As the year winds down, Music Custodian finds itself reflecting on the records that moved culture, sparked conversations, went viral, climbed charts, and ultimately soundtracked our year. Beyond numbers and accolades, these are the albums that lived with us, shaping moments and moods long after release day.
2025 was a defining year for music. Afrobeats, R&B, and their ever-expanding sub-genres blurred boundaries, producing charting anthems, viral hits, and deeply resonant bodies of work that found warmth in digital spaces and soul in new sonic forms. Many songs from these projects not only found homes on our Afrobeats Heat Different playlist updates but also caught the attention of music curators and tastemakers across the ecosystem.
Throughout the year, our Music Custodian Sessions and Custodian Conversations served as intimate spaces to spotlight these sounds—offering context, storytelling, and direct dialogue with the artists shaping today’s culture. Alongside our staple playlists, Afrobeats Heat Different and Custodian Gems, we continued to spotlight exciting and boundary-pushing music across the continent and beyond, amplifying both emerging voices and established acts.
This list goes beyond what dominated timelines or award circuits. It captures the albums we returned to instinctively—the ones that fed our ears, stirred our spirits, and left lasting cultural fingerprints.
This list is deeply personal to us at Music Custodian, curated with no hierarchy or particular order. It is shaped by mood, cultural intelligence, and sonic harmony, reflecting the albums that resonated with us emotionally and culturally throughout the year rather than any rigid ranking or metrics.
FOLA – Catharsis
Catharsis arrives as a quiet revelation from FOLA, a rising voice in Nigeria’s alt-R&B scene. Building on the promise of his 2024 EP What A Feeling, the 11-track debut album blends mid-tempo R&B grooves with emotive storytelling rooted in his Yoruba identity, exploring love, ambition, and desire.
With viral sleeper hits and organically buzzing records, Catharsis not only cements FOLA’s growing influence but also introduces a star fully stepping into the spotlight, confident in the sound that brought him here and ready to claim his place in contemporary Nigerian music.
DAVIDO – 5IVE
Davido’s fifth studio album, 5IVE, arrives as a confident reminder of his global stature and enduring influence within Afrobeats. The 17-track project is rich in range and intention, blending high-energy Afrobeats with R&B, reggaeton, and dancehall, while staying rooted in his African identity.
Driven by viral hits that dominated timelines and dance floors, 5IVE quickly became one of the year’s most culturally resonant releases. Standout records like “Offa Me,” featuring Grammy-winning artist Victoria Monét, and “With You” with Omah Lay highlight the album’s crossover appeal.
With an expansive list of collaborators including Chris Brown, Becky G, Shenseea, Odumodublvck, Musa Keys, and more, 5IVE captures Davido at his most versatile—embracing global sounds while continuing to shape the cultural pulse of Afrobeats worldwide.
BURNA BOY – No Sign of Weakness
Burna Boy’s No Sign of Weakness arrives with the assurance of an artist firmly in control of his legacy. The 16-track album is bold, introspective, and creatively fearless—packed with charting anthems and globally viral records that extended his cultural dominance and ignited conversations across international media.
Featuring standout collaborations with Mick Jagger, Shaboozey, Stromae, and Travis Scott, the project finds the GRAMMY Award–winning icon unpacking power, prayer, love, and affirmation with striking clarity. Sonically, Burna once again stretches Afrofusion across reggae, Brazilian funk, country, and soul, crafting a sound that travels from Lagos to Kingston and Nashville, while remaining unmistakably African at its core.
The album’s momentum is further amplified by the “Change Your Mind” visual with Shaboozey, a cinematic moment that underscores Burna Boy’s global reach and creative intent.
BNXN – Captain
On CAPTAIN, BNXN steps confidently into a new phase of growth and leadership, blending vulnerability with melodic precision. The 16-track sophomore album quickly found love across playlists and social media, with its emotional pull translating into strong streaming momentum and thoughtful press moments.
Led by pre-release standouts like “Phenomena,” “Fi Kan We Kan” featuring Rema, “Cutesy,” and “Very Soon” with FOLA records that together amassed over 185 million streams, CAPTAIN arrives as one of 2025’s most anticipated Nigerian projects. With features from Seyi Vibez, Victony, FOLA, and the Soweto Gospel Choir, the album captures BNXN firmly in command, steering his sound with clarity, confidence, and cultural intent.
TIWA SAVAGE – This One Is Personal
True to its title, This One Is Personal finds Tiwa Savage at her most honest and emotionally exposed. Marking her first full-bodied dive into R&B, the album trades the glossy Afrobeats palette of her past for something rawer and more intimate, allowing her voice, pen, and lived experiences to take center stage.
Across fifteen tracks, Tiwa moves fluidly through R&B’s many expressions—soul balladry, trap-soul, jazz-leaning experiments, and confessional moments—delivering viral standouts and crossover-ready records that resonated widely. Paired with revealing interview moments, the project reaffirmed why Tiwa Savage remains one of Africa’s most influential voices, unafraid to strip it all back and let the music speak.
OLAMIDE – Olamidé
Olamidé’s self-titled 11th studio album arrives as a reflection of legacy and personal artistry. The 17-track project blends streetwise bravado with fleeting romance and familiar themes that have defined his career, while notable collaborations kept the album in conversation across charts and communities.
Though Olamidé offers viral-ready street records and features high-profile artists like Wizkid and Darkoo, the project’s loose structure and uneven cohesion make it feel more like a collection of moments than a fully realized narrative. Still, the album underscores Olamidé’s enduring presence in Nigerian rap and his ability to spark cultural dialogue with every release.
RUGER – Blown Boy RU
Ruger’s sophomore album, Blown Boy RU, confidently cements his star power while expanding his globally adored Afrodancehall sound. The 13-track project fuses Afrobeats and dancehall with infectious hooks and bold storytelling, featuring Tiwa Savage, Kranium, Zlatan, and Haile.
A MOBO ’25 nominee and Spotify Artist to Watch 2025, Ruger delivers viral-ready moments and strong international fan engagement, reinforcing his crossover appeal. While his signature energy remains intact, Blown Boy RU signals clear artistic growth, cementing his status as one of Nigeria’s most in-demand global talents.
ODEAL – The Fall That Saved Us
Odeal’s The Fall That Saved Us opens a new chapter in his evolving sound, exploring love’s shifting landscapes across nine introspective tracks. Building on the momentum of his summer project, The Summer That Saved Me, this album moves with a calmer, reflective edge, highlighted by a standout collaboration with Wizkid on “Nights In The Sun.”
2025 has been a defining year for Odeal, marked by major accolades, global recognition from BET and Billboard, and even nods from Justin Bieber. With his collective OVMBR continuing to resonate across borders, The Fall That Saved Us positions Odeal as an undeniable force in contemporary Afrobeats, blending cinematic storytelling with emotional depth.
LOJAY – XOXO
XOXO captures Lojay at his most vulnerable and refined, blending romantic anthems with modern Afrobeats and R&B sensibilities. The 14-track album features standout moments like “Memories” with Feid, “Shiver,” “Suru,” and the P.Priime-produced closer “Alright,” all of which resonated widely across social platforms and playlists.
Lojay’s debut also showcases a strong creative team, including P.Priime, Black Culture, Louddaaa, TSB, Sarz, and SKY, crafting a cohesive sound that solidifies his position as one of the genre’s most exciting emerging voices.
ADEKUNLE GOLD – Fuji
Adekunle Gold’s Fuji is a masterclass in cultural fusion, blending tradition and modernity while showcasing his evolving sonic identity. The 15-track album delivers viral-ready records like “Bobo” featuring Lojay & Shoday, “Coco Money,” and the reflective outro “Obimo.” single like, “Believe,” samples the 70s classic Just the Two of Us by Bill Withers & Grover Washington Jr., while “Coco Money” nods to Rihanna’s Btch Better Have My Money*, hinting at more iconic sampling throughout the project.
With Fuji, Adekunle Gold carries his roots into the future, merging Lagos life, global heritage, and reinvention—proving that this project is not about nostalgia, but about evolving his artistry while staying true to the core of Nigerian music.
WIZARD CHAN – Healers Chapel
With Healers Chapel, Wizard Chan offers a soulful, introspective journey into redemption and solace. The album’s reflective storytelling and warm, meditative soundscapes resonate deeply, earning cult-like appreciation and sparking meaningful cultural conversations. Healers Chapel continues his artistic trajectory, delivering songs that soothe, inspire reflection, and restore the spirit.
BLAQBONEZ – No Excuses
Blaqbonez’s No Excuses marks a confident chapter in his rise, blending sharp lyricism with viral-ready production to secure his legacy rather than chase trends. The album fuses rap, Afrobeats, and experimental sounds, featuring standout collaborations with Phyno, Olamide, Bella Shmurda, Pa Salieu, and AJ Tracey, while producers like Jae5 and Blaisebeatz give it global polish.
From the hard-hitting celebration of success on “Consistency” with AJ Tracey to the inventive, game-inspired “Aura 4 Aura” and the fiery diss track “ACL,” No Excuses showcases Blaqbonez at his fearless, witty best—an artist who commands attention effortlessly while staying true to his battle-rap roots.
JOEBOY – Viva La Vida
Joeboy’s Viva La Vida—“Live Life”—captures his philosophy of freedom, self-awareness, and inner peace amidst life’s unpredictability. The 14-track album delivers feel-good hits like “Taxi Driver,” “SMH,” “Adenuga” featuring Qing Madi, and the globally acclaimed “Osadebe,” which has surpassed 10 million Spotify streams.
The project is accompanied by a visually striking video for lead single “Free of Charge” with Olamidé, blending neon-lit cityscapes and sun-drenched deserts to amplify themes of love and luxury. With infectious tracks thriving on radio, TikTok, and playlists, Viva La Vida showcases Joeboy as a mature artist embracing longevity and joy in equal measure.
TIM LYRE – Spiral
Tim Lyre’s Spiral is a genre-fluid journey that blends Afrobeats, neo-soul, highlife, and hip-hop with lyrical introspection and layered storytelling. The 16-track album mirrors life’s emotional highs and lows, from dreamy tracks like “Miles” and “Rocketship” to reflective collaborations such as “Pot Of Gold” (ft. Joshua Baraka) and “Losing My Mind” (ft. Binta).
With contributions from Moelogo, Show Dem Camp, BOJ, and Manana, Spiral showcases Tim’s evolution as both vocalist and storyteller, balancing experimental flair with emotional resonance to captivate listeners across Africa and the UK.
AYO MAFF – Prince of the Street
With Prince of the Street, Ayo Maff channels raw Lagos street narratives into infectious, culturally resonant anthems. The album’s viral hits and grassroots support reflect his unfiltered storytelling, capturing the hopes, struggles, and resilience of his community.
Ayo Maff’s debut positions him as a leading voice in the new wave of Street-Pop, blending versatility with authentic energy that resonates from local streets to global stages.
FALZ – The Feast
Falz’s The Feast is both reflective and celebratory, blending socially conscious commentary with playful satire. Over 12 tracks, he stretches across genres, delivering sharp wordplay, storytelling, and bold perspectives that reinforce his role as one of Nigeria’s most thoughtful musical commentators.
From tracks inspired by activism to genre-spanning hits, The Feast showcases Falz’s versatility, inviting listeners to a full-course experience of his artistry—one that entertains, provokes thought, and continues his legacy of socially engaged music.
ODUMODUBLVCK – Industry Machine
Odumodublvck’s Industry Machine is unapologetically disruptive, cementing his status as a defining voice in Nigerian hip-hop. The 23-track album, featuring 23 guests from Lagos to London and spanning Afrobeat to Drill, showcases his viral bars, bold storytelling, and relentless energy.
Preceded by the record-breaking intro single “INDUSTRY MACHINE” and teasers like “BIG TIME” with Wizkid and “2 PEOPLE” ft. Cash Cobain, the album arrived on the back of one of Nigeria’s most ambitious rollouts. From football tie-ins to the “The Machine Is Coming” project, Odumodublvck built anticipation with precision. Industry Machine is both a sprawling opus and a testament to his audacity, proving he knows exactly how to command attention while delivering on high expectations.
AMARAE – Black Star
With Black Star, Amaarae blurs the lines of global pop, blending baile funk, house, and dance-driven sounds with her signature soprano and offbeat pop sensibility. The album’s viral hits, fashion-forward visuals, and international acclaim cement her as a global cultural force. Black Star is both a celebration of diasporic dance music and a high-fashion statement of identity and pleasure, arriving at a moment when Amaarae’s international momentum is unmistakable.
PERUZZI – Sabali
Peruzzi’s Sabali blends introspection and groove, reaffirming his place at the emotional core of Afrobeats. The fourth studio album—titled after the Bambara word for “calm endurance”—showcases his melodic consistency and viral love songs while reflecting a period of quiet reflection and artistic clarity.
Known for his decade-long songwriting prowess, Peruzzi emerges with Sabali as a self-assured statement, navigating doubt and industry turbulence to deliver an album rich in collaborations, genre versatility, and emotional depth.
OBONG JAYAR – Paradise Now
Ogbongyar’s Paradise Now offers escapism through lush, kaleidoscopic soundscapes. The 15-track sophomore album explores identity, self-love, and truthfulness across genres—from grungy Afrobeat (“Sweet Danger”) to post-disco funk (“Not in Surrender”), baile funk (“Holy Mountain”), and soul (“Moon Eyes”).
With playlist-ready records and evocative performances, Ogbongyar delivers a mature, introspective project that resonates with curators, alternative music lovers, and the digital generation, proving once again that the voice is his ultimate instrument.
SHOWDEM CAMP – Afrika Magik
Show Dem Camp’s Afrika Magik is a cinematic, Nollywood-inspired exploration of African creativity, resilience, and memory. The 17-track album blends emo-R&B duets with artists like Tems, Lusanda, and Mereba, as well as Naija Gbedu and Street Hop flows, and House-infused experiments featuring Moonchild Sanelly.
Viral fan reactions and sharp lyricism keep the duo at the forefront of Nigeria’s alternative rap scene, delivering a pan-African musical journey that reflects both their evolution and the vibrant diversity of contemporary sounds.
SEYI VIBEZ – Fuji Moto
Seyi Vibez’s Fuji Moto channels raw emotion and street spirituality, solidifying his place as one of the year’s most impactful street artists. Following Children of Africa, this album stretches beyond his street-hop roots, delivering melodic, soulful, and uplifting tracks that traverse heartbreak, romance, sensuality, and perseverance.
With his signature cracked, commanding voice, Seyi Vibez crafts a world that feels both personal and universal—Lagos, London, and Tokyo all speaking the same tongue. Fuji Moto is a deliberate, immersive statement from an artist fully stepping into himself, offering a soundtrack for life’s defining moments.
MAYORKUN – Still The Mayor
Mayorkun’s Still The Mayor marks a confident return, completing a sonic trilogy that began with The Mayor of Lagos and continued with Back in Office. The 12-track album blends vibrant Afropop party anthems with mellow R&B cuts, featuring collaborators like Fireboy DML, Rotimi, Dremo, The Flowolf, Michii, King Promise, and Olivetheboy.
With catchy singles, crossover appeal, and charismatic interviews, Mayorkun reaffirms his hitmaking prowess and pop culture relevance. Standouts like “Diamonds,” “Would You,” and “Blessings on Blessings” highlight his versatility, making Still The Mayor an enjoyable journey through love, success, and self-expression while solidifying his place at the forefront of Afropop.
THE CAVEMEN – Cavy in the City
The Cavemen’s Cavy in the City brings highlife into modern conversation, blending timeless melodies, live instrumentation, and heartfelt lyricism with urban energy. The highly anticipated third studio album, featuring a standout single with UK-Gambian rapper Pa Salieu, reinforces the duo’s role as global ambassadors of African sound.
Building on the acclaim of Roots and Love and Highlife, Cavy in the City celebrates tradition while pushing highlife forward, bridging ancestral rhythms with today’s vibrant cityscapes and reaffirming the genre’s enduring relevance on the global stage.
BELLA SHMURDA – Sanity
Bella Shmurda’s Sanity marks a reflective, creatively evolved chapter in his journey. No longer chasing success, he delivers a 16-track album that blends Fuji, Apala, Afropop, and street pop, balancing tradition with forward-thinking ambition.
Deeply personal and socially aware, Sanity resonates through heartfelt records that earned praise for vulnerability and cultural honesty. Featuring a cross-continental lineup including Ckay, King Promise, Seyi Vibez, Fola, K1 De Ultimate, Musiliu Ishola, Joshua Baraka, Kunmie, and T.I Blaze, the album bridges generations and genres, cementing Bella’s place as a matured voice in contemporary Nigerian music.
SPINALL – Eko Groove
Spinall’s Èkó Groove is a vibrant celebration of Lagos energy, blending DJ-driven Afrobeats, city rhythms, and global collaborations. Featuring artists like Tyla and Dre, the album merges rattling shakers, brass, and bright guitars with samples from Ayinde Bakare, weaving Lagos’ history into a modern soundscape.
A tribute and statement in one, Èkó Groove reaffirms Spinall’s legacy as a groove curator, capturing the chaos, rhythm, and vibrancy of the city while pushing his sound into new international territory.
YOUNG JONN – Blue Disco
Blue Disco marks Young Jonn’s evolution from producer to pop star, delivering an emotionally rich and globally resonant sophomore album. Built on textured rhythms, masterful production, and unfiltered lyrics, the project balances danceable energy with introspective depth.
Amid its celebratory beats, Blue Disco reflects personal growth and resilience, transforming turbulence into art. With viral singles and strong streaming numbers, the album cements Young Jonn’s solo journey as one of the defining Afropop releases of the year.
LITTLE SIMZ – Lotus
With Lotus, Little Simz delivers lyrical brilliance and emotional transparency, earning global acclaim and crossover respect in hip-hop and alternative music. Her sixth studio album is a 13-track journey into personal evolution, marked by vulnerability, introspection, and expansive sonic exploration.
Collaborating with talents like Moses Sumney, Sampha, Obongjayar, and Moonchild Sanelly, Lotus breaks boundaries, blending diverse musical styles into a cohesive, deeply human narrative that reaffirms Little Simz as one of the UK’s most innovative artists.
GYAKIE – After Midnight
After Midnight captures Gyakie at her most intimate and emotionally resonant. The 17-track debut album explores love, healing, self-discovery, and vulnerability, showcasing her evolution from the 2022 MY DIARY EP into a fully realized artist.
With standout collaborations featuring 6LACK, Kojey Radical, Headie One, Shatta Wale, and Omar Sterling, Gyakie blends Afro-R&B, highlife, and alternative sounds, anchored by her soulful vocals and poignant storytelling. After Midnight firmly establishes her as one of Africa’s most compelling female voices, inviting listeners into her inner world with grace and honesty.
MADE KUTI – Chapter 1: Where Does Happiness Come From
Made Kuti’s Chapter 1: Where Does Happiness Come From? is a bold, politically charged debut that firmly establishes him as a vital voice in contemporary African music. The 13-track album, fully written and co-produced by Made, showcases his lead vocals and trumpet mastery while blending traditional Afrobeats with jazz and calypso influences, reflecting his classical training at London’s Trinity Laban Conservatoire.
Lyrically, Made moves seamlessly between personal reflection and sharp social commentary—questioning leadership, government failures, and material excess, while exploring self-growth and hope. Chapter 1 marks a new era for Made Kuti, asserting his independent creative vision while honouring the Kuti family legacy.
As we turn the page on 2025, these projects stand as a reminder of why we listen so closely in the first place. Each album on this list carried its own weight—some loud and dominant, others gentle and reflective—but all of them found a way to stay with us, long after the first play. Together, they tell the story of a year where artistry thrived, boundaries softened, and music continued to mirror our lives in the most honest ways.
Now, we want to hear from you.
Which album owned your year? Which project did you return to the most, sing the loudest, or sit with in quiet moments?
Join the conversation in the comments and tell us your favourite album released in 2025.
