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Top 10 Best Afrobeats Album Released in 2023
From the iconic “Timeless” by Davido to the Memorable “Blessed” by MoBhad, here are the top 10 best Afrobeats albums released in 2023.
The year 2023 was a great year for Afrobeat as the genre attained a new height in its quest for global domination. Lovers of the genre have also been bombarded with various albums from superstars and stakeholders responsible for pushing the genre into the international scene. From the iconic “Timeless” by Davido to the Memorable “Blessed” by MoBhad, here are the top 10 best Afrobeats albums released in 2023.
1. Rave and Roses Ultra – Rema
Rema dominated the international and local industry, with his Rave and Roses Ultra. The album was released on 28 April 2023, as the deluxe version of Rave Roses (2022). The album contains, Calm Down ft Selena Gomez, a global hit song charted in several countries worldwide, spending more than an entire year on the Billboard Hot 100.
Other notable tracks on the album include “Soundgasm”, “Charm” “Reason You” and many more. The album charted in numerous countries including the United Kingdom, the United States Belgium, and Canada. It has also been certified Gold or Higher in four countries including Poland, France, and Canada.
The International and local success of Rave and Roses Places it Number spot of the best Afrobeats albums released in 2023.
2. Work of Art – Asake
Work of Art is the second studio album by Nigerian singer Asake and one of the best Afrobeat albums released in 2023. The album was released on 16 June 2023 through YBNL Nation and Empire Distribution. Preceded by the release of the singles “Yoga”, “2:30” and
The album features 14 tracks, with a sole guest appearance from Olamide who was featured on “Amapiano”. Tracks like “Lonely at the Top” and “Amapiano” dominated airwaves across Nigeria. Internationally, Work Of Art debuted in the United States, The United Kingdom, and Ireland’s Official Music Chart
2. Boy Alone Deluxe – Omah Lay
The Deluxe version of Omah Lay’s debut album, Boy Alone is no doubt one of the best Afrobeats albums released in 2023. The album was released on the 15th of June 2023, through the KeyQaad Record label, and 6 additional tracks that were not on the original version of the album.
The album contains numerous hit tracks like “Soso”, “Reason” “Understand” “I am Mess” and “Attention” all of which dominated the Airwaves in Nigeria and Abroad Internationally, the Album debuted in France, Netherlands, and Switzerland Official music charts. Three songs off the album have also been certified in Canada.
4. Timeless – Davido
Multiple award-winning superstar, Davido made a mindblowing comeback with his Fourth Studio album, Timeless. The album was released on March 31, 2023, through Davido Music Worldwide, Columbia Records, and Sony Music Entertainment. The Album charted in over 7 countries including the United States and the United Kingdom
Timeless comprises 17 tracks and features collaborations with Skepta, Angelique Kidjo, Asake, Focalistic, and The Cavemen, among others. The album featured international hit tracks like “Feel” “Kante” “Champion Sound” and “Unavailable”. The album was nominated at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Global Music Album.
Timeless is no doubt Davido’s most successful album and one of the best Afrobeats albums released in 2023.
5. I Told Them… – Burna Boy
I Told Them… is the seventh studio album by Nigerian singer Burna Boy and one of the best Afrobeats albums released in 223. It was released on 25 August 2023 through Atlantic, Spaceship Records, and Bad Habit. The album features guest appearances from 21 Savage, Dave, Seyi Vibez, J. Cole, GZA RZA, and Byron Messia.
I Told Them… charted in over 12 countries including the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. It also contains international hit songs like “City Boys”, and “Cheat on Me” featuring Dave, and Taliban II with with Byron Messia. The albums earned Burna Boy four nominations at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards
6. Vibe Till thy Kingdom Come – Seyi Vibes
Vibe Till Thy Kingdom Come is the third studio album by Nigerian street-pop singer Seyi Vibez and one of the best albums released in 2023. It was released on 8 June 2023 through Vibez Inc and Dvpper Music. The album includes guest appearances from Young Jonn, Jibrille, Russ, and Focalistic.
The album debuted at number one on Nigeria’s TurnTable official album chart. It also contained hit tracks like “Hat-trick”, “Amdallah” and “Dejavu”, all of which dominated the local airwave and charts”Hat-trick” debuted at number two on TurnTable Nigeria’s official Top 100 songs chart.
7. Emeka Must Shine – Blaq Bonez
Emeka Must Shine is Blaq Bonez’s third studio album and one of the best Afrobeats albums released in 2023. The album was released on the 27th of October 2023 through Chocolate City Music. It featured 14 tracks and guest appearances from Odumodu Blvck, Young John, Ludacris, Victony, and a few others.
The album was released to critical acclaim, dominating streaming platforms and char. It also features hit tracks such as “Like Ice Spice” “Bezoz” Nyem Ego” featuring Jeriq, Dollerz featuring Odumodu Blvck, No Sleep $$$ featuring young John, all of which dominated the airwaves and chart in Nigeria.
8. EZIOKWU – Odumodu Blvck
EZIOKWU is the fifth mixtape album by Nigerian rapper Odumodublvck. It was released on 6 October 2023 by NATIVE Records, and Def Jam, through UMG in partnership with The Native Networks. It features guest appearances from Amaarae, Blaqbonez, Wale, Bloody Civilian, Fireboy DML, Reeplay, Teezee, PsychoYP, Bella Shmurda, Cruel Santino, ECko Miles, and Zlatan.
EZIOKWU debuted at number 1 in Nigeria’s Top 50 Albums, with 8,130 equivalent album units; with 12.2 million on-demand streaming activity on the week of 6 October to 12 October. It also contains hit songs such as Declan Rice, “DOG EAT DOG II” BLOOD ON THE DANCE FLOOR” and many more.
9. Trench to Triumph – Crayon
Crayon’s debut album, Trench to Triumph, grabs the ninth spot among the best Afrobeats albums released in 2023. The album was released 21st of July 2023 through Mavin Global Holdings and Blow Time Entertainment. It featured 13 tracks and numerous guest artists such as Ayra Starr, Victony, Maggixx, Oxlade, and others.
Like other albums on this list, Trench to Triumph contains hit songs that dominated the Nigerian and international airwaves such as Ijo Laba Laba, Ngozi with Ayra Starr The One (Chop Life) with the Yaba Buluku Boyz
10. Blessed – MoBhad
Mohbad’s first EP, after leaving Marlian Records World, Blessed was released in June 2023 under his own label, Imolenization. The eight songs on the 20-minute EP featured Nigerian artists Zlatan and Bella Shmurda, The album charted at number one on Apple Music in Nigeria and attained more prominence after his death.
The extended play contains hit tracks like “Ask About Me,” “Beast & Peace,” and “Feel Good”, all of which dominated local airwaves and streaming platform charts. On 18 September 2023, Blessed reached a new peak at number four, on the Nigerian Official Top 50 Albums chart.
Notable Mentions
- Sincerely, Benson – Bnxn
- Body & Soul – Joeboy
- Unruly – Olamide
- Tears of the Sun – Teni