Amebo9ja Best Nigerian Albums & EPs Of 2019
As we wrap up the year 2019, over 30 albums and EPs were released by some of our favourite Nigerian music acts. Davido came through with an album after 7 years, Rema debuted with an EP in hand and Burna Boy bagged a Grammy nod for his fourth studio album.
in hand and Burna Boy bagged a Grammy nod for his fourth studio album.
Amebo9ja picks some of the best albums and EPs out of 2019. The picks are based on the quality of music, the thought process in making it and commercial success is the last criterion.
Below is our Best Nigerian Albums & EPs pick of 2019
1. African Giant – Burna Boy
Damini Ogulu better known by his stage name Burna Boy undoubtedly has the best body of work by a Nigerian artiste in 2019. The Atlantic Records act found a way to serve R&B, Hip Hop, Dancehall and of course Afrobeat on his fourth studio album. There isn’t a dull moment throughout the 17-track album. The ‘African Giant‘ was in November nominated for a Grammy award in the Best World Music Album, hopefully, it wins this category at the forthcoming Grammys.
2. Laughter, Tears & Goosebumps – Fireboy
Probablya few years from now history would applaud YBNL singer Fireboy for this beautiful debut album, LTG. Within a year of his professional debut, Adedamola Adefolahan and his team were able to make LTG happen. The experience of listening to the album top to bottom is just fantastic. With plausible reviews , LTG has great replay value
3. Clone Wars IV: These Buhari Times – SDC
Show Dem Camp brought the fourth installment of their ‘Clone War’ tape. In January they dropped ‘These Bihari Times’ a body of work that holds much of conscious music especially reflecting the times we live in Nigeria. Ghost and Tec brought in the right people on the collabo tracks. The best way to listen to this is probably to put on your thinking cap, lounge on an easy chair and play the tape. Easily one of the best albums in 2019 in content and quality.
4. Moral Instruction – Falz
Falz dropped what would be a surprise album with ‘Moral Instruction‘, the main aim of this was to educate more than just entertain the listener. The time of release was also pivotal as it came before Nigeria’s 2019 general elections. Falz expressed himself without mincing words on various societal issues and he didn’t forget to sample the legendary Fela too.
5. Rema EP – Rema
Without a hint or warning, Mavin Records & Jonzing World unleashed ‘young, wild and free’ Rema with a self-announcing EP. The Rema EP was very brief and potent with four songs which you would each consider a hit to varying degrees. ‘Dumebi‘ was Afrobeat inspired, ‘Why‘ sounded very much like trap music, ‘Iron Man‘ had an Indian flavour to it and ‘Corny‘ is a sterling Afrofusion tune. Rema EP topped iTunes album chart for weeks, a huge feat for a supposed debutant.
6. A Good Time – Davido
Seven years after Davido dropped his sophomore album titled ‘A Good Time’ after several failed promises of a new album. Too many expectations were lined up for this album to fulfill, albeit it left more to be desired. However, ‘A Good Time’ houses some of his finest songs in recent times like, ‘Fall‘, ‘If‘, ‘Blow My Mind‘, ‘Risky‘. The production on this project was top-notch and perhaps some other tracks on the album would catch on after more listen and airplay.
7. Love & Light – Joeboy
emPawa music star Joeboy came on the scene and caused major havoc with back to back hits. Within his first year of debut, Joeboy and his team were able to put together a delectable ‘Love & Light’ EP. The body of work has bangers like ‘Baby‘, ‘Beginning‘, ‘Don’t Call Me Back‘ which are some of the top tunes on TV and radio and several music charts.
8. Woman of Steel – Yemi Alade
At number 8 is Yemi Alade, with her album ‘Woman of Steel‘. First off, Yemi Alade’s album titles have been empowering to the female folks and this one typifies that once again. For years Yemi Alade has only gotten sticks for her lyrics, on WOS the energetic singer made significant improvement in that department. Her album showed growth and lots of self-confidence with a handful of features. ‘Woman of Steel’ album was submitted for Grammy award consideration.
9. Lucid – Asa
The legendary Asa came through with her fourth studio album ‘Lucid’. The album described in one word would be ‘peaceful’. Asa oozed her calm demeanor into her album and as usual, kept her elements as we know it intact. This is especially for people who enjoy a calm and less effervescent kind of music.
10. ILGWT – Sarz & WurlD
The genius music producer Sarz and buzzing singer WurlD came together for a collaborative EP ‘I Love Girls With Trobul’. Listening to ILGWT can make you fall in love and as well get you through a harsh breakup. WurlD came through with solid songwriting and Sarz laid out some of the best instrumentals for the tune.
Honourable Mentions:
Soundman Vol 1 – Wizkid: While fans were expecting ‘Made In Lagos’, Daddy Yo dropped a brand new EP ‘Soundman Vol. 1’ in December. That was about the best way for Wizkid to end a decade of total dominance in the Nigerian music scene and by extension Africa.
Erigma II – Erigga: Known for his clinical punchlines, Erigga, self-proclaimed King of the South dropped a stinging body of work in 2019. The rapper who does it better in pidgin English was hard, raw and thumping on the Erigma II.
Deal With It – Phyno: Phyno’s third album is very much underrated but that’s how it is sometimes. Nevertheless, the rapper and seldom singer had a few moments of brilliance on his third album.
Mandy and the Jungle – Santi: An alte pioneer Santi repped his clan well with his album ‘Mandy and the Jungle’. By the standards of that sub-genre, Santi did well to keep the culture vibrant and a good rival to mainstream music.
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