Moments when the calendar year draws to an eventful close, has become historic for the Nigerian music entertainment industry. While it may seem the year dragged and dulled from the start, there’s always a surprising switch-up with the influx of album releases and premieres at it nears the end.
This period alone has seen Wande Coal’s most-anticipated comeback with his sophomore disc, Wanted. Lord finally answered my prayers when sultry chic, Seyi Shay dropped her debut, Seyi or Shay. Comical rapper, Falz came through with Stories That Touch. Olamide’s Eyan Mayweather has started to cause a stir – like obviously expected. Naeto C dropped 2 albums in 2015 alone, the latest being Festival. Runtown’s debut, Ghetto University is also in stores nationwide. Likewise Burna Boy’s On A Spaceship, which premiered just recently.
2015 has now become the hottest contender year for the best albums dropped in record time. This combining feat has taken us down memory lane on some of the hottest (and best) albums that have been released in the last decade. Here’s our findings as presented in this post below.
Face 2 Face – 2face Idibia (2004)
Amidst controversies that trailed Nigeria’s then uber successful music group, Plantashun Boiz, one-third of it members, 2face Idibia went ahead to put out his first solo effort. “Face 2 Face” was majorly R&B themed, yet heavily influenced by afro hip-hop vibes and it became an instant hit selling over 2 million copies nationwide, later extending sales to other parts of West and South Africa. The LP was preceded by the yet evergreen and award-winning tune, African Queen, and contained other record hits including Nfana Ibaga, Ole, Right Here, U No Holy Pass and Keep On Rockin’. This album officially introduced the ingenious concept of 2face’s musical art and became the defining platform on which he’s built to attaining his otherwise legendary status today.
P-Square – Get Squared (2005)
After twin singing sensation, Peter and Paul Okoye had wowed Nigeria with their locally-accented vocal swag, complemented with a riveting dance poise, they garnered the attention of music pundits to eventually deal us what we now refer to as the first milestone in their musical career. “Get Squared” is P-Square’s second studio album, themed on hip-hop and commercial R&B. It is also one of Nigeria’s very few albums that can actually be played from the very start to the last track’s finish without having to press skip. The 13-tracker reportedly sold over 5 million copies, and contains sonourous numbers Story, Bizzy Body, Get Squared, Oga Police, Say Your Love, Temptation, Your Name, Omoge Mi and E Don Happen.
2face Idibia – Grass 2 Grace (2006)
As at the time, Tubaba was at the helm of industry affairs having risen to the peak of his career. He continued his winning streak with a sophomore disc “Grass 2 Grace” selling over a million copies in it’s first week of release. This was also the disc that opened him to more award wins including a MOBO in the year 2007. It joins the very short list of Nigerian music albums that can enjoy full length of play without having to use the skip button. This musical collection includes hit records See Me So, For Instance, True Love, If Love Is A Crime, One Love, No Shaking, I Dey Feel Like, E Be Like Say, Ocho and My Love.
P-Square – Game Over (2007)
What Peter and Paul gave us in the year 2005, was nothing but a tip of the iceberg; a foretaste of what was later to come. By 2007, Do Me was the song that dominated the airwaves featuring vocals from Waje’s lush soprano. It later became the single that preceded their third studio album “Game Over”. With reportedly over 8 million copies sold, Game Over contained musical hits that held sway on the music charts all year round. Songs reminiscent of this commercial R&B/afro pop themed LP will include No One Like You, Do Me, Ifunanya, Roll It, More Than A Friend, Am I Still That Special Man, Miss You Die andGame Over.
