The new year always presents new opportunities to start afresh and aim for something big. A time to reflect and strategies, ready to go again. 2025 once again presents a new opportunity for Afrobeats to advance its reach across the globe and our superstars are not playing with it.
Nearing the tail end of 2024, many artists have provided more clarity with updates as regards their projects. Not less than 10 projects have been pushed to 2025, most notably Davido’s “5ive”, Omah Lay’s “Clarity of Mind”, Odumodublvck’s “Industry Machine”, A-Q’s “God’s Engineering”, Sarz’s “Protect Sarz At All Cost” and many more.
Confirmed 2025 projects 💽💜
— Purp Kulture (@purpkulture) January 1, 2025
Burna Boy – No Sign Of Weakness album
Davido – 5ive album
Kizz Daniel – Uncle K album
Omah Lay – Clarity Of Mind album
Ruger – Why Always Ru album
BNXN – Sleep On Who? album
Seyi Vibez – Son Of Amdallah album
ODUMODUBLVCK – The Industry Machine… pic.twitter.com/AsBhFjEAKf
Not only are projects futuristic, but some projects have Kick-started the year fantastically. Oluwa Millar’s “Agbalagbi” got Hip-Hop ready for the year, Qing Madi’s “I Am the Blueprint” was one of the most anticipated releases through the month, as the 18-year-old went solo on our debut album. TML Vibez & Dj 4kerty renewed their “Pawon Boy” project with five additional songs on its deluxe version.
This year is set to be a stacked one in terms of quality projects, as we hope that it can come close to the standard we had in 2020, which still remains one of the best years in terms of projects in Nigeria. That said, even older superstars Tiwa Savage and Olamide both teased new projects with the latter announcing the impending “Ikigai, Vol 2” and the former revealing that her next one “is a very personal one”.This has sparked joy amongst fans who are getting ready to feed on these projects.
Confirmed features so far on Davido’s ‘5ive’ album 🔜
— Purp Kulture (@purpkulture) January 31, 2025
• Omah Lay
• Victony
• ODUMODUBLVCK
• Chike
• YG Marley
🗓️: 14th March, 2025. pic.twitter.com/KALzwn5rcu
While the month was a very eventful one, Davido announced Omah Lay and Victony will be guests on his “5ive” album, with a DJ Maphorisa collab hinted much later on. Odumodublvck as well confirmed the appearance of Skepta and Victony on his highly anticipated “Industry Machine” project. Also, let’s not forget that Seyi Vibez is back. The superstar who went incognito for a while also hinted that he has got something coming for us. The next months are about to get brazy, and we are all set.
Enough of project talks. In January, France became the capital for Afrobeats music, with numerous artists pulling up to the French capital for various occasions that seemed to coincide with themselves. First, Davido, Omah Lay, Victony, Joeboy and many more acts made appearances at the Paris Fashion Week, then Shallipopi joined Omah Lay and Victony to perform at the Kid Super AW25 show. Also, Davido was a guest at the NBA Paris Games 2025.
Omah Lay, Shallipopi & Victony at the KidSuper AW25 show. 🇫🇷💜 pic.twitter.com/QvrkAQbTdv
— Purp Kulture (@purpkulture) January 25, 2025
We are so familiar with moments like these that when Afrobeats superstars are gathered together in a location, we expect the vibes, top notch fashion, designers on fleek and breathtaking performances. In the spirit of coming together, the most prestigious Nigerian award is back in 2025. Since the last ceremony in September 2023 in the United States, the award ceremony returns to Nigeria with two editions scheduled for 2025.
The first edition which highlights the July 2023 – June 2024 as its year in review is scheduled to hold on April 5th. Also, the second edition is scheduled much later for December 2025 which will highlight the industry from July 2024 – June 2025, as the culture does. It’s about good times again, as Afrobeats celebrates itself. Also, Trace Awards nominees were released with Asake, Ayra Starr, Rema, Burna Boy bagging not less than 5 nominations apiece.
The 17th Headies Award returns to Nigeria this year! 🏆💜
— Purp Kulture (@purpkulture) January 28, 2025
• 5th April, 2025 (2024 edition)
• December, 2025 (2025 edition)
— Nominees list for the 17th Headies set to drop on the 12th of February. pic.twitter.com/xIguI7VAjR
We will not go on without mentioning our fantastic achievement. PurpKulture turned FOUR on January 15th. It’s an extraordinary achievement being one of the major forces pushing the Afrobeats boundary and setting the standard for accurate media reporting. We are so proud of ourselves and everyone on the team. To honor that milestone, renowned Afrobeats Head, Kevin Asaju shed spotlight on four A&Rs transforming the scene.
4 years of Purp, 4 years of you all supporting the Kulture. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey, let’s keep pushing boundaries together!
— Purp Kulture (@purpkulture) January 15, 2025
Love always 💜 pic.twitter.com/hoV2QFLa4Y
January gave us more highlights, and as it comes to a close, it was important to celebrate pivotal moments in Afrobeats going global. Burna Boy’s critically acclaimed project “Outside” turned seven, and it brought back refreshing memories. Records like “Ye” and “Heaven’s Gate” received multiple mentions. Also, Wizkid began to announce his highly anticipated tour for “Morayo” with the European legs pushed out first having stops in Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin.
January provided a crazy moment that we love and typifies the Afrobeats moment. With much more foresight already of what February offers, we can tell that it’s going to be a notch up better than January, and we are here for all of it.
1️⃣ 4 A&Rs shaping the future of African Music: w/ Kevin Asaju 💜 https://t.co/OyxYfKHleR pic.twitter.com/e5znR0bWyg
— Purp Kulture (@purpkulture) January 15, 2025
We hope you are too! Keep rocking with us at PurpKulture.
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