Musically, the year didn’t waste any time getting started. January set things in motion with A$AP Rocky’s Don’t Be Dumb, a project that had been anticipated for a while and immediately pulled listeners back into his orbit. February followed with more heat, as J. Cole delivered The Fall-Off, Brent Faiyaz returned with Icon, and Jill Scott added To Whom This May Concern to her catalog. Even Bruno Mars stepped back into the conversation, making it clear early on that 2026 was going to be a great one.
Now, as spring approaches, the focus shifts to what’s next. The release calendar is beginning to fill out, with a mix of artists returning after time away and others looking to build on recent momentum. Either way, there’s enough on the schedule to keep listeners engaged over the next few months. One of the more notable releases comes from Kehlani, whose self-titled album is set to arrive in late April. The project lands ahead of her appearance at the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture, where she’s expected to be one of the standout performers. Alongside that release, albums from Thundercat, Yaya Bey, Honey Dijon, and others will continue to shape the season.
If the first part of the year was any indication, then the new season won’t let up. Here are the albums to check out this spring.
Fetty Wap – Zavier (March 27)
Raye – This Music May Contain Hope (March 27)
Ye – Bully (March 27)
Thundercat – Distracted (April 3)
Yaya Bey – Fidelity (April 17)
Honey Dijon – The Nightlife (April 17)
John Coltrane – The Tiberi Tapes (April 18)
Pre-order The Tiberi Tapes: A Preview Of The Mythic Recordings HERE.
Kehlani – Kehlani (April 26)
