We're eager for new music from artists like Olamide, Sarkodie and Runtown!
Q1 has officially come to an end, and while we didn't have the double (triple? quadruple?) whammy releases each week like we did in 2020, we've certainly gotten a healthy crop of good projects. Between January and February, Joeboy shared his stunning debut Somewhere between Beauty and Magic, while Mavin unlocked a new voice in Gen Z Afropop, Ayra Starr. March and April also came bearing gifts: new projects from resident recluse Tay Iwar and Huncho himself Peruzzi, as well as a refreshing joint release from Afrobeat's first family.
Now freshly steping into a new quarter, more artists have announced their project releases for the year. Here are some albums we're looking forward to in Q2.
Olamide - UY Scuti
Last year, the untiring veteran rapper released two projects: the experimental 999 and the critically acclaimed Carpe Diem which birthed monster hits like ‘Loading’, ‘Triumphant’ and ‘Infinity’. Six months later and the 32-year-old is showing no signs of slowing down as he announced the imminent arrival of his ninth studio album, UY Scuti. While there is not much information available on the album just yet, it is expected to be released on the 14th of June.
Tresor - Motions
A couple of weeks ago, the Congolese-born, South African-based multi-hyphenate singer teamed up with the scorpion kings: Kabza De Small and Dj Maphorisa to deliver an enthralling Amapiano album titled Rumble In The Jungle. He’s quickly following up the collaborative effort with his long-awaited fifth solo studio album, Motion. Pre-released singles ‘Dancing with the Moon’, ‘Zwakala’ and ‘Thrill’ perfectly whets the appetite for the full-length album that’s expected to be released on the 25th of June.
KiDi - The Golden Boy
Shortly after bagging the artist of the year at the Ghanian award show, 3Music Awards, high-life and Afrobeats singer, KiDi announced The Golden Boy ー the follow-up to his 2020 EP, Blue. The sleek ‘Spiritual’, the lead single was released earlier in the year which was accompanied by a vibrant, sun-dappled video. It features fellow Ghanian artist, Kuami Eugene and Afro Dancehall singer, Patoranking. The full album is expected on the 17th of June.
Sarkodie - No Pressure
On the 19th of April, Sarkodie shared a short clip on his various social media platforms, teasing his sixth studio album, No Pressure. If the pre-released braggadocious lead single, ‘No Fugazy’ is any indication, expect the album to contain more breezy Afrobeats records. The album is executive produced by Michael Owusu Addo and KJ Spio and it’s expected to be released on the 9th of June.
Mikhale Jones - It Is What It Is
The Johannesburg-based rapper and vocalist, Mikhale Jones is set to release her debut studio album, It Is What It Is. The former member of Christian hip hop collective Unique recently got signed to Afroforce1 and Universal Music who released ‘My Soul’, the lead single from her forthcoming album. The captivating, sleek R&B number perfectly sets the tone for her album set for release on the 20th of August. Following the release of the single, she took to Twitter to reveal the inspiration behind the song: “Just settling into my twenties and having completed
varsity, I was ready to discover my purpose and who I was as an individual. It was scary, I was scared of the unknown because all I knew is that I no longer knew who I was. I became numb as a coping mechanism because the world just didn’t feel like a space to be in. I felt like I was losing my soul.”
Runtown - Signs
Runtown has not revealed much about his upcoming album, Signs, except that it is expected to be released sometime in June. The album is set to be the self-acclaimed Soundgod’s first album in five years and it follows the recently released compilation project, Soundgod Fest Reloaded which features standout tracks like ‘Sativa’, ‘Body Riddim’, ‘Kini Issue’.
Shekhinah - Trouble In Paradise
Since the release of her debut album, the South African singer and songwriter has been relatively quiet, only featuring on a handful of songs. However, last year, she announced the arrival of her sophomore album, Trouble in Paradise which eventually got postponed indefinitely. She has however compensated eager fans with two dazzling singles: ‘Tides’ and ‘Fixate’, the latter of which was accompanied by a short film. While there is still no news about a new release date from Shekhinah, the new singles suggest it’s coming sooner than later.
