The Top 10 Nigerian Albums of 2020
Ranking for the Best Nigerian Albums for 2020
2020 has had a large impact on the Nigerian Music Industry from the close of concerts to the release of many albums.
As COVID-19 shut down physical outings, many artists have ample opportunities to work on their albums. This year saw the Industry go from being a singles market to an Album market.
In fact, no year comes close to the number of albums released in this year alone. Thanks to the idleness provided by COVID-19, a lot of artists could finally work on their projects.
Though this means the quality of work on Projects had improved, it also saw the market almost being saturated by artists.
Now, as the year runs to a close, Mp3bullet.ng compiles a list of the Best Nigerian albums released in 2020.
Worthy Mentions
- DJ Cuppy- Original Copy
- Flavour- Flavour of Africa
- Patoranking- Three
- Tekno- Old Romance
- Timaya- Gratitude
- Yemi Alade- Empress
- AQ- God’s Engineering
- 2Baba- Warriors
- Kizz Daniel- King of Love
Top 10 Best Nigerian Albums of 2020
Yabasi- Basketmouth
Basketmouth might be a comedian but not many know that he started out as a rapper in his University days, in fact, constant rejection and mockery of his rapping skills led to him doing comedy.
In a year when a number of albums have been dropped, Basketmouth comes through with a brilliant project in form of “Yabasi“, the soundtrack album for his “Papa Benji” web series.
In “Yabasi“, Basketmouth brings together a number of rappers and singers to make magic using a combination of Highlife, Palmwine Music, Folk, and Afro-Fusion sound.
Though Basketmouth did not perform any song across the 10 tracks and 30 minutes that form the album, he enlists Peruzzi, Oxlade, Duncan Mighty, Ice Prince, Show Dem Camp, Waje, Ladipoe, Flash, BOJ, Chike, Zoro, Umu Obiligbo, Ceeza Milli, Flavour, Phyno, Bez, Cavemen, iLLBliss.
“Yabasi” posses cohesive, progressive music formation that most projects seem to lack.
Afropop Vol 1- Adekunle Gold
Evolution is a step that every artist must take if they intend on lasting long in an ever-competitive industry and Adekunle Gold did just that.
Adekunle Gold proved that a box won’t hold him down with “Afro Pop Vol 1″. The album gave listeners an experience that was birthed by his experimental use of Afro-pop elements.
The 10-tracks album is a futuristic Afropop experience that has shown the singer’s diversity and range. The album birthed hit songs like “AG Baby“, “Okay” and “Something Different“.
Apollo- Fireboy DML
How easy can an artist become the God of Music? This is a question Fireboy DML choose to answer with “Apollo“.
“Apollo” is an experimental project that proves that Fireboy would be in the Music Industry for a very long time. He is not afraid to conquer new grounds in the album.
While “Apollo” doesn’t provide any definitive hit song, it’s instead a storybook that takes its reader on a very imaginative journey.
Celia- Tiwa Savage
Tiwa Savage clocked 40 years this year but this isn’t a barrier for the Afrobeat Diva instead this only makes her more interesting.
She dropped “Celia“, her fourth project in her decade long career to mixed reviews this year. Though “Celia” lacks sonic cohesion, it, however, makes up for it in its songs like “Koroba”, “Dangerous Love”, “Ole”, “Park Well“.
The Songstress proved the old phrase, “Old Wine taste sweeter” with her album.
A Better Time- Davido
As the world went into Lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, Davido decided to make good use of his time by creating another project he named “A Better Time“.
“A Better Time” is supposed to be the continuation of his previous project, “A Good Time” while housing 17 tracks, a signature number all Davido’s projects have.
In this album, Davido instead of doing a complete evolution like his peers decided to take the safer route by making his listeners nostalgic for his early days but in a better way.
He also fuses the trending Amapiano sound into the album and tries a little Hip-Hop-like song featuring NAS.
Made In Lagos- Wizkid
After years of teasing fans, Wizkid finally dropped his “Made In Lagos“. This album was the most highly anticipated album of 2020.
Though a slight issue pushed its release date back again, it finally dropped to mixed reviews. Firstly, it was a total Evolved Wizkid people heard, not the one people knew on “Soco”, “Jaiye” and his past works.
Though this wasn’t surprising for most given what he had done on “Sounds from the Other Side(SFTOS)“.
With an impressive line-up, Wizkid proved that he was still King even after ten years of being in the Industry.
Boo of The Booless- Chike
Chike first came on people’s radar during his time at Project Fame West Africa in 2015 and later during the first season of The Voice Nigeria where he finished as a runner-up on the show. However, he didn’t fare well thanks to a terrible stint with Universal Nigeria.
The soulful singer took another chance and released “Boo of The Booless“. Even with little or no promotion, Nigerians fell in love with the album.
The success of the album was propelled by Chike’s amazing and soothing vocals and his impeccable songwriting.
Carpe Diem- Olamide
Olamide is an OG in the music industry and has been dishing out hits since his entrance into the Industry.
However, in 2019, he experienced what one could call a series of dry spells as street hop artists like Naira Marley and Zlatan became the new rave of the moment.
Earlier in 2020, he dropped an EP, ‘999‘ which didn’t fare well. However, he changed things with “Carpe Diem“.
Though the album was almost eclipsed by the #EndSars protests, it still found its way into the hearts of listeners.
Olamide partnered up with the Music Producer, P.Priime, and fast-rising artists like Omah Lay, Bad Boy Timz, and Bella Shmurda to create what would be his best work in a long time.
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Yellow- Brymo
Brymo might be controversial for the things he says but he is one of Nigeria’s best artists when it comes to churning out quality albums.
“Yellow” showed the depth of the talent well that Brymo possesses. Brymo is a wizard when it comes to songwriting, the songs on Yellow makes you question if he doesn’t possess a divine sight.
With production aided by MikkyMe Joses, Brymo ascends from earth to the celestial plane on ‘Yellow‘.
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Twice as Tall- Burna Boy
Most people might have a problem with Burna Boy’s personality, but no one can deny that he is undeniably talented.
With the success of “African Giant” and him securing his first solo Grammy Nomination thanks to the project, he released “Twice as Tall” but this time more focused on securing a prize that African Giant couldn’t; a Grammy Win.
While this new inspiration could have affected the quality of the album, Burna showed that he was very much in charge from the beginning.
With an impressive lineup like Youssou N’dour, Naughty by Nature, Chris Martin, Burna churned out a quality album that would be remembered for the ages