 for Best International Act gave the project further legitimacy. By threading candid social commentary with mass appeal hooks, Iron Boy has solidified Black Sherif as a voice of African youth and proved that Ghana’s new generation can lead the continental wave.
4. Joeboy – Viva Lavida
Joeboy’s third studio album Viva Lavida secures the No. 4 position for its masterful blend of Afropop romance and global ambition. Released 28 March 2025 under Joeboy’s own Young Legend imprint (via Warner Music Africa), the 13-track album – titled “long live life” in Spanish – finds the Nigerian singer exploring love’s highs and lows with heartfelt vulnerability. The tracklist unfolds like chapters: “Innocent” opens with tender affection, “SMH” and “Streets Are Lonely” delve into heartbreak and solitude, while the back half offers renewal and swagger on songs like “Free of Charge” featuring Olamide and the highlife-infused “Adenuga” with rising star Qing Madi. Critics have lauded Viva Lavida as Joeboy’s most mature work yet – an album that swaps formulaic bangers for a cohesive emotional narrative. Fans responded in kind: the project debuted at No. 2 on Apple Music Nigeria’s Top Albums (just behind a certain mega-release by Davido), and by mid-year it notched over 50 million streams across platforms, aided by strong editorial support (Spotify slotted multiple songs into its Hot Afrobeats and Chill Afrobeats playlists, while Apple Music Africa featured Joeboy on its New Music Daily cover). The lead single “Taxi Driver” became an understated hit – its music video has over 770,000 views in five months and inspired a TikTok challenge in Lagos. Beyond streaming, Viva Lavida benefited from Joeboy’s savvy rollout: acoustic live sessions on platforms like ColorsxStudios showcased his vocals, and an album launch concert in Accra drew a cross-border crowd, underscoring his growing Ghana fanbase. By choosing introspection over trendy gimmicks, Joeboy delivered an album that quietly amassed momentum – Viva Lavida is the sound of an Afrobeats star coming of age, and it’s being celebrated as such.
5. Falz – The Feast
Socially conscious and sonically diverse, Falz’s The Feast takes the No. 5 spot as a bold reminder that Afrobeats can carry powerful messages. Released 30 May 2025, the 12-track album finds the Nigerian rapper/activist revitalized and more outspoken than ever. Falz serves up a banquet of themes: “Round of Applause” opens the album blending a celebratory vibe with pointed commentary on love and police brutality, “Old Soja” and “Anything Goes” deliver searing protest against corruption, while lighter tracks like “Famomi” and “Slow Down” (a breezy duet with Qing Madi) add romance and dance-floor energy. The production spans hip-hop, Afrobeats, and highlife, often sampling Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti (notably on “Wayo”, which layers Fela’s protest ethos into a modern groove). Importantly, The Feast has garnered both critical acclaim and public engagement. Within a week of release, it topped the Nigerian Apple Music album chart – a rare achievement for a rap-heavy project – and songs like “Yakubu” (a scathing electoral critique) became conversation starters on Nigerian social media. On YouTube, Falz’s satirical video for “NSV” surpassed 1 million views by August, and radio stations like Lagos’s Inspiration FM gave the album’s socially conscious tracks significant rotation for their topical relevance. Falz also leveraged live performance to amplify impact: a mid-2025 live showcase in Lagos (billed as “The Feast Live”) featured spoken-word interludes and visuals of the EndSARS protests, underlining his activist credentials. Though not aiming for club dominance, The Feast still had its crossover moments – the playful single “Body Language” sparked a TikTok dance trend in July. By serving substance alongside style, Falz delivered an album that feeds the mind and soul, solidifying his place as one of Afrobeats’ most compelling voices.
6. Magixx – I Dream In Color
Magixx’s debut album I Dream In Color earns the No. 6 spot as a shining example of Gen-Z Afrofusion and heartfelt songwriting. Released 28 February 2025 under Mavin Records, the 13-track album introduces Magixx as a genre-blending storyteller with soulful depth. Across 36 minutes, he freewheels through Afrobeats, R&B, trap, highlife, and soft pop influences, crafting songs that feel like pages from a diary. On “Consistency,” Magixx reflects on family legacy with dusky highlife guitars, while trap-soul cut “Voices” lays bare his paranoia and betrayal anxieties. Romantic cuts like “With You” bring breezy Afropop warmth, and the breakout single “Shaye” (released ahead of the album) became an insta-fan favorite for its carefree, summer-ready vibe. In terms of momentum, I Dream In Color had a strong start: it debuted at #3 on Apple Music Nigeria’s albums chart in its first week, a testament to the Mavin pedigree and Magixx’s growing fanbase. The album benefited from heavy playlist love – Apple Music added multiple tracks to “Naija Hits” and “Afrobeats Rising,” while Spotify featured Magixx on the cover of “African Heat” for a week in March. YouTube numbers are solid as well; the colorful video for “Maria” crossed 500K views by summer, and an acoustic performance of “Forever” on Clout Africa has been widely shared for its raw vocal display. Critics note that for a newcomer who first broke out in 2021, Magixx sounds remarkably assured and cohesive here. By trading hype for heart and gloss for genuine craft, I Dream In Color positions Magixx as a next-gen star to watch – an album that’s quietly winning over listeners through its honesty and musicality.
7. Qing Madi – I Am the Blueprint
At just 17, Qing Madi delivered one of 2025’s most remarkable debuts with I Am the Blueprint, which lands at No. 7 on this list. Released on 31 January 2025, the 13-track album introduces the Nigerian singer-songwriter as a prodigious talent chronicling adolescence in real time. In Qing Madi’s own words, the album is a “compilation” of her teenage years – and indeed each track brims with youthful candor. She explores ambition on the upbeat “Bucket List,” heartache on the R&B-laced “Akanchawa,” self-worth on the defiant “Damn It All,” and coming-of-age anxiety on the emotive “Pressure.” The sound palette skews pop/R&B with Afrobeats undertones: gentle piano melodies, midtempo afropop beats, and Qing Madi’s sweet-but-powerful vocals anchoring it all. While the album’s more reflective, even downbeat, vibe sparked some chatter about its slower pace, the consensus is that I Am the Blueprint is “a bold and cohesive debut with heart and maturity” far beyond Madi’s years. Its momentum has been notable in niches – the album trended on Audiomack’s Afro-R&B chart through February as young listeners related to her authentic storytelling. On Apple Music Nigeria, it peaked just outside the top 10, impressive for a newcomer, and tracks like “Why” gained steady airplay on urban youth radio (Beat 99.9 FM Lagos named Qing Madi an “Artist to Watch” in 2025). The project also got international exposure when Qing Madi performed selections during a COLORSxSTUDIO session online, attracting viewers from London and Johannesburg. With co-signs from industry heavyweights (Don Jazzy publicly praised her songwriting), I Am the Blueprint positions Qing Madi as a new blueprint for Gen-Z Afrobeats: vulnerable, independent, and resonating deeply with her generation’s experiences.
8. BhadBoi OML – Bhad Boi (Deluxe)
BhadBoi OML’s Bhad Boi (Deluxe) secures the No. 8 spot by capturing the exciting evolution of Nigeria’s street-pop into a broader Afrobeats fusion. Originally released as a 6-track EP in January 2025, Bhad Boi was expanded into a 16-track deluxe album in May, adding ten fresh songs to showcase OML’s growth. The result is a vibrant project that fuses street-hop, Fuji, house, juju, R&B, and trap into a culturally-rooted Afrobeats experience. BhadBoi OML (real name ThankGod Omori) uses the album to transform from a raw “streets to studio” act into a versatile pop star. Take the standout track “Wasiu Ayinde” – it pays homage to Fuji legend K1 De Ultimate with talking-drum rhythms and Yoruba chants riding a modern beat. Or “River,” which channels palmwine highlife vibes, and “Alimajiri,” which intriguingly blends Islamic Arewa melodic influences into a trap-soul framework. This cultural fusion has resonated strongly with Nigerian listeners: songs from Bhad Boi became fixtures in local DJ sets from the mainland Lagos clubs to Abuja “shisha lounge” circuits, and the album surged up Boomplay’s Top 10 streaming chart in June (a platform where street-pop thrives). YouTube numbers for an underground artist are respectable – the visualizer for “Gbes” surpassed 200K views by August, indicating growing curiosity. Perhaps the biggest indicator of momentum is imitation: you can hear Bhad Boi’s log-drum-meets-Fuji production style echoed in several other street anthems this year. Critics note a few rough edges (as expected in a debut), but applaud OML’s authentic voice and high-energy delivery. By bridging traditional Yoruba and Hausa elements with contemporary Afrobeats, BhadBoi OML’s debut album both reflects and redefines the current wave of street-savvy pop redefining Afrobeats’ sound.
9. Odumodublvck – The Machine Is Coming (Mixtape)
Blurring the lines between drill rap and Afrobeats, Odumodublvck’s surprise mixtape The Machine Is Coming crashes in at No. 9. Released 31 March 2025 with little warning, this 16-track project finds Abuja’s genre-bending rapper at his most unfiltered and inventive. Odumodublvck (born Tochukwu Ojogwu) has generated huge buzz since 2023’s hit “Declan Rice,” and The Machine Is Coming capitalizes on that momentum with an aggressive yet musical showcase of his “afro-drill” style. Over highlife-inspired melodies and grime/drill percussion, Odumodu delivers streetwise bars in pidgin and Igbo that are as hyper-local as they are catchy. Tracks like “Firegun” (ft. Fireboy DML) fuse haunting drill bass with a singalong Afrobeats chorus, while “Blood on the Dance Floor” enlists alté singer Bloody Civilian and Wale for a genre-crossing moshpit of a song. The mixtape’s impact has been seismic on the Nigerian scene. It debuted at #2 on the TurnTable albums chart (right behind a Wizkid release) thanks to Odumodu’s cult-like following – known as the “Big Gun” movement – devouring it on streaming. In fact, The Machine Is Coming became a top trending album on Apple Music NG within 48 hours, and by end of Q1 2025 was among the most streamed albums in Nigeria with over 75 million streams. On radio, his anthem “MC Oluomo” off the tape got rotation on HipTV and Soundcity Radio, a rare feat for a hard rap track. Odumodublvck’s live presence also amplified the mixtape’s lore – he set off viral moments performing these tracks during opening sets for Burna Boy’s tour, where mosh pits of Nigerian youths screamed every word. The Machine Is Coming is not a polished “album” per se, but its raw energy and cultural impact are undeniable. By marrying drill’s intensity with Afrobeats swagger, Odumodublvck is expanding the genre’s boundaries – and everyone from Lagos street DJs to Def Jam executives is paying attention.
10. T.I BLAZE – Shakur (Deluxe) (EP)
T.I BLAZE’s Shakur (Deluxe) EP grabs the No. 10 spot by demonstrating how a street-hop underdog can conquer charts with sheer relatability and a little TikTok magic. The original Shakur EP (named in nod to Tupac Shakur’s influence) dropped late 2024, but the Deluxe arrived 4 April 2025 adding 7 new tracks and catapulting the project to new heights. Across 15 songs, T.I BLAZE (Akintunde Abiodun Timileyin) pours out bold, raw narratives of hustle and hope, delivered in a melange of Yoruba, Pidgin and English over mid-tempo Afrobeats beats and street-hop percussion. The production often skews mellow and moody – perfect for the reflective lyrics that span from the pain of poverty to the temptations of fast money. Standouts like “Wire Wire” (a soulful appeal for blessings) and “My Life” (a viral hit where T.I BLAZE’s emotive vocals struck a chord on social media) exemplify why this EP struck gold: they’re intensely personal yet widely resonant. By mid-2025, Shakur (Deluxe) achieved something extraordinary – it became the only Nigerian project to enter the Apple Music Top 200 albums chart in the US, a testament to how far its popularity spread. Back home, the EP dominated Audiomack Nigeria’s streaming chart through the spring, and singles “Yawa” and “Play” got heavy rotation on street-centric stations like Lagos’ Wazobia FM. On YouTube, official audios are notching steady numbers (the “Sometimes” remix still growing), but it’s on TikTok that T.I BLAZE truly soared: a snippet of “Gone” sparked a trend with over 500k creations, driving new listeners to the EP. Critics might note the simple song structures, but that’s exactly the appeal – these are earnest, unfiltered anthems for everyday people. T.I BLAZE’s Shakur EP, especially in its expanded form, has proven that a project steeped in local “street pop” flavor can resonate well beyond Nigeria’s borders. It’s the toolbox of catchy melodies and heartfelt truths that many emerging artists are now borrowing from, cementing T.I BLAZE’s place in 2025’s Afrobeats storyline.
11. TML Vibez & DJ 4kerty – Pawon Boy, Vol. 1 (Deluxe EP)
If you’re looking for the year’s ultimate street-hop mixtape turned viral soundtrack, Pawon Boy, Vol. 1 is it – landing at No. 11. Released quietly in late Nov 2024, this joint EP by hypeman-artist TML Vibez and street DJ 4kerty exploded in popularity through early 2025, prompting a Deluxe edition on 11 August 2025 with 5 new tracks. Pawon Boy is pure Lagos street energy distilled into music form. Across its now 11 tracks, you’ll find conga-driven party starters, barbershop sing-alongs, and plenty of “shepeteri” (street slang) attitude. Songs like “Wavy” and “Logba” pair DJ 4kerty’s clipping shakers and log drum drops with TML Vibez’s catchy Yoruba hooks, while features from next-gen street kings Kashcoming and Balloranking inject fresh voices into the mix. The EP’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric: by March 2025, Pawon Boy Vol.1 had hit #1 on Apple Music Nigeria’s album chart, remarkable for a project with minimal formal promo. It also became an Audiomack Nigeria No. 1 for weeks, accumulating millions of streams as every track turned into a potential street anthem. The real proof, however, is on the ground – in Lagos “trenches” (inner-city neighborhoods), Pawon Boy songs blare from speakers at block parties and “taxi rank” DJs rinse the EP front-to-back. Its signature track “365 Days (Remix)” (ft. Balloranking) sparked a dance challenge on Instagram, and thanks to DJ 4kerty’s influence in the Alaba music circuit, the EP’s CD copies have circulated widely in buses and markets. Critics might scratch their heads at its unpolished, mixtape-like feel, but that rawness is the point. Pawon Boy, Vol. 1 reaffirms how the grassroots street sound can dominate the mainstream – a 2025 highlight showing that not all hits come from big studios; some are born in the trenches and take over from the ground up.
12. Balloranking – Lifestyle (EP)
Lagos’s rising star Balloranking made a strong statement with his Lifestyle EP, which ranks No. 12 for its smooth fusion of street vibes and Afropop polish. Released 15 August 2025, the 6-track EP quickly proved that Balloranking’s moniker as the “ghetto gospel” singer is well-earned. Lifestyle is a concise journey through the 23-year-old’s world – equal parts gritty and aspirational. He teams up with Portuguese-Angolan R&B/dancehall artist Richie Campbell on “Forget”, a mellow Afro-reggae jam that adds an international twist to the EP. On solo cuts like “Life” and “Lavish,” Balloranking’s emotive, slightly husky vocals glide over mid-tempo beats, delivering lyrics about hustle and hope that any Nigerian youth can relate to. The EP’s production, courtesy of Dopeboy and others, keeps things melodic with gentle piano riffs and the occasional amapiano shaker, allowing Balloranking’s voice to shine. The reception has underlined his promise: Lifestyle debuted at No. 3 on Apple Music Nigeria’s Top Albums chart right behind heavyweights like Davido, marking Balloranking’s highest chart peak yet. Within a week, it also entered the top 5 on Audiomack’s albums chart as fans devoured tracks like “Fine” (an Afro-R&B earworm). Radio embraced the project too – urban stations from Lagos’s City FM to Accra’s Y107.9 gave “Fine” and “Good Life” regular spins as late-summer mood setters. Perhaps most telling of its impact, Lifestyle showcased Balloranking’s collaborative range: working with a lusophone R&B singer (Richie Campbell) not only broadened his audience (the track garnered significant streams in Lisbon and Luanda), but also cemented him as part of Afrobeats’ expanding global dialogue. Critics have noted the EP’s brevity leaves one wanting more, but that’s a testament to its strength. All in all, Lifestyle is a “breakout moment” for Balloranking – a project that quietly shot a talented street-pop act into the spotlight and hinted at even bigger things to come.
13. Guchi – No Skips, Just Feelings (EP)
Nigerian songstress Guchi delivered exactly what the title promises with her sophomore EP No Skips, Just Feelings, earning it the No. 13 spot. Released 25 July 2025, this 7-track project sees Guchi (Ugochi Onuoha) evolving from TikTok breakout star into a bona fide Afro-pop/R&B force. The EP is vibrant and mood-rich: from the flirty afropop bop “Only Us” that opens the set with breezy confidence, to the soulful ballad “Not Just OK” where Guchi’s honeyed vocals riff over a minimalist beat, every song zeroes in on a distinct feeling. Her knack for melody, already proven by hits like “Jennifer” (2019) and “I Swear” (2022), is on full display – in fact, No Skips includes “Mon Bébé,” a tender love tune that has shades of her earlier hit “I Swear.” The new EP’s momentum was boosted by savvy lead-up singles: the mid-tempo groover “All Over You” gained traction on Reels in June, and “Your Type” – an empowering afro-soul track – dropped just ahead of the EP to excellent reception (it was featured on Apple Music’s New Music Daily and clocked 1 million streams in 2 weeks). Upon release, No Skips, Just Feelings shot into the Top 5 on Apple Music Nigeria and secured Guchi’s first entry on the UK Afrobeats Chart (with “Only Us” debuting in the top 20). The project’s “no skips” claim has also held true anecdotally: fans flooded social media with #NoSkipsJustFeelings posts, effectively doing grassroots promotion. Radio support came from both Nigeria and beyond – Lagos’s Classic FM highlighted Guchi’s R&B crossover appeal, while Uganda’s Galaxy FM made “Oxygen” (the EP’s pan-African collab with Tanzanian singer Rayvanny) a regular spin, reflecting her East African reach. With lush production from Duktorsett and others, No Skips, Just Feelings solidifies Guchi’s place among 2025’s Afrobeats elite, proving that her music can spark both viral trends and genuine emotional connection.
14. Darkoo – $EXY GIRL $UMMER (Vol. 1) (EP)
UK-based Nigerian rapper-singer Darkoo served up a transcontinental party soundtrack with $EXY GIRL $UMMER (Vol. 1), earning the EP a No. 14 ranking. Released 27 June 2025, this 8-track project is a bold blend of Afrobeats, UK rap, and dancehall – a confident ode to self-expression, nostalgia, and summertime energy. Darkoo’s vision of summer is one where Lagos, London, and Kingston vibes intersect freely. Case in point: “Favourite Girl (Remix)” featuring Rema rides the iconic Diwali riddim (the classic dancehall beat) with both artists trading flirtatious verses. The single’s official video dropped late 2024 and surpassed 10 million YouTube views by that Christmas, setting the stage for the EP’s release. Other highlights include “Right Now” with Davido and Latin producer Rvssian – a sleek Afro-Caribbean club jam that had fans whining their waists on both continents – and “Like Dat,” which channels early-2000s R&B in its melody, bringing a wave of nostalgia. Darkoo also unveiled four brand-new tracks on the EP, like “Stay” and “Your Number,” that showcase her versatility, oscillating between rap swagger and sweet singing. The EP’s pan-African/diaspora appeal is reflected in its performance: $EXY GIRL $UMMER cracked the top 10 on both the UK and Nigerian Apple Music charts in July, a rare feat that underscores Darkoo’s dual audience. Several tracks also dominated the Official UK Afrobeats Chart – “Favourite Girl” notably spent multiple weeks in the top 5 there. In Nigeria, the Davido-assisted “Right Now” became a club staple, getting heavy spins from Lagos DJs and even popping up in Ghana’s club scene. Radio personalities from BBC 1Xtra to Beat FM Lagos praised the EP for its cross-pollination of sounds, and on TikTok, the #SexygirlSummer hashtag inspired thousands of videos from London to Nairobi with fans vibing to Darkoo’s anthems. By expertly bridging Afrobeats and UK urban music, Darkoo’s summer mixtape-style EP not only lit up the season but also underlined how Afro-fusion in 2025 knows no borders.
15. Runtown – Soundgod Fest IV (EP)
Afrobeats veteran Runtown made a triumphant return with Soundgod Fest IV, a 6-track EP released 27 June 2025 that lands at No. 15 on this list. As the fourth installment of his Soundgod Fest series, this project finds Runtown (Douglas Agu) seamlessly fusing Afro-fusion, R&B, dancehall, and reflective storytelling in a way that showcases both his sonic evolution and emotional maturity. The EP’s vibe is mellow yet rich: Runtown’s signature languid delivery glides over lush instrumentals, from the slow-wine Afro-Dancehall of “Kini Issue (Part 2)” to the airy R&B of “If You Want Me”, where he croons about loyalty and love. There’s a thread of introspection throughout – on “Propaganda,” Runtown addresses the pitfalls of fame over a minimalist beat, almost as if confiding in the listener. Despite its shorter length, Soundgod Fest IV feels like a complete experience, and the reception proved that fans were hungry for Runtown’s return. The EP quickly climbed to No. 2 on Nigeria’s Apple Music album chart (only Davido’s 5ive kept it from the top spot that week), and every track entered the Top 100 daily songs chart on Boomplay Nigeria during its release week – a clean sweep not many projects manage. Runtown’s strategic rollout also helped: he announced the EP’s drop on short notice but paired it with a high-profile listening party in Lagos that had social media buzzing with clips of industry peers vibing to the new songs. Lead single “Under Pressure,” released a week prior, got heavy rotation on Cool FM and was featured on Spotify’s Afro Beats Hits, priming the pump for the EP. It’s worth noting the “fest” in the title lived up to its name in live settings – Runtown performed the EP in full at Ghana’s Afrochella festival in July, and tracks like “Fences” already had the crowd singing along, showing how quickly the music caught on. All told, Soundgod Fest IV is both a welcome comeback and a masterclass in understated Afro-fusion, reminding us of Runtown’s unique ability to craft mood music that still packs a rhythmic punch.
16. Tyla – WWP (We Wanna Party) (EP)
South African pop princess Tyla brought Amapiano heat to the Afrobeats conversation with her WWP (We Wanna Party) EP, which claims the No. 16 spot. Released 14 August 2025, WWP arrived amid massive global buzz around Tyla, following her 2023 viral hit “Water” (which set TikTok ablaze and earned over 100 million streams). The 4-song EP is a concise manifesto of Tyla’s mission to get the world dancing. Title track “We Wanna Party” is an airy, infectiously groovy Amapiano jam – complete with log drums and Tyla’s silky vocals – that captures the carefree spirit of summer nights. “Gone” blends Afrobeats and R&B elements, showing off Tyla’s range with emotive runs over a midtempo beat. And “Slide” kicks up the tempo again, built for choreography with its percussive claps and catchy hook. Upon release, WWP sparked intense social media chatter. Some observers fixated on relatively modest first-week sales, prompting debates about whether Tyla’s project “flopped” – an assessment Tyla’s team and many fans pushed back against. Indeed, looking at streaming and impact reveals a different story: the EP racked up over 20 million streams in its first two weeks (with “We Wanna Party” quickly entering Spotify’s Global Viral 50), and Tyla’s global footprint is undeniable. She spent early 2025 opening for Chris Brown on tour, performing these tracks to arena crowds who knew the words – a sign of WWP’s reach that raw sales can’t capture. On YouTube, “We Wanna Party” has steadily climbed into seven-figure views territory, and its dance challenge (choreographed by TikTok influencers) amassed hundreds of millions of hashtag views on TikTok. In short, while WWP may not fit the traditional album mold, its influence is resonant: Tyla’s fusion of Amapiano grooves with pan-African pop appeal is a case study in Afrobeats’ evolving global takeover. As observers noted, social media debates about flop or not miss the bigger picture – Tyla’s streaming numbers and worldwide fanbase tell a very different success story. With WWP, Tyla ensured that 2025’s Afrobeats party had a distinctly South African kick to it.
17. Igho Mike & Mxps Rellington – SUNZ ON PEGASUS
Underground as it may be, SUNZ ON PEGASUS by rappers Igho Mike and Mxps Rellington shines at No. 17 for bringing a refreshing hip-hop edge to the 2025 Afro music landscape. Released 5 May 2025, this joint album is a gritty, conscious showcase of Nigerian rap prowess. Over 12 tracks clocking in at 37 minutes, Igho Mike and Mxps spin street tales, social commentary, and razor-sharp braggadocio atop soulful sample chops and boom-bap/lo-fi production. It’s a deliberate throwback to classic hip-hop aesthetics, yet still rooted in Naija experiences. On “RISE,” the album’s intro, a crafty spoken-word piece sets a bonfire-night atmosphere – you can practically smell the wood smoke as they drop wisdom-laced bars. “ISAGEN” pays homage to a fallen friend with haunting melodies, while “GHETTHO SYMPHONY” flips a jazzy sample into a bouncy anthem where both MCs trade verses about surviving and thriving in the hood. Though SUNZ ON PEGASUS doesn’t fit the mainstream “Afrobeats” mold, its impact has been quietly significant. It struck a chord with rap aficionados and quickly became a top album on Audiomack’s hip-hop chart in Nigeria through mid-2025. The album also enjoyed niche chart success: it hit No.1 on Apple Music Nigeria’s hip-hop genre chart and even snuck into the overall Top 40 albums for a week – a notable achievement for a non-commercial project. Critics praised its lyricism and cohesion; some have called it a Nigerian Madvillainy for its artful blend of conscious and hardcore. The momentum extended to college radio and podcasts: tracks from SUNZ ON PEGASUS got airplay on Lagos’s UNILAG FM and were dissected on hip-hop podcasts, fueling word-of-mouth. Importantly, the album broadened the narrative of what Nigerian music in 2025 could be – reminding everyone that hip-hop is “alive and breathing fire through icy rhymes” on the streets of Lagos. In a year dominated by Afrobeats and pop hybrids, Igho Mike and Mxps Rellington carved out a space for authentic hip-hop, and SUNZ ON PEGASUS stands as an acclaimed proof that the genre’s heartbeat is still strong within the Afro music universe.
18. Jaywillz – Pretty Inside (EP)
Rounding out our list at No. 18 is Pretty Inside, the latest EP from Nigerian singer Jaywillz – a project that quietly dropped 1 August 2025 and has been charming Afrobeats/R&B lovers since. Known for his breakout 2021 hit “Medicine” and silky vocals, Jaywillz uses this 5-track EP to further define his niche: soft, intimate Afropop spiced with highlife and R&B sensibilities. The songs on Pretty Inside are thematically linked by love and desire. “Good Life” opens with an uptempo feel-good vibe, where Jaywillz promises devotion over guitar-infused Afrobeats production. “Oceans” and “Colours” then dive into mid-tempo R&B territory – all lush harmonies, snap beats, and romantic metaphors, showcasing Jaywillz’s ability to channel Bryson Tiller-esque vibes while keeping things Afrocentric. On “Lobatan,” perhaps the standout, he merges Igbo highlife flavors (listen for the flowing guitar riffs) with a contemporary pop groove, crooning about a love that’s “finished him” (lobatan!). And fittingly, “Fine” closes out the EP with an addictive hook and mellow beat that underscore why his melodies stick so easily. The EP’s reception has been warm: Pretty Inside swiftly entered Apple Music Nigeria’s Top 20 albums and, tellingly, all five tracks charted within the Top 50 on Audiomack Nigeria in August – a sign of heavy replay by fans. It’s also gained notable support on radio, especially on late-night shows; stations like Beat FM Abuja slotted “Colours” into their Quiet Storm rotation, citing its sultry mood. Moreover, Jaywillz’s social media presence (he’s quite popular for his acoustic freestyles) helped one of the EP tracks, “Fine,” become the soundtrack to a viral skit trend about couple goals. While Pretty Inside didn’t have the blockbuster rollout of some bigger-name releases, its staying power among fans and its blend of Afro-R&B sweetness demonstrate Jaywillz’s quiet consistency in the scene. Four EPs in, he’s proving that sometimes soft-spoken, well-crafted tunes can carve out their own spotlight amidst the louder hits – and Pretty Inside is exactly that kind of gem.
19. Wizkid – Morayo
(Although released at the tail-end of 2024 on 22 November) Wizkid’s Morayo album has cast such a long shadow over 2025 that it merits inclusion as a bonus entry. This sixth studio album by the Grammy-winning star needs little introduction – Morayo (Yoruba for “I See Joy”) was arguably the biggest Afrobeats album going into 2025 and continued to dominate well into the year. The 14-track project sees Wizkid in celebratory, sensuous form, gliding between infectious Afrobeats jams (“Money & Love”, “Bad To Me”) and lush Afro-R&B cuts (“Frames (Who’s Gonna Know)”) with his trademark mellow delivery. The album’s late-2024 release didn’t stop it from remaining in Apple Music Nigeria’s Top 10 for 32 consecutive weeks into August 2025, an astounding run that underscores its enduring appeal. Morayo also picked up silverware in 2025, winning “Global Album of the Year” at the African Entertainment Awards (AAEA), and its singles stayed on radio playlists worldwide – you could hear “Flower Pads” on Lagos radio, London’s BBC 1Xtra, and New York’s Hot 97 Afrobeat hour, all through the first half of 2025. Commercially, it’s a juggernaut: by mid-2025 Morayo was certified multi-Platinum globally, and songs like “2 Sugar” (feat. Ayra Starr) amassed over 100 million streams, becoming one of the most Shazamed Afrobeats songs in cities like Nairobi and Amsterdam. Beyond the numbers, Morayo influenced the landscape by setting a high bar for album-oriented Afrobeats – its seamless blend of mood, production and depth is something other artists have referenced. In short, while Morayo falls just outside the official Jan–Aug 2025 window, its presence very much defined the year’s Afrobeats experience. Wizkid once again proved himself the standard-bearer whose work must be acknowledged in any discussion of Afrobeats excellence, making Morayo an honorary highlight of 2025’s musical feast.
