These are the top 10 Nigerian best-selling albums during the CDs era
Most importantly, a debut album means an artiste first-ever appearance or performance in a body of work, and here are the top 10 Nigerian best-selling debut albums during the CDs era.
However, Nigeria has witnessed a coarse amount of standard albums over the past 2 decades, the metrics will be comfortable relying on the impacts of a debut album on the mainstream.
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Also, churns of Nigerian debut albums created an indelibly print in the music industry, cementing different genres on the records.
Below are the Best Nigerian debut albums of all time (ranks are based on notable impacts and not released date)
Top 10 Nigerian best-selling debut albums during the CDs era
Wizkid – SuperStar
This is Wizkid’s debut studio album and was released on June 12, 2011, under Empire Mates Entertainment, arguably the 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.
The cultural impact of this album cannot be overestimated in the afrobeat genre.
2Baba – Face2Face
This is 2Baba‘s debut studio album, after splitting from the renowned trio Plantashun Boiz, it was released on May 15, 2004, under Kennis Music, It became a breakout hit during CD’s era, sold over 2 million copies, Its victory linked massively to the lead single African Queen, it created a huge impact in the music industry.
Wande Coal – Mushin To Mo’Hits
This is Wande Coal‘s debut studio album and was officially released and launched on April 12, 2009, under then Mo’ Hits Records now Mavin Records, featuring artists including D’banj, Dr SID, D’Prince, and K-Switch.
It was supported by a smash hit single titled Bumper To Bumper, the album had major hit records and created a big impact in the music industry, it is somewhat regarded as the birth or blueprints to modern afrobeat.
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
It was supported by the smash singles Oleku (the most remixed Nigerian songs of 2010), Juju and Superstar.
M.I – Talk About It
This is M.I. Abaga’s debut studio album and was released in 2008, it features guest artistes including Ice Prince, Jesse Jagz, Wizkid, Djinee, YQ and more.
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It was the birth of the hip-hop genre in the Nigerian music industry, impactful and inspire almost the new generation.
Timaya – True Story
This is Timaya’s debut studio album and was released in 2007, under Dem Mama Records.
It was supported by the smash hit single Dem Mama produced by K-solo.
it inspired a generation and created a massive buzz because of its commercial success.
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.
Duncan Mighty – Fully Loaded (Koliwater)
Wene Mighty released his debut full-length album Fully Loaded (Koliwater) in 2009, which was a commercial success.
The 22-track album yielded popular songs such as “Ijeoma”, “Scatter My Dada”, and “Ako Na Uche” and drew the attention of many music lovers across the country.
Dagrin – CEO
Dagrin did leave a legacy as a champion of street rap, a music he helped to popularize before his untimely demise.
His acclaimed sophomore “C.E.O” album, published in 2009 under his banner, Missofuyin Entertainment, contains the essence of that work.
Dagrin gained fame after Kash 11 and AY vanished, unleashing indigenous rap as Nigeria had never seen before.
In hindsight, we’ll see Dagrin as the poster boy for a generation of young Yoruba rap fanatics, though he wasn’t the first.
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.