In this Throwback episode, we take a look at five iconic Nigerian albums from 2006 that will be 15 years old in 2021.
In the early 2000s, the ‘album’ rea was dominant with Nigerian artists releasing albums and in 2006 it became more prominent.
2006 was a pivotal event in Nigerian music. By this time, the sound of Nigerian music had established itself. This period was also an ‘album’ era where artists released albums compared to dropping singles.
In that same year, Nigeria Music Industry’s biggest award show, “The Headies” was launched but under the name “The Hip Hop World Award.”
Fifteen years down the line, the Nigerian Music Industry has evolved in terms of sounds and production, a new crop of artists have arisen with the global music scene now accomodating Afrobeat.
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Here are Top Classic Nigerian Albums released in 2006;
- Rundown Funk U Up- D’banj
RunDown Funk U Up is D’banj’s second studio album released in 2006 under the defunct Mo’ Hits Records which as of then was newly established.
Don Jazzy produced the 17-tracks album, which featured songs such as “Why Me,” “Do You Like the Koko? (Tongolo Remix),” “Mo Bo Lowo Won” and “Run Down (Funk U Up),” among others.
“Why Me” which is the lead single from this album won the “Song of the Year” award at the 2007 Hip Hop World Awards. It also won the “Hottest Single of the Year” award at the 2007 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.
While one might argue that D’banj’s 2008 “The Entertainer” was his best project, “Rundown Funk U Up” was where D’banj began perfecting his unique brand of Afropop that would solidify his presence as one of Nigeria’s best pop musicians
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Independent- Faze
Faze was one of the trios of the defunct Nigerian hip hop group Plantashun Boyz, along with BlackFace Naija and 2Baba who was formerly known as 2Face Idibia.
After leaving the group, he released his debut solo album, “Faze alone” in 2004 which sold about 3 million copies.
On October 5, 2006, Faze dropped his second studio album, Independent.
The album’s production was similar to the first because he used some of the same producers who worked on the first, such as OJB Jezreel, Cobhams Asuquo, and Paul Runz. ID Cabasa, Spankie, Mr Daz, and Ja mix were among the producers featured on the album, adding to Faze’s list of collaborators.
The 15-tracks album contained hit songs like ‘Kolomental’ ‘Kpo Di Kpo’, Need Somebody,’ ‘Loving You Everyday‘ and ‘Tattoo Girl‘.
The album was a fusion of R’n’B and Dancehall/Reggae and sold over 7 million copies.
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Grass to Grace- 2Baba (Formerly known as 2Face Idibia)
Just Like Faze, 2baba was a member of Plantashun Boyz. After he left the group, he got signed to Kennis Music where he released his debut album, “Face 2 Face.”
Grass 2 Grace was 2baba’s second solo album. The album won him numerous awards, including a MOBO award in 2007.
The 13-tracks album has hits like “See me so”, “True love”, “If love is a crime“, “For Instance“, etc. The album was a perfection of the evolved 2Baba.
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Expressions- Styl-Plus
Styl-Plus (originally STYL) is a Nigerian R&B and pop musical group made up of Shifi Emoefe, Tunde Akinsanmi and Zeal Onyecheme.
In February 2006, they released their highly anticipated 11 track debut album “Expressions“.
They had a spectacular, star-studded album launch in Abuja and Lagos which was rumoured to have cost over N10 million making it the most expensive album launch in Nigerian history.
“Imagine That” is the lead single from the album. It has also been a massive chart topper and has been used in numerous shows, including the pioneer edition of Big Brother Nigeria.
The album also had hits like “Iya Basira”, “Drives Me Crazy”, Olofunmi” “Run Away“, e.t.c. “Expressions” is still considered as one of Nigeria best Afro R’n’B albums to date.
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After The Storm- Weird MC
Weird MC is a Nigerian-British rapper, songwriter, and producer known for her English/Yoruba lyrics.
Weird MC who is also known as Shola Idowu and The Rappatainer is seen as one of Africa’s best female emcees.
She started her music career in the UK and In 1996, Idowu returned to Nigeria, where she released the album Simply Weird, a mix of American hip hop and afrobeat, which included the self-produced video single “Allen Avenue,” making her the first Nigerian artist to do so.
In 2006, she released her second album, After Da Storm. Hip hop had established itself as a dominant type of music in Nigeria at this time, and the Don Jazzy and JJC-produced single “Ijoya” was a huge hit, earning her an AMEN award for Most Pop Song, and a Channel O Music Video Award for Best Special Effect.