2021 wasn't without its surprises. We finally got highly anticipated albums by Lorde, Drake, Kanye West, Adele and Kacey Musgraves. There were still plenty of moments that we were waiting for though including new albums from Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna and Cardi B. So now, we turn our attention to 2022. We're manifesting good things and this is a list of things we hope are ticked off by the end of 2022 - except the final one.
Taylor Swift Will Have Another Number One Single With A Re-Record
Taylor Swift took a 10-minute version of All Too Well to the top of the charts this year alongside her re-record of Red. She still has plenty of albums left to re-record and with 1989 rumoured to be the forthcoming Taylor's Version, it's likely that she's got another hit on her hands. 1989 after all was the pop blockbuster of the bunch.
Lorde Will Release Something New
Lorde usually takes long breaks in between albums and while she only released Solar Power this year we have a feeling she's not going to keep us waiting too long. She's already revealed that she has "a vision" for a collaboration with Harry Styles and she's hinted she wants to start releasing music faster.
Lady Gaga Will Win An Oscar
Lady Gaga has received serious Oscar buzz for her role in House Of Gucci. The movie has already been a box office smash and now she's going into awards season in a very good position. She missed out on the Oscar for A Star Is Born but we reckon 2022 is the year that she claims the trophy.
Charli XCX Will Have A Worldwide Hit
Charli XCX hasn't had a gigantic mainstream hit since Boom Clap - mostly because she's dedicated her time to making experimental pop music. This year, however, she's coming for the crown. Her forthcoming album Crash has already spawned a hit in Good Ones and while her SNL appearance was canceled due to COVID, she's hitting the promo trail hard. Expect to hear XCX on your radios next year.
SZA's Second Album Will Arrive
If, like us, you've been waiting for SZA's sophomore album you're likely feeling very frustrated. She's been teasing it for a long time now and last year when Hit Different arrived we thought it was actually coming. This year, she's released two more single I Hate U and Good Days but she's also joked that she's scrapped her second album. Who knows what's going on but we're hoping she gets it together this year.
Paramore Will Return
Hayley Williams has been in solo mode for the last few years but she's revealed that it's time to start Paramore up again. "Paramore can’t be ‘on a break’ forever now can we," she wrote in an email a few weeks ago. "See you sometime next year," she continued. If this is really going to happen, let's have it all. Festivals, albums, music videos - the whole nine yards.
Normani Will Finally Release Her Solo Album
Yet another elusive star on this list who has been avoiding an album for a long time. Normani's solo career has been full of false starts. Motivation suggested a debut album was near but then we waited years for a follow-up single. It arrived this year in the excellent Wild Side which will surely be followed by an album. "Summer's gonna be lit," she said recently, suggesting mid next year is when we should expect an album.
Doja Cat Will Release A Song In A Fictional Language
We love Doja Cat and her 2021 record Planet Her but we do spend a lot of time in translate mode. We reckon Doja could go full Sigur Rós and sing a full song in a made-up language. It would still be a gigantic hit.
Beyoncé Will Surprise-Drop In The First Quarter Of The Year
Beyoncé has signed up to TikTok leading fans to believe that she's plotting a return. Recently Sony CEO Rob Stringer hinted that we'd be getting new Bey in early 2022. We know what to expect and what not to expect from a Bey release now. We'll be given little warning and it will be a blockbuster event. Bring it on.
Kendrick Lamar Will Headline Coachella Instead Of Travis Scott
Travis Scott has reportedly left a Coachella headline slot open after the Astroworld tragedy. That means the festival needs one more name to join Rage Against The Machine and Swedish House Mafia. Lamar played one festival this year and has nothing slated for 2022 yet but many are speculating that his album release will be a huge event. What better way to acknowledge it than another headline slot at Coachella?
Afrobeats Will Continue Worldwide Domination
It's been a big year for African artists. Nigeria's Ckay had a viral hit with love nwantiti (ah ah ah) and Wizkid followed it up with the Tems-assisted Essence. An Afrobeats takeover has been brewing for years with the success of Burna Boy and Wizkid and now it looks like it's finally taking flight. Expect plenty of mainstream artists to be dipping into the Afrobeats pool as it becomes the go-to-genre of 2022.
Rihanna Won't Release Her Album
Every year she says she's going to release an album and every year she doesn't. This year, we're trying something new.
