This is a content collaboration with Urban Pitch, the leading website covering soccer culture.

The haze of the holidays is well in our rear view, and we’re getting into the thick of 2025. The year has started off on a heavy note between the attack in New Orleans, the explosion in Las Vegas, and the wildfires in Los Angeles.
Where do so many of us turn to in times of tragedy? Music.
Music helps us feel and process our emotions. It reminds us we are not alone in our pain and sadness. It uplifts us and gives us hope. It allows us an escape.
Last year, we were hyped to get music from Vince Staples, Doechii, Ghetts, Rapsody and, of course, Kendrick Lamar. With K. Dot running the rap game, the Galaxy winning the MLS Cup, and the Dodgers winning the World Series, the City of Angels was clearly on top of the world.
This year, will the West Coast go back-to-back in its music domination? Or will the hype surrounding albums from British artists (both that have actually been announced and those that are wishful thinking) take the crown? Will an underdog city like Memphis or Denver make the biggest statement? We will have to wait and see.
Here are the albums we are most anticipating in 2025:
Joy Crookes — Something?
Joy Crookes just released music for the first time since her critically-acclaimed 2021 album, "Skin." It was a clever single called “Pass the Salt” about battling jealous haters. Get it, saltiness? It had a stellar guest feature from one of our favorites, Vince Staples, and a throbbing bass line.
Crookes captured fans with "Skin" because of her smooth-yet-gravelly voice and her jazzy soundscapes. “When You Were Mine” and “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now” were especially popular.
While fans weren’t exactly promised a new album, the official press release for the song said that the British soul singer did have more coming in 2025. One would hope that four years away from the mic would be enough time to formulate and record a full-length project.
E.M.E — Something?
The newest Afrobeats sensation is E.M.E, a Denver-based artist who is making a splash locally and in his home country of Nigeria. Last year, he released the reflective singles “One Day” and “WAR.” On the latter, E.M.E masterfully shares his emotions and ponders current tragedies. But he also has songs like “Drago,” which is a whole vibe and is all about self-confidence.
Earlier this month, he posted on Instagram that his debut album is, indeed, coming this summer. Believers rejoice! (That’s what he calls his fanbase.)
Burna Boy canceled his Denver tour stop in 2023, but there is hope for the vibrant genre in the Mile High City because E.M.E is carrying the torch.
Central Cee — Can’t Rush Greatness
It’s weird to think that Central Cee hasn’t actually released an album yet. Between the hit single “Doja,” the “Split Decision” EP with Dave, and then his popular mixtape "23," it feels like Cench has been around for a while.
Despite only releasing a sprinkling of music since "23," which dropped in 2022, Central Cee and his signature rose gold has been everywhere. And that includes the soccer world. In November, the British MC collaborated with Paris Saint-Germain for the club’s pink third kit, and also appeared with Cole Palmer in Chelsea’s Wrap Up Warm campaign to help people in need throughout the winter. Of course, he filmed his “Straight Back To It” video at Stamford Bridge, and was also featured in the EA FC 25 soundtrack.
Central Cee’s debut album, "Can’t Rush Greatness," is due out January 24. The tracklist hasn’t been confirmed yet, but it’s likely the popular single “BAND4BAND” will be on there and perhaps “One By One,” which he performed for Colors. While some might argue that Central Cee is already one of the greats of our generation — he was named one of British GQ’s Men of the Year last year with an introduction from Skepta — we are looking forward to seeing how he defines the term in his own timing.
AmirSaysNothing — Something?
We are super hyped for what AmirSaysNothing has on deck for 2025. The Los Angeles-based artist last released a full album in 2021 with "Endless Brightside." He had some A-list guests on some heavy-hitting tracks, including the Mike Shinoda-produced “Clockwatch” and Slug-assisted “Victory Loves Company.” But besides the impressive guests, AmirSaysNothing proved he’s a star on his own with tracks like the uplifting “R&R.”
He’s been far from silent in the four years since the album with a slew of singles and the funky “King (Like Me)/Protect My Neck” EP with K-Wash. On New Year’s Eve, he announced that he worked on his new album all throughout last year and that it is officially done. If you are someone who thinks the rap game has been boring and watered down, stay tuned to what AmirSaysNothing has on deck because his wordplay and experimentation with production always keeps listeners on their toes.
At’Eaze — Something?
Denver rapper At’Eaze has made a name for himself with lyricism, elite production, and a sprinkling of spirituality. He has three projects under his belt, including the West Coast-infused “Eazy Back” EP, which he dropped in May. The project featured the bouncy “Up The Ladder” with some fun wordplay like, “Fly like I got wings/Sean Evans, we the Hot Ones.” Then there’s the melodic “Movin Up,” the reflective “Back To Me,” and a bit of boom-bap with the smooth flow of “Whats Understood.”
He is taking that momentum and putting it into an album due out this summer.
Read the full list of albums we are looking forward to in 2025 at Urban Pitch.
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