While it’s very common for an artist to release an individual album, a collaborative or compilation album is quite rare in the Nigerian Music Industry.
In 2007, the defunct Mo’hits Records were dominating the industry with its league of talented artists led by Don Jazzy and D’banj, the two founders of the label. The label released its compilation album which set a trend thanks to its success.
A compilation/Collaborative album comprises tracks, which may be previously released or unreleased, usually from several separate recordings by either one or several performers.
The term is used mostly in Nigeria to refer to albums put out by a Label featuring its artists or by two or more artists who are bonded by Friendship.
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Mo’Hits- Cirruculum Vitae
Mo Hit Records was a label formed in 2004 by the duo of Don Jazzy and D’Banj upon their return to the country from the United Kingdom.
Thanks to D’banj‘s success in the music industry, the label started to expand, and other artists like Wande Coal, D’prince, KSwitch, Dr Sid joined the imprint.
In 2007, the label released its compilation album, “Curriculum Vitae“. Don Jazzy had first revealed plans for a label collaborative album in 2006.
Curriculum Vitae birthed some hit singles like “Why Me” (Remix), “Pere”, “Ololufe”, “Booty Call”, and “Move Your Body”.
Mavin Records- Solar Plexus
In 2012, after its was confirmed that Don Jazzy and D’banj had gone their separate ways, Fans hoped for reconciliation between the two. In the midst of this, Don Jazzy announced the establishment of Mavin Records on Twitter.
Solar Plexus is a compilation album released by Mavin Records on May 8, 2012. Produced entirely by Don Jazzy, the album comprises 13 tracks
It contains solo tracks from D’Prince, Tiwa Savage, Wande Coal, and Dr SID. “Take Banana” was released as the album’s lead single.
D’Prince remixed the song for his debut studio album Frenzy which he also released in 2012. “Omo Ga” was released as the album’s second single.
EME- Empire Mates State of Mind
Empire Mates Entertainment (abbreviated as E.M.E) was a Nigerian record label founded by Banky W and Tunde Demuren in 2002.
On June 18, 2012, the label released its compilation album Empire Mates State of Mind.
The album’s production was handled by Legendury Beatz, Sarz, Masterkraft, Cobhams Asuquo, Kid Konnect and Spellz.
It was the first collaborative album from the EME crew; featuring Banky W, Wizkid, Skales, Shaydee, Niyola, and Dj Xclusive.
It also features collaborations with X.O Senavoe, Rotimi, and Basketmouth. It the 22-track album produced hit singles like, “Baddest Boy”, “Dance for Me”, “Get Down Tonight”, “Ko Mo Le”, “Sun Mo Mi”, “Don’t Delay Me (Don’t Go There)” and “Change”.
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YBNL- YBNL Mafia Family
Yahoo Boy No Laptop Nation, popularly known as YBNL Nation or simply YBNL, is an independent record label founded by Olamide in 2012.
In 2018, the label has dropped a collaborative album titled “YBNL Mafia Family”.
The album houses 14 tracks done by Olamide, DJ Enimoney, Limerick, Temmie Ovwasa, Picazo, Fireboy DML, Yomi Blaze with additional collaboration from Kizz Daniel, LK Kuddy, Kranium, and Lil Kesh.
Pheelz, Killertunes, Cracker Mallo, and 2Kris all get credit for the production on the album. The album was instrumental in the popularity of Fireboy DML.