Today we talk 2020 in African music. During the first quarter of 2020, some African albums were rated best by unorthodoxreviews.com. Among them are: Gafacci – “Face the Wall EP”, J Hus – “Big Conspiracy”, Kida Kudz – “Nasty”, Olamide – “999”, Kobla Jnr – “The Sex Tape”, Bryan The Mensah – “I Don’t Feel Like Going Outside”, 2Baba – “Warriors”, Sizz The Truth – “Greyskies Are Smokescreens” (GAS), Lady Jay – “Anywhere You Dey”, E.L – “Song For The Girls 3”, Odartei – “Cool”, Skillz8Figure – “Gangsta Luv”, M.I – “Judah the E.P”, Sister Deborah – “The African Meraid”. All these albums were released between January and March.
Some other African artist who have released albums between January and June 2020 include Brymo, Asikey, Sauti Sol, Les Amazones d’Afrique, Tamikrest. Now, we are looking at albums in West Africa, Nigeria specifically that dropped in the last 6 months. Of course many other albums have dropped in July but the focus is on the first two quarters for now.
No. 4. Asikey – From the Yellow (EP) which dropped May 1, 2020
Asikey released her 7-track second extended play titled Yellow. It was produced entirely by Mikky Me Joses and features a collaboration with singer Brymo. The EP explores topics such as mental health, self-love and upliftment. In a review for Pulse Nigeria, Motolani Alake awarded the EP a seven out of ten rating, praising its production and commending Asikey for making her words believable and being “cursed with projecting her honesty”. This is a Folk, EDM, R&B/Alternative album.
No. 3. Brymo – From the Yellow Alternative pop which dropped April 1, 2020.
Yellow is the seventh studio album by Nigerian singer Brymo, released independently on April 1, 2020. It serves as the follow-up to his live album LIVE! at Terra Kulture Arena (2019). Yellow was crafted from hedonism and is a departure from the dark themes deployed on Oso. Described by Brymo as an album about “love and survival”, yellow is an alternative pop and electronic record that incorporates elements of sentimental ballad, trap, sophistic-pop, shoegaze, rock, synth-pop folk. Nigerian singer Lindsey Abudei is the only artist featured on the album. Yellow was initially meant to comprise 17 songs but due to technical issues, two songs were omitted from the project. The album was supported by the single “Strippers + White Lines”.
No. 2. Olamide – “999” which dropped February 11, 2020.
2020 marks the Nigerian rap veteran’s 10th year in the game. YBNL boss Olamide thus released a surprise EP “999” earlier this year. The 9-track hip-hop album spots guest appearances from regular collaborator Phyno and a host of up and coming names on the Nigerian hip-hop scene such as JayBoi, Sosa-E, Rhatti, Snow, Cheque and Jackmillz. The third track on the project, “Billion Talk” spots a guest appearance from his 5-year-old son Milly-a must listen.
No. 1. 2Baba – “Warriors” which dropped February 28, 2020.
Nigerian afro-pop legend 2Baba, formerly 2Face Idibia, marked his 20th year in the music industry in 2019, and crowns this achievement with 9th studio album dubbed “Warriors”. The 13-track album is star-studded with guest appearances from the likes of Wizkid, Burna Boy, Olamide and Tiwa Savage. “Warriors” is a celebration of the singer-songwriter’s longevity and perhaps an acceptance of his legendary status.
Read up more about these artist and albums on various websites.
