As 2022 beckons, there is more than a myriad things to look forward to. Among those, obviously, is all the new music slated for release in the year, whether already-announced or just merely predicted. As the the world continues to open up, with artistes now being able to tour, expect lots of your favorites to dole out new material. Here are some of the most anticipated album releases of 2022.
Beyonce
True fans of the Queen Bey are well abreast with the fact that the music powerhouse has not churned new solo material since 2016’s critically-acclaimed Lemonade, if you do not factor in the Lion King and Black is King soundtrack. Still, the superstar made the biggest strides in her enviable music career yet after being the first woman to headline Coachella, the female artistes with the most Grammy wins (28). Her work in The Lion King and Black is King has been rightfully revered too. While she has typically remained mum on her next album – her 7th – the Beyhive waits with bated breath for what the Queen has underway. Will she pull of her 2013 self-titled album era and shake the world with an unannounced release? No one really knows, because when you are the Queen Bey, you can do whatever. Currently, Be Alive, the King Richard movie anthem sang by her is up for Best Original Song in a Motion Picture at next year’s Golden Globes, scoring her a 4th career nomination at the awards.
Nicki Minaj
What would be a 2022 without a new album from the Queen of Rap? Entirely pointless. The HipHop aficionado’s last album was 2018’s Queen, so the Barbz have been in waiting for a whole three years and counting. Of course, when you are of Minaj’s echelon of legendary status, you break records and hit milestones even with no full project for that amount of time: She recently made history as the first ever female musician to rack up a total of 30 billion YouTube views! Her 2009 mixtape Beam Me Up Scotty became the highest-charting rereleased mixtape in Billboard 200 history, Superbass was certified Diamond…the works! Her crown remains untouched, but an album wouldn’t hurt. Speculation has it that her 5th studio LP drops in 2022.
Chimano and Savara
2021 saw all the four members of hard-hitting group Sauti Sol chuck solo material, to the warm reception of fans and critics alike. Polycarp and Bien already released full-length solo projects, Father Studies and Bald Men Love Better respectively. Both projects have been on rotation in the airwaves, so it suffices to say that all eyes are now on the other two members’ upcoming projects. Chimano’s Friday Feeling, the lead single off of Heavy is the Crown – his debut solo project, was a hit with fans as soon as it was released. A week later, Savara’s Balance caused yet another stir. If the two releases are anything to go by, the world may not be ready for the musical goodness that lies ahead for the two crooners. As such, over to you, lads!
Normani
Where to start? After a two-year hiatus that saw fans yearn for new material to no avail, the Fifth Harmony alum made quite the loud comeback with the RnB gem that is Wild Side. Before WS, the talented and highly-respected triple-threat performer had the universe on a chokehold with Motivation, the pop staple that majorly signaled her stature as one of the new greats. She would later team up with fellow Texas native Megan Thee Stallion on Diamonds, off of the Birds of Prey soundtrack, before albeit fading to oblivion. Her 2021 comeback was a huge pop culture moment that was culminated by the live performance of Wild Side at the VMAs, further keeping the naysayers at bay and reminding everyone that she still is the it-girl. With all eyes on her, the singer’s debut album is one of the most anticipated releases of the coming year.
Rihanna
Now, what comes of the Fenty billionaire raking in money to the tunes of billions of dollars? A long wait that seems to end not, at least according to her army of fans, collectively known as the Navy. Forbes reported that the S&M singer is now a billionaire, all thanks to the monstrous success of her reputable Fenty and Savage X Fenty makeup and lingerie brands respectively. Even with such achievements, fans continue to relentless beg for new material from the Bajan singer, whose last album Anti dropped in 2016. She has in the recent past revealed that she is indeed working on new music and experimenting with new sounds, though remaining tight-lipped on when the likely release date would be. Keep your hopes alive, Navy.
SZA
RnB sensation SZA has had quite the successful run this year, even with no full-length release. Her Doja Cat collaboration Kiss Me More was one of the biggest releases this year and won the pair the Best Collaboration moonman at this year’s VMAs. The hit, a cut from from Doja’s Planet Her sophomore album, peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. SZA’s others single releases Good Days and the latest eargasmic I Hate You all cracked the Hot 100 with ease too, making the singer one of the highest –charttopping artistes this year. It would be only be right that she puts out her sophomore album in 2022 – her appeal is indisputable. Besides, CTRL, her debut album, came out in 2016.
