{"id":42071,"date":"2018-12-21T16:27:10","date_gmt":"2018-12-21T15:27:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/the-10-best-nigerian-albums-of-2018\/"},"modified":"2020-05-04T23:02:41","modified_gmt":"2020-05-04T22:02:41","slug":"nigeria-albums-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/nigeria-albums-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"The 10 best Nigerian albums of 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/h4>\n

Some of the best of the LP we are grateful for in 2018.<\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n

Burna Boy had shut down the internet with his vibrant collaboration with Lily Allen in the song “H<\/span>eaven\u2019s Gate” while M.I Abaga diversified his sound in an experimental\u00a0album. P<\/span>olitical maverick, Seun Kuti with his fourth album,\u00a0Black Times\u00a0with Egypt 80, proved again that afrobeat and protest music is embedded in his DNA and\u00a0Mr Eazi\u2019s new album\u00a0<\/span>is a celebration of his newly found global audience and influence<\/span>. Here are\u00a0a selection\u00a0of the best of the\u00a0albums\u00a0we are grateful for in 2018.<\/p>\n

\"burna-boy<\/p>\n

1. Burna Boy<\/b><\/span><\/h6>\n
Outside\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/h6>\n

Prior to the release of\u00a0<\/span>Outside,<\/span><\/i>\u00a0Burna Boy had shut down the internet with his vibrant collaboration with Lily Allen, British pop star, and Grammy award winner in the song H<\/span>eaven\u2019s gate<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0<\/span>Outside<\/span><\/i>\u00a0is a 38 minutes unapologetic offering of fine-tuned afro-fusion, it contains 13 tracks and 3 guest appearances in Jhus, Lily Allen and Mabel. The album is Burna Boy\u2019s most honest and creative project with beats from Nigerian and British producers like Leriq, Jae 5, Jhuls, Chopstix, Steel Banglez and Fred Gibson.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\"M.I-Abaga-Rendezvous\"<\/p>\n

2. M.I Abaga<\/b><\/span><\/h6>\n
Rendezvous\u00a0<\/b><\/em><\/span><\/h6>\n

Following the release of his controversial\u00a0single\u00a0\u201cYou Rappers Should Fix Up Your Lives\u201d\u00a0\u2013 a track that challenged the state of Nigerian hip-hop, M.I promised to released his fourth album,\u00a0<\/span>Yung Denzl<\/span><\/i>\u00a0in 2017 but failed to deliver on his promise. He released a new project,\u00a0<\/span>Rendezvous<\/span><\/i>\u00a0few hours after revealing that the much-anticipated album will be released in May. The 15 track playlist, as M.I. prefers to call it is a daring work of genius that only a few rappers can boast of. In the project which featured South African rappers like Cassper Nyovest\u00a0and\u00a0AKA to Nigerian stars like Falz the Bahdguy and Wande Coal, M.I Abaga diversified his sound, and emotions in an experimental style.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\"Brymo<\/p>\n

3. Brymo<\/b><\/span><\/h6>\n
Oso\u00a0<\/b><\/em><\/span><\/h6>\n

Brymo\u2019s 6<\/span>th<\/span>\u00a0studio album,\u00a0<\/span>Oso<\/span><\/i>\u00a0(The Wizard) is an eleven track album that runs for 38 minutes. In the past, Brymo has proved to be a lyrical genius, from<\/span>\u00a0\u201cMerchants, Dealers & Slaves,\u201d\u00a0to \u201cKlitoris\u201d, he is an entertainer popular for his illuminating and intellectual mastery of music.<\/span><\/p>\n

His latest album,\u00a0<\/span>Oso<\/span><\/i>\u00a0reeks of maturity and class while keeping his signature intact.\u00a0<\/span>With tracks like \u201cNo be me\u201d,\u00a0<\/span>\u201cB\u00e1\u2019n\u00fas\u1ecd\u201d<\/span>\u00a0\u201cHeya\u201d, \u201cPatience and Goodluck\u201d, Brymo continues\u00a0<\/span>his philosophical approach to music and attempt at realism that won him a loyal fan base.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\"Seun<\/p>\n

4. Seun Kuti<\/b><\/span><\/h6>\n
Black Times<\/em>\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/h6>\n

Seun Kuti is a political maverick, his fourth album,\u00a0<\/span>Black Times<\/span><\/i>\u00a0with Egypt 80, his father\u2019s band further proved that afrobeat and protest music is embedded in his DNA. In\u00a0<\/span>Black Times<\/span><\/i>, Seun via eight tracks of protest statements fights the prevailing corruption in Nigeria and other African countries. He also attempts a lyrical roll call of African leaders like Kwame Nkrumah, Thomas Sankara, Patrice Lumumba, Abder Nasser, Marcus Garvey, Shaka Zulu. Seun\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>Black Times<\/span><\/i>\u00a0is a continuation of Fela\u2019s musical ritual, \u201cI be Fela Kuti\u201d he needlessly reminds us in\u00a0<\/span>Last Revolutionary<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\"Adekunle<\/p>\n

5.\u00a0<\/b>Adekunle Gold<\/b><\/span><\/h6>\n
About 30\u00a0<\/b><\/em><\/span><\/h6>\n

Adekunle Gold\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>About 30<\/span><\/i>\u00a0saves us from the prevailing pop sound dominating the year. After leaving YBNL, Adekunle established the 79<\/span>th<\/span>\u00a0element band and released the most anticipated album of the year so far. With only two pre-released track, \u201cIre\u201d and \u201cMoney\u201d, Adekunle teamed up with DYO, Flavour, Seun Kuti\u00a0and the\u00a0Lagos Community Gospel Choir to create what is beginning to look like the best alternative music album of the year.\u00a0<\/span>About 30\u00a0<\/span><\/i>is Adekunle\u2019s mature, cohesive and creative attempt at progressive music.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Dj<\/p>\n

6.\u00a0<\/b>DJ Neptune<\/b><\/span><\/h6>\n
Greatness\u00a0<\/b><\/em><\/span><\/h6>\n

DJ Neptune\u2019s influence, coupled with his talent is the elements in the greatness of his debut album.\u00a0<\/span>Greatness<\/span><\/i>, the album titled after its potential is a long overdue boast. Neptune\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>Greatness\u00a0<\/span><\/i>features talents like Jesse Jagz, M.I Abaga, Burna Boy, Mayorkun, Kizz Daniel, Olamide, Maleek Berry, Skales,\u00a0<\/span>Davido<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0Patoranking,\u00a0<\/span>Mr Eazi<\/span><\/a><\/span>,\u00a0Yemi Alade, Small Doctor, Pasuma\u00a0and some of the best producers. DJ Neptune didn\u2019t just pitch artist together, he was extremely careful w<\/span>ith the pairing and their collective renditions propelled the greatness of\u00a0<\/span>Greatness<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\"Blaqbonez<\/p>\n

7.\u00a0<\/b>Blaqbonez<\/b><\/span><\/h6>\n
Bad Boy Blaq<\/b><\/em><\/span><\/h6>\n

The album is 10-track and 32 minutes long rap finesse.\u00a0<\/span>Bad Boy Blaq\u00a0<\/span><\/i>featured rising talents like Oxlade, Terry Apala, Alpha and label bosses, Loose Kaynon and A-Q with production credits from Alpha and MI Abaga.\u00a0<\/span>Bad Boy Blaq<\/span><\/i>\u00a0is one of the most creative projects in 2018.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bad Boy Blaq\u00a0<\/span><\/i>is the third project of the LAMB August series executively produced by rap star and Chocolate City boss, MI Abaga intending to rejuvenate the Nigerian hip-hop scene. In 2017, Blaqbonez released his transformative project \u2018Last Time Under\u2019 that signalled his Afropop influence. With,\u00a0<\/span>Bad Boy Blaq<\/span><\/i>, the singer democratize his bars, sound and style.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\"Odunsi<\/p>\n

8. Odunsi The Engine<\/span><\/h6>\n
rare<\/em><\/span><\/h6>\n

rare\u00a0<\/span><\/i>is obviously the most daring and pop distinctive project of the year. The album is inspired by the pop culture of the 80s and 90s and features pop stars like Davido, Runtown, Duendita, Santi, Zamir LOS, Tay Iwar, Nasty C and Hamzaa. Odunsi (The Engine) is the poster boy for the African sonic revolution coming from Lagos: Afrofusion, he released his first EP ‘Time of Our Lives’ (T.O.O.L) in August 2016.<\/span><\/p>\n

Afrofusion is a blend of different sounds, culture and influences and Odunsi\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>rare<\/span><\/i>\u00a0is significant for its extricating choice of classic funk and disco vibes.\u00a0<\/span>rare<\/span><\/i>\u00a0confirms Odunsi\u2019s expressive personality as the 13-track rare collection shades on personal and vulnerable experiences and emotions.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

9.\u00a0<\/b>Mr Eazi<\/b><\/span><\/h6>\n
Life Is Eazi Vol.2:\u00a0<\/b>Lagos To London<\/b><\/em><\/span><\/h6>\n

Lagos To London\u00a0<\/span><\/i>has all the Mr Eazi\u2019s elements, melodious with a global appeal.\u00a0<\/span>Lagos To London<\/span><\/i>\u00a0fuses elements of highlife, reggae, dance-hall, hip hop and disco. The standout track of the album is his Simi assisted \u2018Surrender\u2019 that has joined our wedding playlist. Mr Eazi also shows of his heterogeneity in\u00a0<\/span>Lagos To London\u00a0<\/span><\/i>by sampling diverse sounds, producers and featuring guest artists like Burna Boy, Mi Casa, 2Baba, Giggs, Slim Case and others.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mr Eazi\u2019s third project,\u00a0<\/span>Life Is Eazi Vol.2 \u2013 Lagos To London<\/span><\/i>\u00a0is a celebration of his newly found global audience and influence. After releasing\u00a0<\/span>Life Is Eazi Vol.1 \u2013 Lagos To Accra<\/span><\/i>, he toured the world, performing at venues in Europe and America.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\"Kizz<\/p>\n

10. Kizz Daniel<\/b><\/span><\/h6>\n
No Bad Songz<\/em>\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/h6>\n

Kizz Daniel\u2019s sophomore album is an ambitious Afropop hit with no bad song. The boldly titled project has the usual Afropop elements with a groovy and infectious vibe.\u00a0<\/span>No Bad Songz<\/span><\/i>\u00a0is Kizz\u2019s first from his independent imprint, FlyBoy inc.<\/span><\/p>\n

The 20-track album features Diplo, Dj Exclusive, Diamond Platnumz, Wretch 32, Sarkodie, Davido on the viral single ‘One Ticket’and recent FlyBoy inc signing, Philkeyz with production efforts from Major Bangz, Philkeyz, DJ Coublon, Luush, MOG, Killertunes and JayPhizzle.<\/span><\/p>\n

Click\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0to find out more of our favourites from this year.<\/span><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Some of the best of the LP we are grateful for in 2018. Burna Boy had shut down the internet with his vibrant collaboration with Lily Allen in the song “Heaven\u2019s Gate” while M.I Abaga […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":19537,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9400],"tags":[],"location":[8172],"yst_prominent_words":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42071"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/28"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42071"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42071\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19537"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42071"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42071"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42071"},{"taxonomy":"location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/location?post=42071"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=42071"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}