50 albums by Black artists we’re looking forward to in 2023

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Atlantis The Royal // Getty Images From Kendrick Lamar to FKA Twigs, last year saw Black art being pushed to new limits, solidifying many artists as ahead of the times. With that in mind, 2023 is fairing to be even more exciting. You’ll find albums from underground artists who you may not have heard of as well as some long-awaited releases from major pop stars in 2023. Musicians like Blood Orange, Cardi B, and Janelle Monae have taken a break from music, but 2023 could be the year they come back into the spotlight, igniting what could be one of the best years for music yet. Between announced albums and ones only hinted about, the music scene this year is full of pop, hip hop, dance, jazz, R&B, and rock brought to you by Black artists. With many of the anticipated albums to be released in the spring and summer, there’s no doubt that once the weather gets better, this will be a year to remember. Stacker researched multiple music publications and databases to determine what albums by Black artists we have to look forward to, plus some hopefuls, in 2023. You may also like: Iconic one-hit wonders over the past 50 years Flo Samir Hussein/WireImage // Getty Images Winning the 2023 Brit Award for Rising Star, this R&B girl group from London is sure to be one of the most successful of the 2020s. With their debut EP releasing last year, it’s no surprise that the trio is working on a full length studio album, hopefully to be released this year. Lil Uzi Vert Burak Cingi/Redferns // Getty Images The rapper’s last solo album dates back to 2020’s “Eternal Atake.” After a two-year wait, the anticipation for Uzi’s “The Pink Tape” album, which is expected to drop early 2023, is high. With the lead single “I Just Wanna Rock” going viral, this album is in no way going to be a dull affair. Masego Taylor Hill/Getty Images for Live Nation Urban // Getty Images Before 2022 ended, the jazz singer confirmed his untitled sophomore album was in the works. He released two singles, “Say You Want Me” and “You Never Visit Me” before announcing his next album would be dropping on March 3, 2023. SiR Scott Dudelson // Getty Images Returning with “Heavy,” his first album since 2019’s “Chasing Summer,” SiR is ready to bare it all. The R&B singer, who dedicated his NPR Tiny Desk Concert to his infant godson who died and whose grandmother named him Sir so people would respect him, has a lot of stories to tell through his music. Doechii Amy Sussman/FilmMagic // Getty Images With the release of her first EP while signed to Top Dawg Entertainment proving successful, Doechii appears to be the new “it” girl of viral rap. She’s at the height of her success. And a debut album is hopefully on the way. You may also like: 50 great albums by queer artists of color Talib Kweli x Madlib Johnny Nunez/WireImage // Getty Images A sequel to 2007’s “Liberation,” hip-hop legend Talib Kweli and rapper-producer Madlib drop this new album on March 6 via the Luminary podcast network. The album will feature many guest appearances, as well as a posthumous contribution from Mac Miller. T-Pain Ella Hovsepian // Getty Images Since winning The Masked Singer in 2019 for his natural singing prowess, fans have anticipated more music from T-Pain in which the artist might abandon his signature use of autotune. He recently announced a new album, releasing on March 17, which will see the artist covering songs from Sam Cooke to Frank Sinatra. Yves Tumor Jim Dyson // Getty Images With the release of the track “God is a Circle” in late 2022, fans began to anticipate Yves Tumors’ long-awaited experimental release. On January 30, the enigmatic artist announced their newest album would be dropping in March, while also announcing an extensive world tour. Kele Roberto Finizio // Getty Images The singer’s new album “The Flames pt. 2” is expected to arrive in February as the successor to his 2021 album “The Waves pt. 1.” Kele, with his diverse musical styles, will also support Paramore on their U.K. tour later this year. Chlöe Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic // Getty Images Despite launching her solo career with the popular single “Have Mercy” in 2021, Chlöe, of the R&B sister duo Chlöe x Halle, just recently finished her debut solo album. Titled “In Pieces,” the singer teased that fans could look forward to “exciting features and collaborations.” You may also like: Iconic music videos from your high school days Daniel Caesar Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella // Getty Images With his debut album snagging him a Grammy nomination, R&B soul singer Daniel Caesar’s work has been met with much acclaim. The Canadian singer-songwriter has recently announced that his anticipated third studio album, “Never Enough,” will be released April 7. Black Thought Erika Goldring // Getty Images Black Thought, lead emcee of the Roots, announced a new collaborative album with El Michels Affair, which is due to be released on April 14. The album, titled “Glorious Game,” is sure to feature stunning lyrics paired with funky instrumentals. Yung Bleu Jeff Hahne // Getty Images Rapper Yung Bleu took to Instagram to announce his next body of work, “Love Scars 2.” The album is a followup to “Tantra” Bleu’s sophomore album which was released just last year. Smino Tim Mosenfelder // Getty Images The rapper’s forthcoming mixtape, “She Already Decided 2,” the follow-up to the 2020 namesake mixtape, is set to drop on April 20th. The newest single, “Smi Myself and I,” samples Beyoncé’s 2003 single “Me Myself And I.” Joy Oladokun Taylor Hill/Getty Images for The Ally Coalition // Getty Images Oladokun’s new album “Proof of Life” is set to be released April 28. The album will feature guests including Manchester Orchestra, Mt. Joy, and Maxo Kream. You may also like: 100 best rock albums of all time, according to critics Arlo Parks Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Coachella // Getty Images Arlo Parks’ sophomore album “My Soft Machine,” the long awaited follow-up to her Grammy-nominated debut “Collapsed in Sunbeams,” is finally being released. If the lead single “Weightless” is anything to go by, the singer has another heavyweight body of work on their hands. JPEGMAFIA Mauricio Santana // Getty Images Alternative rapper and producer, JPEGMAFIA is planning to release three albums to fans this year. Whether or not this includes his collaborative album with Danny Brown or not, fans of the artist are sure to be treated in 2023. Meek Mill Monica Morgan // Getty Images It seems that since departing from Roc Nation, rapper Meek Mill is ready to get back into the spotlight. In January, Mill tweeted that fans can expect an album every quarter of 2023, making up for lost time to the fullest. Travis Scott Lorne Thomson/Redferns // Getty Images Following the tragedy at Astroworld in 2021, Scott has taken refuge from the spotlight. Despite this, many fans and critics anticipate his next album to be released this year, reportedly titled “Utopia,” which Scott teased in early 2022. Janelle Monáe Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic // Getty Images Music has taken a backseat for Monáe since they’ve dived into the world of Hollywood, pursuing multiple television and film roles since their last album “Dirty Computer.” With the premiere of “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” behind them, Monáe has released “Float,” a new single from what is rumored to be their next album. You may also like: Top 100 country songs of all time Beyoncé Mason Poole/Parkwood Media/Getty Images for Atlantis The Royal // Getty Images Beyoncé originally announced last year’s “Renaissance” as part one of a trilogy. But it’s still unknown exactly when part two and three will surface. Though we don’t know when these albums will be released, we do know they’ll break just as many records as the first. Cardi B Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy // Getty Images Despite it being half a decade since her debut album was released, rapper Cardi B has not only grown her art but her brand. While hearing her featured on other artists’ tracks is nice, fans can’t help but yearn for her to release an album of her own soon, which she seems to want as well. Danny Brown Mat Hayward // Getty Images Since releasing the critically acclaimed “uknowhatimsayin¿,” rapper Danny Brown has remained under the radar. During a concert in October of 2022, Brown teased music from his new unnamed LP, which fans hope will come this year. Lonnie Holley Burak Cingi/Redferns // Getty Images Featuring guest appearances from Sharon Van Etten and Bon Iver, Holley’s newest album is one to watch out for. Titled “Oh Me Oh My,” the album is set to release March 10, adding to a pool of albums that will surely be on rotation this spring. Shalom