African Album Review
African Album Review is a podcast focused on music commentary, technical analysis, and recommendations for African albums and EPs. It covers artists and releases from different countries and genres, including music from the African diaspora. The show is hosted by Zimbabwe's MJ Wemoto.
Episodes
Uncle Waffles x Royal MusiQ – 4 Da Streets! REVIEW #323 eSwatini | South Africa
Uncle Waffles and Royal MusiQ have linked up for their joint six-track EP 4 Da Streets!, released May 8, 2026 via KO-SIGN and Encore Recordings. The project pulls together heavyweight features and underground producers across Sgija, Sgidongo, Boots Movement, Amapiano and Gqom - and one of the tracks flips the entire script. Is this Uncle Waffles' boldest project yet? Watch the full review below.
Ntate Stunna – Mosotho Gauteng REVIEW #322 Lesotho
Ntate Stunna drops his follow up album to the legendary "Sesotho Fashioneng". He calls this one "Mosotho Gauteng" and here is a review.
Danya Devs – Bayede REVIEW #321 South Africa
Danya Devs' sophomore album titled Bayede dropped amid much fanfare following hits like Ola Sbali, Umuzi we Glass and more. Here's a review.
Fally Ipupa – XX REVIEW #320 DR Congo
A review of Fally Ipupa's latest album "XX" by MJ Wemoto. The Congolese legend celebrates 20 years of music with this milestone project following singles such as Cinema and Jam
Makhadzi Entertainment – Big 30 REVIEW #319 South Africa
A review of Makhadzi's latest album "Big 30" by MJ Wemoto. The Queen of Limpopo celebrates turning 30 with an 11-track project following 2 strong albums in 2025: Sesi Ka Rose and Win is a Win
Joeboy – Viva Lavida REVIEW #318 Nigeria
Here's my review of @Joeboy's latest album 'Viva Lavida'
Ruger – Blownboy Ru REVIEW #317 Nigeria
@rugerofficial gives us his latest album Blownboy Ru after the success of his recent singles Toma Toma with Tiwa Savage and Jay Jay. Here's a review
Umuti – Yini REVIEW #316 eSwatini
Umuti from eSwatini dropped a young 2-pack single and I thought why not review it? So here we go!
Joshua Baraka – Recess EP REVIEW #315 Uganda
We got an EP recently from @itsJoshuaBaraka titled 'Recess' and here is a review as I dissect the project.
Wizkid – Morayo REVIEW #314 Nigeria
Wizkid finally dropped the much-anticipated Morayo album. Is it better than Made In Lagos? Let's find out
Ya Levis – Love Machine Pt 1 REVIEW #313 DR Congo
Ya Levis has been working hard and carved himself a nice niche with the ladies… The title to his new EP "Love Machine Pt. 1" comes as no surprise of course. HERE'S A REVIEW
Xenia Manasseh – Love/Hate Pt 2 REVIEW #312 Kenya
Xenia Manasseh gives us the 2nd instalment of her "Love/Hate" series roughly a year after the first. Here's a review
Oxlade – Oxlade From Africa (OFA) REVIEW #311 Nigeria
Can you believe that "Oxlade From Africa (OFA)" is actually Oxlade's debut album? That's wild! Here's a review of the KU LO SA hitmaker's 1st
A-Reece – Kill The King: the mixtape REVIEW #310 South Africa
When A-Reece drops a project, it's always best to listen. Here's a review of "Kill The King: the mixtape" his 2024 project
Usimamane – 20th: Days Before Maud REVIEW #309 South Africa
The debut offering by Usimamane has been one of the most anticipated in South African Hip Hop. Here's a review
Fireboy DML – adedamola REVIEW #308 Nigeria
Fireboy DML shows his dedication and consistency to the craft yet again by dropping a new album titled 'adedamola', his fourth. Here's a review
D’Banj – The Entertainer: D’Sequel REVIEW #307 Nigeria
What is the verdict on the album D'Banj dropped a little while back???
Asake – Lungu Boy REVIEW #306 Nigeria
@asakemusik makes it 3 albums in 3 years with the release of Lungu Boy. Here is a review of this newest 2024 offering by one of Nigeria's best talents in recent times:
Bensoul – The Party & The After Party REVIEW #305 Kenya
The new album by @Bensoulmusic titled The Party & The After Party is out, his first since leaving Sol Generation. Here's a review…
Rema – HEIS REVIEW #304 Nigeria
Rema releases his new album titled HEIS after an interesting few weeks that raised many questions about where he is headed. Here's a review
Ayra Starr – The Year I Turned 21 REVIEW #303 Nigeria
The talented @ayrastarr has had one of the most exciting career trajectories of the new Afrobeats stars. Here's a review of her album 'The Year I Turned 21'
Tems – Born in the Wild REVIEW #302 Nigeria
To say the debut album 'Born in the Wild' by @temsbaby was much-awaited would be an understatement. This has be one of the most anticipated African albums in recent times. Here's a review
Amaarae – roses are red, tears are blue REVIEW #301 Ghana
Ghanaian-American star, Amaarae, doesn't shy away from giving her fans gifts, which is the case with 'roses are red, tears are blue - a Fountain Baby Extended Play'. Here's a review
Victony – Stubborn REVIEW #300 Nigeria
Nigerian Afrobeats star, @vict0ny, gives us his debut album titled 'Stubborn'
after establishing himself as one of Africa's best talents. Here is a review
Waithaka – Soul’d Duets ALBUM REVIEW Kenya
Kenyan producer @WaithakaEnt gives us 'Soul'd Duets' where he teams up with some top tier Kenyan talents. Here's a review
Soa Mattrix – Akani ALBUM REVIEW South Africa
@SoaMattrix1 often gives the perfect cross between soulful and private school Amapiano. How does his new album Akani measure up?
Tiwa Savage – Water & Garri ALBUM REVIEW Nigeria
@TiwaSavage gives us the soundtrack to her movie Water & Garri, which was a welcome surprise for fans. Here's a review
Savara – No Overthinking ALBUM REVIEW Kenya
Savara might be best known for his work as a member of Sauti Sol but his new project 'No Overthinking' will challenge that. Here's a review
Polaris Pauline – Tufanye? EP REVIEW Kenya
Polaris Pauline released her 6-track EP titled 'Tufanye?' after the success of the title song
Josey – Vibration Universelle ALBUM REVIEW Cote d’Ivoire
Josey released her sophomore album titled Vibration Universelle where she showcased her versatility yet again
Shakes & Les – Funk Series ALBUM REVIEW South Africa
South African duo Shakes & Les dropped one of the most sought-after projects on the Amapiano scene titled 'Funk Series'
Ruger and BNXN – RnB ALBUM REVIEW Nigeria
Ruger and BNXN released their EP titled RnB as they squashed their online beef in a move that endeared them to fans and the industry alike
Daliwonga – Dali Dali ALBUM REVIEW South Africa Amapiano
Amapiano star @DaliWongaSA 🇿🇦 dropped his brand new album titled 'Dali Dali' which features 12 tracks. Here's my analysis of the project
Ruger – RU The World ALBUM REVIEW Nigeria
Nigeria has too much talent at its disposal and one such is @rugerofficial 🇳🇬 who is a hitmaker of note. Here's an analysis of his debut album "RU the World"
Bey T – Pink PM EP REVIEW Kenya
Upcoming Kenyan talent, Bey T, gives us her EP "Pink PM" which follows a few years of dropping singles and switching up her style. Here is a review
Patoranking – WORLD BEST ALBUM REVIEW Nigeria
Nigerian 🇳🇬 Afro Dancehall star, @patorankingfire, released his fourth studio album a couple of days ago titled "WORLD BEST". Here is my analysis
Tekno – The More The Better ALBUM REVIEW Nigeria
Nigerian 🇳🇬 star, @alhajitekno, gives us a new album to feast on in 2023 titled 'The More The Better'. Here is an analysis of the project
Lyrikal Busta – Afro Bliss ALBUM REVIEW eSwatini
Award-winning eSwatini star 🇸🇿, @LyrikalBusta, gives the world a look inside his musical universe via his new album Afro Bliss. Here's an analysis
Burna Boy – I Told Them ALBUM REVIEW Nigeria
Africa's Grammy winning giant, @burnaboy 🇳🇬, has released his 7th studio album titled #ITOLDTHEM Here is my analysis of the project
Iddi Singer & GRANDMASTATEK – Afrodisco EP REVIEW Kenya
Kenya 🇰🇪 has this uncanny ability to unearth great musicians like it's nothing! Conveyor belt style :-) Is this the case with @IddiSinger and @Grandmastatek? Here's a review of their new EP titled 'Afrodisco' where I share my analysis
Bob Marley & The Wailers – Africa Unite ALBUM REVIEW
A number of top African talents from Zimbabwe, Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana and Ivory Coast were selected to feature on the Africa Unite album by Bob Marley & The Wailers. There's Nutty O, Winky D, Patoranking, Teni, Rema, Oxlade, Sarkodie, Stonebwoy, Ayra Starr, Tiwa Savage and Afro B. Here's a review by MJ Wemoto
ExQ – Enoch ALBUM REVIEW Zimbabwe
Zimbabwean star musician, ExQ, gives us his latest album titled Enoch after his actual government name. Here is a review by MJ Wemoto
Olamide – Unruly ALBUM REVIEW Nigeria
Nigerian superstar, Olamide, drops his 10th studio album titled 'Unruly'. Here is a review of Olamide's new album 'Unruly' by MJ Wemoto
Nana Fofie – Seasons SINGLE REVIEW Ghana
Ghanaian songstress, Nana Fofie, comes through with a 3-pack single titled 'Seasons' and here is a quick review of it by MJ Wemoto
ZAZISE – Storytellers of the Culture ALBUM REVIEW Zimbabwe
The Hip Hop platform ZAZISE has engineered its first compilation album with various Zimbabwean Hip Hop acts. Here is a review by MJ Wemoto
Adekunle Gold – Tequila Ever After ALBUM REVIEW Nigeria
Asdekunle Gold continues to defy the odds in the music industry. He gives us his first album under De Jam Recordings since being signed to then a few months ago. Here's the outcome: "Tequila Ever After" and with that comes the MJ Wemoto review of the project
Kizz Daniel – Barnabas EP REVIEW Nigeria
Kizz Daniel has been doing some amazing things musically of late and November 20221 saw him drop a 7-track EP called Barnabas. Here is a review by MJ Wemoto
Kizz Daniel – Maverick ALBUM REVIEW Nigeria
Kizz Daniel drops his latest album called Maverick after a sterling run with hit songs such as Buga (Lo Lo Lo) and Cough (Odo). Here is a review of Maverick by Kizz Daniel
Ariel Zambia – Rhodesia to Nyasaland EP REVIEW Zambia
Ariel Zambia gives us an enticing 6-track EP titled "Rhodesia to Nyasaland". Here is a review
Crayon – Trench to Triumph ALBUM REVIEW Nigeria
Mavin has this ability to break out stars and Crayon is on that list. He gives us his latest 2023 album titled 'Trench to Triumph'. Here is a review
Elijah Kitaka – Bedroom Essentials ALBUM REVIEW Uganda
Swangz Avenue latest signee, Elijah Kitaka, gives us his first project under the label titled "Bedroom Essentials". Here is the MJ Wemoto review
J Hus – Beautiful and Brutal Yard (BABY) ALBUM REVIEW UK Gambia
J Hus is a a mammoth name on the UK scene and when he drops, everyone listens. Here is a review of his latest album "Beautiful and Brutal Yard" a.k.a BABY
Victony – My Darling + Angelus SINGLE REVIEW Nigeria
After the tremendous success of Soweto from original to remixes, Victony, is back with a 2-pack single. Here's a review
Groovy Jo – Pressure ALBUM REVIEW Kenya
Kenyan rapper, Groovy Jo, is back with a new project 'Pressure' and what will the sophomore album bring? Here is a review
Magasco – Infinity ALBUM REVIEW Cameroon
Cameroonian star, Magasco, dropped his new album 'Infinity' which has 11 tracks. Here is a review of the album
Nkosazana Daughter – Uthingo Le Nkosazana ALBUM REVIEW South Africa
Amapiano star Nkosazana Daughter finally dropped her debut album Uthingo Le Nkosazana. Here is a review of the album
CKay – Sad Romance (Deluxe) ALBUM REVIEW Nigeria
CKay is one of the biggest stars to come out of Africa and he has the music to back it up. Here is a review of his new album Sad Romance (Deluxe)
Asake – Work of Art ALBUM REVIEW Nigeria
Asake a.k.a Mr Money has done it again! We welcome his sophomore album 'Work of Art' with 14 new tracks and here is the MJ Wemoto review
Iyanya – Love & Trust EP REVIEW Nigeria
Nigeria star Iyanya drops a 6-track EP called Love & Trust which builds on his recent musical resurgence. Here is the MJ Wemoto review
Amaarae – Fountain Baby ALBUM REVIEW Ghana
Ghanaian American star Amaarae drops her sophomore album titled "Fountain Baby" after much expectancy. Here is the MJ Wemoto review
Camidoh – Love is the Answer (L.I.T.A) ALBUM REVIEW Ghana
Ghanaian star, Camidoh, gives us his debut 2023 album "Love Is The Answer" after the success of Sugarcane. Here is the MJ Wemoto review
Nomfundo Moh – Ugcobo ALBUM REVIEW South Africa
Nomfundo Moh has come out with her sophomore album barely 16 months after releasing her debut, Amagama in January 2022. "Ugcobo" is the new Nomfundo Moh album set to solidify her place in the competitive South African music industry. Here's the MJ Wemoto review of Ugcobo by Nomfundo Moh
The End of Sauti Sol
Sauti Sol surprised fans by announcing that after their next album and tour, they are going on an indefinite hiatus. For some of us in the industry this didn't really come as a surprise, they haven't been watering the Sauti Sol brand much since 2020. What does that tell you? Let me give you a breakdown of why this is the end for Sauti Sol.
Part of their statement read:
"We are excited to ann
Jah Prayzah – Chiremerera and Maita Baba ALBUM REVIEW Zimbabwe
Jah Prayzah does the unthinkable and drops 2 albums in 2 days which are the 12th and 13th of his career. Here's an analysis
Joeboy – Body & Soul ALBUM REVIEW Nigeria
Nigerian star, Joeboy, releases his sophomore album titled Body & Soul which follows some huge hits like Sip (Alcohol) in the last couple of years. This new project is 15 tracks deep with some top tier collaborations. Here's the MJ Wemoto review
Wande Coal – Legend or No Legend ALBUM REVIEW Nigeria
Wande Coal gives us his new 2023 album "Legend Or No Legend" after 3 years of dropping singles. Here's the MJ Wemoto review
Inkabi Zezwe (Sjava and Big Zulu) – Ukhamba ALBUM REVIEW South Africa
South African stars, Sjava and Big Zulu, team up as the duo 'Inkabi Zezwe' to give us their debut album 'Ukhamba' after a successful debut single in Umbayimbayi. Here's the MJ Wemoto review of the album Ukhamba
Felo Le Tee x Mellow & Sleazy – The III Wise Men ALBUM REVIEW South Africa
Top South African Amapiano talents, Felo Le Tee, and Mellow & Sleazy, team up to give us an album titled "The III Wise Men" which already has some huge singles such as Gedlela and Full Set
Bongeziwe Mabandla – amaXesha ALBUM REVIEW South Africa
A review of the album amaXesha by Bongeziwe Mabandla who recently wowed the world on his COLORS debut in April 2023
Jizzle – Me vs Me ALBUM REVIEW The Gambia
Jizzle is right up there as one of the best and most celebrated artists in The Gambia. He gives us his sophomore album 'Me vs Me' after his debut and 3 EPs. He shows no signs of stopping and this 15 track project proves that before we even listen to the music. Here is the MJ Wemoto review for Jizzle's "Me vs Me" album
Stonebwoy – 5th Dimension ALBUM REVIEW Ghana
Ghanaian Afro Dancehall star is no stranger to success so when he drops an album, you listen. Here is the MJ Wemoto review of his latest 2023 album, 5th Dimension which has 17 tracks and features 10 collaborations - and some of them are HUGE!
Uncle Waffles – Asylum ALBUM REVIEW South Africa Eswatini
Swati-born DJ and producer, Uncle Waffles, dropped a 7-track project titled "Asylum" on March 31, 2023 after the blow up of Yahyuppiyah on Tik Tok. Here's a Moto Moto review
Davido – Timeless ALBUM REVIEW Nigeria
Davido gives us his much awaited new 2023 'Timeless' album, a 17-track offering with 10 features
Navy Kenzo – Most People Want This ALBUM REVIEW Tanzania
Navy Kenzo is a Tanzanian duo that has been around and stood the test of time. They've been one of my favourite groups in the game and often know how to bring something new to the table. They dropped their new album 'Most People Want This' on March 8, 2023. Here's my review
Lojay – Gangster Romantic EP REVIEW Nigeria
Nigerian singer, Lojay, comes through with his first solo EP, Gangster Romantic, which has 7 songs and is on the back of an impressive catalogue of singles. Here's the MJ Wemoto review
AKA – Mass Country ALBUM REVIEW – RIP Kiernan Forbes
We finally get to hear AKA's posthumous release Mass Country and it's an emotional journey only a few days after he passed away. Here is a review of the last album by Kiernan Forbes. R.I.P AKA
SPINALL – TOP BOY Album Review Nigeria
Nigerian DJ, SPINALL, drops his latest album for 2023 titled TOP BOY which sees about 26 features and multiple producer placements. Here's the MJ Wemoto review
Rema – Holiday / Reason You SINGLE REVIEW Nigeria
Rema gives us his first drop of 2023 with a new 2-song single titled "Holiday / Reason You". Here's a review
Ariel Sheney – Mutation ALBUM REVIEW Cote d’Ivoire
Ivorian star, Ariel Sheney, drops a much-anticipated album titled Mutation and it features 7 tracks with 3 collaborations, namely Ayanne, Koffi Olomide and O'nel Mala. Here's the MJ Wemoto review
TayC – Room 96 ALBUM REVIEW Cameroun France
Cameroonian-French star, TayC, released a Valentine's day album titled 'Room 96' which comes with 10 tracks including the smash hit, 'Carry Me'. Here's the MJ Wemoto review
