From Cardi B’s rise to the top, Astroworld’s immediate ascent in the charts, and Pusha T exposing Drake’s secret child with The Story of Adidon, 2018 was no doubt an exciting time in music.
With Childish Gambino, Rihanna and SZA rumoured to release new albums in 2019, this year is looking just as promising.
While we patiently wait for new sounds to drop, MILLE rounds up 10 artists who’s upcoming albums we’re most excited about.
Solange
Solange’s “A Seat at the Table” album released in 2016 was undoubtedly the singer’s most mature album to date and her most commercially successful yet. Beautifully exploring the experiences of black womanhood, her reflective album made Solange literally build a cult following. And while she didn’t release new music since, she unveiled a critically acclaimed performance art installation called Metatronia in Los Angeles last year and announced an artistic collaboration with Ikea. While no dates have been released concerning her upcoming album, we know it’s now finished and that some songs have been recorded in Jamaica. We literally can’t wait.
Childish Gambino
While Childish Gambino found huge musical success with his 2016 album “Awaken, My Love”, it wasn’t until he dropped his viral and bold video for “This is America” in 2018 that Gambino truly became mainstream. Announced as a headliner for this year’s edition of Coachella, it’s safe to say the slasher’s upcoming album will confirm his status as pop culture mogul.
Cardi B
2018 was Cardi’s year. The Bronx-born rapper dropped her highly anticipated and successful debut album “Invasion of Privacy”. Both subtly provocative and vulnerable, the album easily consecrated her as biggest female artist of the year. And while she just gave birth to her daughter Kulture (and split with Offset), Cardi announced she hopes to release her second album in the Spring. Meanwhile, her new music video for the ass-shaking tune “Twerk” will keep us waiting.
Tame Impala
It’s been four years since Tame Impala released an album, and while they’ve recently produced for other artists, such as goddess Kali Uchis and Teophilus London, we’ve all been craving new dreamy tunes from the Australian psychedelic band. Announced as headliner at Coachella, the drop might arrive sooner than we think.
SZA
In 2017, SZA dropped her highly awaited and stunning debut R&B album, which got her a Grammy nomination. In her hybrid album, which manages to perfectly combine diverse genres and sounds, SZA blissfully explores the pains of heartbreak. We’re so hungry for her new music.
Gunna
The Atlanta rapper, YSL label signee (and student of Young Thug), famed for his sing-rap flow, definitely cemented the melody-riven rapper’s position as most promising artist of the moment in 2018. While we wait for the album release, we still have his duo project “Drip Harder” with Lil Baby on repeat.
Rihanna
The artist and beauty entrepreneur, who just made a huge deal with LVMH launching a new luxury fashion brand, confirmed she would release a new album in 2019, who will take the form of a double disc: a mainstream project, alongside a more personal, experimental album.
Blueface
The LA rapper co-signed by Drake has been all over the Internet these days. We’re sure 2019 is the year he’ll make his way from the underground spotlight to the mainstream.
Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey (who’s the new face of Gucci’s latest campaign) confirmed her new Jack Antonoff-produced country album “Norman Fucking Rockwell” is ready and said to be released in March.
Frank Ocean
Frank Ocean has been teasing his fans with the hypothesis of a Blonde follow up. While he appeared on Travis Scott’s and Rocky’s albums this year, he hasn’t released any personal project but has kept us silently waiting with his newly public Instagram account.
