Shekhinah, Olivia Dean and Nanette are some of the R&B artists that delivered 2025 albums with great replay value and just the right words for those who resonate.
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2025’s music scene has been one for the books. Something for every mood and moment. We got a bit of everything and more.
From amapiano giants to R&B storytellers and global icons making a comeback, this year’s releases had range, heart and most importantly, real replay value.
Sure, we had more album drops, but these seven albums stood out for different reasons: the penmanship, the production, impact or how they shaped the conversations online and in real life.
These are the projects that truly defined 2025 in no particular order:
1. Shekhinah - ‘Less Trouble’
Shekhinah’s return was long-awaited and her album reminded everyone why she is one of the country’s most consistent storytellers.
Fans knew she would release her third project but what they didn’t know was when it would be released.
She returned with a lovely surprise drop, unveiling her new album “Less Trouble” on a random Friday in August.
The album is described as “a book on more heartbreak, but less heartache” and captures the idea of going in circles with love.
Shekhinah has always been open about the emotional highs and lows that come with relationships, and this project looks at those feelings with more softness.
2. Olivia Dean - ‘The Art of Loving’
Not a new face in the music industry but she has certainly grown into a global favourite that found a serious audience even in South Africa.
One thing about love, it always accumulates numbers. The Art of Loving’s theme of self-love and emotional honesty connected with many young listeners who are tired of complicated relationships.
I’m sure I speak for many when I say this is the album that taught people to choose themselves. With Olivia Dean’s warm, soulful vocals carrying the message. She conveys so many emotions from the beginning of “The Art of Loving” until the end.
3. DJ Maphorisa & Xduppy - ‘Ngomoya’
The amapiano marathon album that dominated streets, events and of course, TikTok.
With 29 songs, “Ngomoya” became one of the year’s most talked-about projects while climbing up the music charts.
It has been the project that pushed piano culture forward with bold experimentation, new talent and unexpected collabs and the kind of production only DJ Maphorisa and Xduppy can pull off.
When the album dropped, one song in particular stood out and resonated with many.
That song is “Abantwana Bakho”, a heartfelt prayer that has you having a conversation with God in the midst of groove, good balance.
4. Kabza De Small - ‘Bab’Motha’
Another year, another moment for Kabza De Small to remind everyone why he is one of the Scorpion Kings. “Bab’Motha” is that project that returned him to a more soulful and spiritually rooted piano sound.
It’s the album people said “felt like old Kabza again,” and it had those mellow, emotional drops that carried the December mood in July. the self-titled album also climbed up music charts such as Apple Music charts, It's definitely on most people's 'best of 2025' music lists.
5. Mariah Carey ‘Here For It All’
Like Mariah’s album, we’re here for it all.
The comeback moment that showed she’s still a pop and R&B powerhouse. The superstar attitude and the features we never saw coming.
The rollout started with her first single “Type: Dangerous”, which marked her comeback after almost seven years without a new album.
She followed it up with “Sugar Sweet”, a collaboration with Kehlani and Shenseea that became a moment on its own.
By the time the album dropped in September, excitement was already high. “Here For It All” brings together Mariah Carey’s classic sound that she’s known and loved for, with modern touches here and there as well as unexpected but fresh collaborations.
It gives her long-time fans the nostalgia they enjoy while showing that she is still experimenting and evolving even after all these years.
6. Nasty C - ‘Free’
“Free” is the rap album that cemented Nasty C’s growth. After going independent, he let go of expectations and delivered something honest, polished and personal.
The project marked a major moment for him because it is also his first album released under his own label, “Tall Racks Records”.
“Free” is an album that shows Nasty C trusting his own voice, his own process and his own creative instincts, and that independence comes through in the music.
7. Nanette - ‘Painfully Happy’
A rising star who delivered one of the most emotionally sharp projects of the year.
This is an R&B album that people didn’t see coming and once it’s on your music rotation, there’s no skipping. The writing, subtle production and vulnerability reveals Nanette’s growth as an artist.
Listening to it, it’s easy to tell that she wrote from within and is sharing her life experiences which you’ll find yourself resonating with. It shows how strong the new wave of South African R&B is and that it’s in great hands.