While it’s not over yet, 2024 has been an excellent year for music.
Almost everyone’s favourite artist has dropped some form of music to the delight of their fans. So much so that many people on social media believe that in 2025, we will experience a music drought.
While we are yet to see if that’s true, in 2024, we cannot deny Black women’s impact on the music scene. From somewhat new faces to industry legends, here are my personal favourite albums released by Black women this year, in no particular order.Â
- Cowboy Carter: Beyoncé
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As the second act of her planned trilogy, Cowboy Carter is up there with other Beyoncé albums like Renaissance and Lemonade.
I wouldn’t call it a country album though, and this isn’t a bad thing, but it’s definitely country-inspired. “This ain’t a Country album. This is a ‘BeyoncĂ©’ album,” she said in an Instagram post counting down the album’s release.
This isn’t new for the seasoned singer; more than 25 years into her career, BeyoncĂ© has proved you can’t put her in a genre box. The record has samples from iconic country songs like Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” and several features from country artists like Shaboozey, Tanner Adell, and Willie Jones. Beyonce pays homage to country music’s past, present and future while recognizing Black people’s role in the genre’s origins.
During my first listen in March, I thought the 27-song album was too long. However, I still can’t find any song to take out that I wouldn’t miss. Even the interludes and intermissions add to the flow of the body of work, something I can say BeyoncĂ© has successfully mastered.
Like most of the other BeyoncĂ© albums, it’s tough for me to choose my favourite song, with my pick often changing with my mood. However, right now, they are “Just for Fun,” “II Hands II Heaven,” and “American Requiem.”Â
- The Year I Turned 21: Ayra Starr
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This second album from Nigerian singer-songwriter Ayra Starr is a 10/10 for me!
With every song telling its own story with themes that include money, love, and grief, Ayra Starr creates a feel-good album encompassing coming of age and turning 21 years old. The album has notes of pop, R&B, and rap, which the singer infuses with her Afrobeats sound.
The songs aren’t too lengthy, with the longest lasting 3:28 minutes; time flies while the listener gets up and dances, something you can do to most of the songs on the record.
Starr, who debuted in early 2021, has quickly made her name known in the Nigerian and international music industry. She also got international features from artists like Coco Jones, Anitta, and Giveon, who bring their personalities and vocals to the album. A truly timeless album, my standout tracks are “Rhythm and Blues,” “1942” and “Lagos Love Story.”
- Alligator Bites Never Heal: Doechii
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For me, rap projects have always been a struggle to get through, but Alligator Bites Never Heal by American rapper and singer Doechii has become an exception.
With quirky lyrics, experimental beats and unique sounds, Doechii keeps me engaged the entire 47-minute run. Her storytelling is on point, especially with track number 4, “Denial is a River,” where the rapper is having a back-and-forth conversation with her therapist, including voice changes to differentiate who is who. On “Boom Bap,” the rapper even raps in tongues!
The album is also packed with creative puns and clever wordplay, making it an experience to discover more with every play. For example, the lyric, “And I’m carryin’ these b*tches like my period late,” in the song “GTFO” talks about pregnancy but also references the 1976 film Carrie, where the main character gets her first period in high school. Some songs have voice notes, showing the rapper’s creative process and real-life experiences.
I really can’t wait for an album from this clearly talented musician, and even though I haven’t learned all the words, this mixtape by Doechii is still skipless. My favourite tracks amongst many honourable mentions are “DENIAL IS A RIVER,” “WAIT,” and “HUH!”
- Jaguar II: Deluxe : Victoria MonÉt
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2024 was definitely Miss MonĂ©t’s year. She was certainly living off the success of her 2023 album, Jaguar II, where she won three Grammys and many other accolades.
In October this year, she dropped the Jaguar II Deluxe, and through it, we see her famous work ethic and intentionality. For many deluxe versions, the artist usually gives the listener three to four new songs that were scrapped from the original album tracklist. Monét, however, gave us ten new songs!
Staying true to the original album’s sexy, sensual, and liberated themes, the singer-songwriter does what she does best — disguising provocative topics with clever wordplay that might take a while for the listener to realize.
Monet also exhibits her love for ’90s R&B and production skills, sampling sounds, and interpolations from Sade, Anita Baker, and Michael Jackson on songs like “1900s” and “Love is Stronger than Pride.” The transitions on the album are also chef kiss, with the listener not knowing when a song has ended and when another begins if they aren’t looking at their streaming device.
With songs like “Don’t Sleep,” “The Greatest,” and “SOS (Sex on Sight)(feat. USHER),” I already know Victoria Monet will never cease to amaze me.Â
In a year filled with so much good music, these Black women have stood out to me with their vocals, songwriting skills, genre-bending talent and sheer creativity, and they should stand out to you, too.