It’s been an interesting year in the Nigerian music industry; and of course we’ve had those who have been smoking up and those who haven’t even bothered to show up this year. We will talk about those who didn’t show this year in another article.
In our one of a kind music roundup, we’re looking around the industry and attempting our year end review of Nigerian music artistes.
Who’s been smoking hot ?
It’s impossible to write a list like this and not start with Davido; the self styled “Omo Baba Olowo” has had a phenomenal year. He has done no wrong this year with the smash hit “Aye” which quickly became an anthem as well as collaborations with Mafikizolo as well s Diamond Platinum. He has owned the music industry. He topped his phenomenal year with an BET award.
Here’s the gist; if Davido ain’t performing, your party ain’t jumping!
Next up, we have to mention Wizkid. Up until his album “Joy” dropped to mixed reception; he has had an amazing year. Every track he jumped on seemingly turned to gold. From “show me the money” to “on top your matter”. Apart from his album which seemed to come off as tired (as we had heard pretty much heard everything on it), he can’t complain too much. Even his minor fall out with E.M.E was resolved. As he always says… yaga!
When I say “Mr. Oreo”, I’m pretty sure the image of a sunshade clad, muscled man rolling his waist has already wandered into your mind. Even after cutting off ties with ace producer D’tunes, he has shown he has the kind of star power to keep making hits!
Baddo! Mr. Olamide began this year on a high from the good reception his album “Baddest Guy Ever Liveth”. From the gunman pose which served as the album art, the self professed Voice of the streets served up hit after hit and his new album “Street OT” is out in stores. Olamide can’t complain too much, the streets still have too much love for him.
One of the best Nigerian albums this year is arguably Sean Tizzle’s “The journey”. With the direction of D’tunes, this album cements Sean Tizzle’s position as a genuine A-lister and it establishes D’tunes as a real maestro.
And it’s Don Jazzy again! He seems to have finally started relishing his role as a singer. He has long moved away from being the tearful back up voice in Mo’hits songs to a making his own hits. He performed at UNICEF recently and one has to give him credit for keeping a steady ship even with the departure of two of his biggest artistes.
It seems unfair to put Asa into the same list as every other human being. If there was anything Asa’s first album did, it was to prove to the rest of the world that she was simply on another level. Her latest effort “Bed of stone” simply reinforces what we already all know. The album is so smooth it feels sinful to listen to it and not just be awed and speechless.
Flavour easily makes this list especially as his recent album “Thankful” has proved to be a true musical gem which everyone should listen to time and time again. His recent effort with Wande Coal is a slight departure from his usual highlife smooth style but the clubs and bars in Lagos aren’t complaining!
Brymo is probably the closest we have to anyone in Asa’s class. It takes true genius to release two phenomenal albums in one year and one of these albums was amidst a bitter court case with Chocolate city. “Merchants, dealers and slaves” and “Tabular rasa” are albums which have become talking points. So much so that Akon has been recently rumoured to be interested in having him on board.
It seems that P-square should make these kind of lists by default; arguably Nigeria’s most consistent musicians, their recent album “Double trouble” has a bit of a foreign feel thanks to the hit song off the album “Eje ajo” which features American rapper T.I.
They’ve stayed together amidst rumors of a possible separation and they both found time to get married to beautiful women. Hats off to them
Omawumi has had a great year and even made things interesting by getting married! Becoming a brand ambassador to reputable brands certainly didn’t hurt and her music seemed the better for it. With singles like “Megbele”, it’s easy to say Omawumi is in the music business for the long haul.
There’s no gainsaying that Banky W has had a good year. Not only has he found the courage to show his bald head in music videos, he has persisted in his dance videos which every rational human being seems to find mildly amusing. His “Jaiye Ori mi” has practically become the national anthem of Trace TV and with solid collaborations with Sarkodie and Phyno, Mr. Capable has had a blast!
It’s impossible to conclude without mentioning Patoranking, Sheyi Shay as well as Yemi Alade, 2face and Falz the bad guy (with him humorous instagram videos).
That’s all folks!