From highly anticipated projects from the world’s biggest stars, to debuts from slept-on artists you might’ve not heard of, here’s what we can’t wait to listen to in 2025.
The haze of the holidays is well in our rear view, and we’re getting into the thick of 2025. The year has started off on a heavy note between the attack in New Orleans, the explosion in Las Vegas, and the wildfires in Urban Pitch’s hometown of Los Angeles.
Where do so many of us turn to in times of tragedy? Music.
Music helps us feel and process our emotions. It reminds us we are not alone in our pain and sadness. It uplifts us and gives us hope. It allows us an escape.
Last year, we were hyped to get music from Vince Staples, Doechii, Ghetts, Rapsody and, of course, Kendrick Lamar. With K. Dot running the rap game, the Galaxy winning the MLS Cup, and the Dodgers winning the World Series, the City of Angels was clearly on top of the world.
This year, will the West Coast go back-to-back in its music domination? Or will the hype surrounding albums from British artists (both that have actually been announced and those that are wishful thinking) take the crown? Will an underdog city like Memphis or Denver make the biggest statement? We will have to wait and see.
Here are the albums we are most anticipating in 2025:
A$AP Rocky — Don’t Be Dumb
We don’t actually know if A$AP Rocky’s Don’t Be Dumb album is ever coming. It was due out last fall, but the Harlem multi-hyphenate pushed back the release date, saying he was waiting on sample clearances. He even took the time to interact with fans on X/Twitter, assuring them that the wait will be worth it. But then, in November, there were reports that vinyl orders for Don’t Be Dumb were canceled and refunded.
Lord Pretty Flacko Jodye hasn’t released an album since 2018’s controversial Testing, and he’s hinted that this new project is also experimental. He said he’s inspired by German film noire and supposedly has Tyler, The Creator and Morrissey on the album along with production from Pharrell, Mike Dean, Madlib and Metro Boomin.
We appreciate that Rocky has embraced fatherhood and fashion — and apparently football as he’s reported to be part of the new ownership group purchasing English club Tranmere Rovers FC. But we would greatly appreciate some new music from him, too.
Joy Crookes — Something?
Joy Crookes just released music for the first time since her critically-acclaimed 2021 album, Skin. It was a clever single called “Pass the Salt” about battling jealous haters. Get it, saltiness? It had a stellar guest feature from one of our favorites, Vince Staples, and a throbbing bass line.
Crookes captured fans with Skin because of her smooth-yet-gravelly voice and her jazzy soundscapes. “When You Were Mine” and “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now” were especially popular.
While fans weren’t exactly promised a new album, the official press release for the song said that the British soul singer did have more coming in 2025. One would hope that four years away from the mic would be enough time to formulate and record a full-length project.
AmirSaysNothing — Something?
We are super hyped for what AmirSaysNothing has on deck for 2025. The Los Angeles-based artist last released a full album in 2021 with Endless Brightside. He had some A-list guests on some heavy-hitting tracks, including the Mike Shinoda-produced “Clockwatch” and Slug-assisted “Victory Loves Company.” But besides the impressive guests, AmirSaysNothing proved he’s a star on his own with tracks like the uplifting “R&R.”
He’s been far from silent in the four years since the album with a slew of singles and the funky “King (Like Me)/Protect My Neck” EP with K-Wash. On New Year’s Eve, he announced that he worked on his new album all throughout last year and that it is officially done. If you are someone who thinks the rap game has been boring and watered down, stay tuned to what AmirSaysNothing has on deck because his wordplay and experimentation with production always keeps listeners on their toes.
Mereba — The Breeze Grew A Fire
If you’re not familiar with Mereba, she is most-known for her appearance on “Yo Love” with Vince Staples and 6LACK from the Queen & Slim soundtrack. It’s a crooning song that is guaranteed to get you in the feels. She had J.I.D on her popular track “Sandstorm” and her 2019 debut album The Jungle is the Only Way Out is critically acclaimed. Her voice is silky smooth and all of her music is simply mesmerizing.
Her sophomore effort, The Breeze Grew a Fire, is due out on Valentine’s Day. Her record label says the project will explore her life as an artist and mother and how she’s learned to navigate various relationships while staying in tune with herself. The lead single, “Counterfeit,” is snappy and ethereal with a call to embrace authenticity. We cannot wait for the full project.
E.M.E — Something?
The newest Afrobeats sensation is E.M.E, a Denver-based artist who is making a splash locally and in his home country of Nigeria. Last year, he released the reflective singles “One Day” and “WAR.” On the latter, E.M.E masterfully shares his emotions and ponders current tragedies. But he also has songs like “Drago,” which is a whole vibe and is all about self-confidence.
Earlier this month, he posted on Instagram that his debut album is, indeed, coming in June. Believers rejoice! (That’s what he calls his fanbase.)
Burna Boy canceled his Denver tour stop in 2023, but there is hope for the vibrant genre in the Mile High City because E.M.E is carrying the torch.
Skepta — Knife and Fork
We are ready for a new Skepta album. The Grime OG announced Knife and Fork a year ago and fans were buzzing. It will be his first full-length project since 2019’s Ignorance is Bliss, which was a perfect balance of braggadocio and reflectiveness.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s “Murder on the Dance Floor” saw a revival last year when it was used in the closing scene of Saltburn, But Skepta did it first when he sampled the dance hit on “Love Me Not.” The whole album, which included “Bullet From a Gun,” “No Sleep,” “Glow in the Dark” and “You Wish,” is still in heavy rotation. It showed that Joseph Adenuga is still one of the best in the rap game, but also has grown to embrace a vulnerable side.
That’s what makes us even more eager to listen to Knife and Fork. We want to see how Skepta has developed his artistry even further. The first single was “Gas Me Up (Diligent),” which was the full length song of a fan-favorite clip that he posted on Instagram. Only Big Smoke (okay, maybe Kanye too) can veritably spit lines like, “Your taste level is my waste (waist) level/You ain’t ever heard of the wine I’m sippin’” and “I told him it cost to be the boss and to be this fly is the same expense/And we just went triple platinum, check the digits.” Anyone else would be dismissed for being all talk, but not Skepta. And that airy Cardo Got Wings beat is *chef’s kiss.*
We don’t know much else about Knife and Fork — except that maybe it’s now called Fork and Knife? — but we are ready to feast.
ATM Danny — Something?
ATM Danny made a splash in the soccer world last year with “Trophie’d Up,” his Los Angeles Galaxy anthem. He got to perform the song at halftime of a playoff match and cheered on the Galaxy to another MLS Cup win.
The Salvadoran artist had his foot on the gas last year with the “Mr. Up To Something” EP and the Lift Off mixtape, in addition to his footy-inspired anthem. He has no plans of letting up in 2025, including another full-length project.
Dave — Something?
OK, so we all saw the photos of Dave working in a tropical destination studio set-up, right? He said that the images didn’t mean anything regarding new music. BUT we can dream…
Santan Dave’s last album was the masterfully-crafted We’re All Alone in This Together back in 2021, and fans have been begging him for another album ever since. He’s just one of those artists where everything he touches is gold.
He hasn’t left us completely starving and whetted the appetite with the “Split Decision” EP, a collaboration with Central Cee. The project featured the megahit “Sprinter” and, if anything, makes us want music from Dave that much more.
The last update is from September where he tweeted (or posted on X, if we’re being technical) that he’s “only been working on it nine or so months…” His music is clearly his baby.
And with his Manchester United playing historically bad, maybe he can channel his emotions into his music? Just please don’t keep us waiting too much longer!
Key Glock — Glockaveli
Key Glock’s “Let’s Go” was everywhere in the sports world in 2024. The choir sample paired with the booming 808s made for the perfect anthem. The Memphis rapper is ready to take his artistry to the next level with his new album, Glockaveli, which is due out in February. It seems to be a tribute to 2Pac and his Makaveli persona. Pac’s last album featured some of the best songs in his discography, including “To Live and Die in L.A.,” “Me and My Girlfriend” and, of course, “Hail Mary.”
Those are big shoes to fill, but Key Glock has really grown into his own and will be representing more than the great West Coast artist. He’s also carrying the torch for the late Young Dolph and his Paper Route Empire legacy.
At’Eaze — Something?
Denver rapper At’Eaze has made a name for himself with lyricism, elite production, and a sprinkling of spirituality. He has three projects under his belt, including the West Coast-infused “Eazy Back” EP, which he dropped in May. The project featured the bouncy “Up The Ladder” with some fun wordplay like, “Fly like I got wings/Sean Evans, we the Hot Ones.” Then there’s the melodic “Movin Up,” the reflective “Back To Me,” and a bit of boom-bap with the smooth flow of “Whats Understood.”
He is taking that momentum and putting it into an album due out this summer.
Central Cee — Can’t Rush Greatness
It’s weird to think that Central Cee hasn’t actually released an album yet. Between the hit single “Doja,” the aforementioned “Split Decision” EP with Dave, and then his popular mixtape 23, it feels like Cench has been around for a while.
Despite only releasing a sprinkling of music since 23, which dropped in 2022, Central Cee and his signature rose gold has been everywhere. And that includes the soccer world too. In November, the British MC collaborated with Paris Saint-Germain for the club’s pink third kit, and also appeared with Cole Palmer in Chelsea’s Wrap Up Warm campaign to help people in need throughout the winter. Of course, he filmed his “Straight Back To It” video at Stamford Bridge, and was also featured in the FIFA EA FC 25 soundtrack.
Central Cee’s debut album, Can’t Rush Greatness, is due out January 24. The tracklist hasn’t been confirmed yet, but it’s likely the popular single “BAND4BAND” will be on there and perhaps “One By One,” which he performed for Colors. While some might argue that Central Cee is already one of the greats of our generation — he was named one of British GQ’s Men of the Year last year with an introduction from Skepta — we are looking forward to seeing how he defines the term in his own timing.
