2018 in African music
The following is a list of events and releases that have happened or are expected to happen in 2018 in African music.
Events
- January 10 - The Premium Times lists Squeeze Tarela and Bella Alubo among its "Nigerian artistes to look out for in 2018".
- January 13 - Youssou N'Dour, on tour in the Gambia, praises the Gambian people and expresses optimism for the country's future.
- January 28 - At the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, Ladysmith Black Mambazo win the award for Best World Music Album with Shaka Zulu Revisited: 30th Anniversary Celebration and are nominated for the Best Children's Album award for Songs of Peace & Love for Kids & Parents Around the World.
- March 30 - Announcement of the winner of the AfriMusic Song Contest 2018, the first pan-African song contest. Eswatini win the contest, represented by the song "Sengikhona", performed by Symphony.
- June 2 - Rita Ray presents a major new series on BBC television: Africa: A Journey Into Music.
Albums released in 2018
| Release date | Artist | Album | Genre | Label | Ref |
| January 26 | Burna Boy | Outside | Afrobeats, hip-hop, dancehall | Atlantic Records | |
| January 26 | Professor | Composed by Jesus Christ | Kwaito, dance | Kalawa Jazmee Records | |
| January 31 | Zaki Ibrahim | The Secret Life of Planets | R&B, soul | Indie | |
| February 9 | M.I Abaga | Rendezvous: The Playlist | Hip-hop | Chocolate City | |
| February 23 | Femi Kuti | One People One World | Afrobeat | Knitting Factory Records | |
| March 2 | Seun Kuti | Black Times | Afrobeat, World | Strut Records | |
| March 27 | Brymo | Oṣó | Alternative folk, Yoruba music | Indie | |
| May 21 | Allah Thérèse & N'Goran Laloi | Bé gnanssou moayé | |||
| May 25 | DJ Neptune | Greatness | Afrobeats, hip-hop | Neptune Records | |
| May 25 | Adekunle Gold | About 30 | World, highlife | Afro Urban Records, Empire | |
| June 15 | Zonke | L.O.V.E | Afro-soul | Sony | |
| August 24 | M.I Abaga | Hip-hop | Chocolate City | ||
| November 9 | Mr Eazi | Life Is Eazi, Vol. 2 - Lagos to London | Afrobeats | Banku Music | |
| November 16 | Mayorkun | The Mayor of Lagos | Afropop | Davido Music Worldwide |
Classical
- Michael Blake - Lovedale Harmony for saxophone quartet
Musical films
Deaths
- January 4 - Joseph Gunduza Magigwani, 37, Zimbabwean actor and gospel singer
- January 23 - Hugh Masekela, 78, South African jazz instrumentalist, composer and singer
- February 1 - Mowzey Radio, 33, Ugandan musician
- February 8 - Ebony Reigns, 20, Ghanaian singer
- March 19 - Shavey, Kenyan dancehall singer
- April 2 - Ahmed Janka Nabay, Sierra Leonean musician, 54
- May 20 - N'Goran La Loi, Ivorian accordionist, husband and partner of Allah Thérèse, 87
- June 10 - Ras Kimono, Nigerian reggae musician, 60
- September 12 - Rachid Taha, Algerian singer, 59
- October 3 - Joseph Kamaru, Kenyan benga musician and political activist, 79
- October 24 - Hip Hop Pantsula, South African rapper, 38
- November 13 - Brian Rusike, Zimbabwean songwriter and keyboardist, 62