Nigerian albums released at the beginning of the last decade (the 2010s) are regarded as the new birth of the culture.
However, Nigerian has witnessed a coarse amount of standard albums over the last decade, and therefore, the metrics in choosing the 10 Essential Nigerian albums released in the 2010s will be comfortable relying on the impacts on the mainstream.
Then most of the albums created an indelible print in the music industry, cementing different genres on the records.
Wizkid – SuperStar
This is Wizkid’s debut studio album and was released on June 12, 2011, under Empire Mates Entertainment, arguably best-selling afrobeat album, Sold over 5 million copies in the 2012 span.
It features guest artists including, Wande Coal, D’Prince, Banky W, and Skales.
It was championed by the singles Holla at Your Boy, Don’t Dull, Tease Me/Bad Guys, Pakurumo, Love My Baby, and Oluwa Lo Ni.
Wizkid – Holla at ur Boy (Youtube)
The cultural impact of this album cannot be overestimated in the afrobeat genre.
Ice Prince – Everybody Loves Ice Prince
This is Ice Prince’s debut studio album and was released on October 9, 2011, under Chocolate City.
It features guest artists including, Brymo, Wizkid, 2Baba, Jesse Jagz, M.I, Yung L, J-Milla, Wizboyy, Morell, Samklef, and Sean Tero
Ice Prince – Oleku (Youtube)
It was supported by the smash singles Oleku (the most remixed Nigerian songs of 2010), Juju, and Superstar.
Olamide – Rapsodi
This is Olamide‘s debut album and was released in 2011, It was supported by the lead single Omo To Shan featuring Wizkid.
It features guest artists including Wizkid, ID Cabasa, 9ice, Reminisce, and D’banj.
It introduced the new era of street Hop in the Nigerian music industry.
Olamide – Omo To Shan (Youtube)
M.I Abaga – MI 2: The Movie
This is the second studio album by highly acclaimed rapper M.I Abaga, it was released in 2010, one of the most relatable rap albums of all time.
M.I – One Naira (Youtube Audio)
Phyno – No Guts No Glory
This is Phyno’s debut studio album and was released on March 20, 2014, under Sputnet Records and Penthauze Music.
It was supported by 4 singles, Ghost Mode, Man of the Year, Parcel, and O Set.
It features guest artists including P-Square, Omawumi, Olamide, Stormrex, Efa, Flavour N’abania, Runtown, Ice Prince, M.I, Mr. Raw, Timaya, and Illbliss.
Phyno – Ghost Mode (Youtube)
Kizz Daniel – New Era
This is Kizz Daniel’s debut studio album and was released on 14 May 2016, under G-Worldwide Entertainment.
It was supported by the smash hit singles Woju, Laye, Good Times, and Mama.
New Era debuted at #8 on the Billboard World Album Chart, the album was hits studded.
Kizz Daniel – Laye (Youtube)
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Jesse Jagz – Jag of All Tradez
This is Jesse Jagz’s debut studio album and was released in 2010, under Chocolate City.
It features guest artists including, Brymo, M.I Abaga, Wizkid, Ice Prince, and more.
Jesse Jagz – Nobody Test Me (Youtube)
Vector – Lafíaji
Lafiaji is a studio album by rapper Vector, it was released in 2016, the album was titled after a place in Lagos, “Lafiaji is a place on Lagos Island.
Vector – Adura (Youtube)
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Reminisce – Baba Hafusa
Baba Hafusa is a studio album by Nigerian rap act Reminisce which was released through EDGE Records on 30 April 2015.
It is the rapper’s third overall studio album after releasing Book of Rap Stories in 2012 and Alaga Ibile in 2013.
Reminisce – Local Rappers (Youtube)
P – Square – The Invasion
The Invasion is the fifth studio album by Nigerian duo P-Square.
It was released on July 29, 2011, by Square Records.
The album features guest appearances from Tiwa Savage, Naeto C, Waje, May D, Eva Alordiah, Muna, Akon, and Rick Ross.
P -Square – Chop My Money (Youtube)