2024 marks a fresh chapter in the music industry, while artists are recording, record label execs are convening, streaming platforms are buzzing for new releases, and we, the listeners are eager and ready for more great tunes from all of our favourite artistes.
A new year in music is a lot harder to forecast than an imminent year in movies or television, as there is so much more uncertainty, just as Kanye West has shown us time and time again with his Vultures album. (Latest update: His “Vultures” album, which didn’t drop on New Year’s Eve, isn’t hitting January 12th either. Kanye’s still fiddling, and his team’s probably knee-deep in sample clearance negotiations.)
While we wait for further information from our beloved artistes, A couple of them have confirmed their album releases this year and we are super excited for that. This list will breakdown the Top 10 Most anticipated albums of 2024.
Skepta- ‘Knife and Fork’.
Skepta didn’t wait for the dust to settle on New Year’s resolutions before blowing Twitter up with news of his new album. Mentions went supernova, hashtags buzzed with excitement , and the only thing hotter than his first single, “Gas Me Up (Diligent)” dropping on January 26th, is the feverish anticipation for the full album announcement.
Usher, ‘Coming Home’
Gearing up for the Super Bowl Halftime Show, Usher plans to release his ninth studio album, “Coming Home,” just two days before taking the world’s biggest stage. Originally envisioned as a sequel to 2004’s “Confessions,” “Coming Home” has transformed into a 20-track odyssey, including fan favorites “Boyfriend” and “Good Good” (featuring Summer Walker and 21 Savage).
Jennifer Lopez, ‘This Is Me… Now’
Jennifer Lopez doesn’t want anyone questioning how madly in love she is with Ben Affleck. “This Is Me… Now,” serves as a sequel to 2002’s Affleck-adoring “This Is Me… Then.” This will be her first album since 2014’s “A.K.A.” and it will pick up right where its source material left off. As though that isn’t enough from the world of J.Lo, she plans to drop “This Is Me… Now: The Film” on Amazon Prime on Feb. 16, the same day as the album, all in tune with Valentine’s Day.
Tyla, ‘Tyla’
After TikTok virality and a Grammy nomination, South African pop princess Tyla prepares to unleash her debut album this year. Riding on the waves of her viral hit “Water,” Tyla will release her self-titled album in March. Expect the Travis Scott remix and a splash of fresh R&B-infused Afropop tracks like “Truth or Dare,” “On and On,” and “Butterflies” before Tyla embarks on her first global tour just one month after the LP drops.
Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign, ‘Vultures (¥)’
Despite Kanye’s polarizing past and condemnable stance on a variety of topics, his fans still love and ride for him, and in turn, are eagerly anticipating his new album with TY Dolla Sign called “Vultures(¥)'”, The pair hosted a lot of attendees to listening events in Miami and Las Vegas in 2023, and the album’s release date has been pushed back a number of times, but is now set for Jan.12.2024. The album is said to have guest appearances from a variety of artists including Kodak Black, Playboi Carti, Chris Brown and Freddie Gibbs.
Asap Rocky- ‘Don’t Be Dumb’.
With preceding singles such as “RIOT,” “Shittin Me” and “Same Problems?” Asap Rocky describes Don’t Be Dumb as his best work yet, The A-list names providing production for Don’t Be Dumb, include longtime collaborators Metro Boomin, Hit-Boy, and Tyler, as well as some intriguing first-time pairings with Madlib, The Alchemist, and rising Memphis producer Hitkidd, known for his work with GloRilla. With multiple album teases, ASAP Rocky’s album is definitely coming sooner than later.
SZA- ‘Lana’
According to SZA, Lana the album is in it’s final stages. ‘Lana’ is said to be a deluxe version of SZA’s top-Grammy-nominated sophomore album “SOS,” and it is slated to be released this fall. Mark your calendars and pre-save your hype for SZA’s new musical chapter.
Lil Wayne -‘The Carter VI’
Gear up, hip-hop heads! Lil Wayne’s long-awaited “The Carter VI” is finally arriving at the top of 2024, per his interview with Skip Bayless. Get ready for pure Weezy fire – pre-order your copy now and be the first to hear the rap legend roar!
While a number of artistes have laid their musical roadmaps clear, A few other chart-topping artists have hinted at new albums on the horizon, without any specifics, thereby leaving fans desperate to crack the code of their mysterious ways.
Although, the mere promise of new music from these powerhouse talents has been enough to have set the internet ablaze with anticipation. Let us dive into some of these evolving bodies of work.
Cardi B-TBA
Cardi B’s “Grammy award-winning album, Invasion of Privacy” may feel like a distant memory, but its impact lives on. Now, the Bronx bombshell is eyeing a 2024 return, her sights set on surpassing her debut’s explosive success. “I missed out on so much for my first album,” she confessed on Ebro in the Morning, “being pregnant and all.” This time, it’s Cardi, unfiltered and unleashed, pouring her creativity into every track and video. Get ready for the ultimate redemption.
Dua Lipa-TBA
Dua Lipa’s musical evolution reaches a new peak in 2024 with her upcoming third album, which would follow 2020’s Future Nostalgia. In 2023, she released a single “Houdini,” which will appear on her 2024 album. In an interview with T Magazine in August, she revealed the coming album will be “more personal” than her previous, inspired by “1970s-era psychedelia” and “still pop,” but “different sonically.” Variety reported that Lipa is working with Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, as well as several producers and writers who worked on her last album.
Ariana Grande-TBA
In December, Ariana Grande confirmed that her new and seventh album is coming out in 2024. “See you next year,” She wrote in an Instagram post tagging her producer, Republic Records and others. The post featured a video of her mother dancing and a photo showing Grande crying. The singer shared her post in an Instagram story and wrote, “The two moods of the album.” In addition to working on this new album, Grande is filming the upcoming Wicked film. Let’s get ready to unravel Grande’s next musical spell together!
Some Honorable Mentions who have either teased or confirmed album releases in 2024 include Rihanna, Shakira, Green Day “Saviours,” Lenny Kravitz “Blue Electric Light,” Bleachers “Bleachers,” JBalvin, Zara Larson “Venus,” Sia “Reasonable Woman,” Snoop Dogg & Dr. Dre “Missionary,” JCole “The Fall Off,” Frank Ocean, Kid Cudi “INSANO,” and Chance The Rapper “Star Line Gallery.”
So buckle up, music lovers, because 2024 promises to be a sonic rollercoaster. From Skepta’s grime fest to J.Lo’s romantic serenade, from Tyla’s debut fire to Kanye’s ever-evolving masterpiece, these albums are guaranteed to make your ears sing, your body move, and your soul soar. Mark your calendars, pre-order your favourites, and get ready to soundtrack your year with the hottest tunes of 2024. The only question is, Where will you start?
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Written by Angel Joanne Okonkwo.
