Top 10 Nigerian EP/Albums In 2020 – Which Is The Best Of Them All?

Posted by E.L.E.X on December 10 2020 under Celebrities

There has been no other year the album culture got this huge attention in Nigeria’s music industry.

This is a year, almost all Nigerian artistes at all levels are so much interested in dropping a body of music work, even if it is 4 tracks EP or a full 17 tracks album.

It’s so good to see that the long-lost album culture in Nigeria’s music industry is back and stronger.

To release a good album, it takes a whole lot of creative input and conscious hardwork as well as strategies.

It’s not easy to make an EP/Album that will create an amazing listening experience in the minds of fans.

This year, some artistes got it right with their EP or Album while others will be looking forward to getting it right next time.

As Nigeria’s number 1 music and entertainment website, it’s our attitude to give props to whom it’s due.

Below Are Our Top 10 EP/Albums In 2020:-

1. Burna Boy – Twice As Tall

The fifth studio album by the self-acclaimed African Giant, Burna Boy was released on August 15th, 2020.

The project recording session took place during the coronavirus lockdown which had Mama Burna Bode Ogulu and American Rapper Diddy serving as the record’s executive producer.

The project is a mixture of Afrobeats, Dancehall, and Hip hop which was produced by both local and international creative producers and also features guest appearances from Sauti Soul, Chris Martin, Stormzy, Youssou N’Dour, and Naughty by Nature.

The album has so far gotten positives reviews from music critics on the media spaces. Listeners have hailed the singer’s work ethic and stating the album is amazing.

The project is admirable to see Burna Boy balance his signature sound with hints of exploration in collaboration such as “Monsters You Made” all while remaining true to his mother tongue.

The level of acceptance from fans in diaspora made the album top charts for several weeks and also listed as the Top 10 albums of 2020 by the New York Times.

And finally, “Twice As Tall” has been nominated in the recent Grammys awards as the Best World Album which will the singer’s second nomination in a row and also the first African to be nominated in that category.

2. Qdot – Alagbe

Qdot Alagbe Album

I know it’s quite a shocker seeing Qdot’s debut album “Alagbe” taking the second position is a list that comprises many albums from top artistes.

Well, considering the Grammy Standard factors used in selecting and ranking albums, Qdot’s Alagbe album took it’s the rightful position, as it clinged on to the 2nd best albums released in 2020.

The 17 tracks album was released on the 18th November 2020, and within few days of release, it has more tracks already topping charts and also on repeat on my music lovers playlist.

“Alagbe” album is unarguably the album that houses more hit tracks percentage (7 hit songs out of 17 tracks) than any other album released this year.

With featuring from many Industry shakers like; Jaywon, Niniola, Patoranking, Xsmile, 9ice, Alh. Wasiu Alabi Pasuma & Zlatan.

3. Fire Boy – Apollo

YBNL superstar artiste has been dominating the Nigerian music industry ever since he rose to the limelight.

Debut album, “Laughter Tears & Goosebumps” is widely accepted by many music enthusiasts which have birthed “Apollo” in the space of nine months.

Fireboy has adhered to utilize his grand and buzz which is working transcendently for him.

4. Adekunle Gold – Afro Pop Vol 1

Over the last few years, I have seen Adekunle Gold grow into different phases in a bid to fine-tune his persona into something that we understand and not just accept.

His latest release “Afro Pop, Vol. 1” which was released in the 8th month of 2020 has the new AG Baby persona written all over it.

Personally, I am just glad to see him embrace this pop star life.

One valid thing I could pick from this album is the fact that it was not a ‘Do-or-Die‘ affair. After all, it was AG himself who said ‘Ariwo Ko Ni Music‘, meaning noise does not translate to lyrical vibes.

It is no doubt that Adekunle Gold presents his claim for the king of Afro-Pop title and did very well in the execution of the album.

As at when writing this piece, “Adekunle Gold” Afro Pop Vol.1 is driving close to 41 million plays on Audiomack which is a clear indication that the project was widely accepted.

Just imagine if Afro Pop Vol. 1 had Burna boy’s PR, then it might just be considered for a Grammy nomination.

If he continues in this line of creativity towards Afro-Pop sound, his next album release might just seal him as African’s King of Afro-pop sound.

5. Olamide – Carpie Diem

Olamide moved to showcase his music consistency with the release of his 11th Studio Album tagged “Carpie Diem“.

The album which was released on the 8th of October, 2020 turned out to be a well-put-together body of work with all tracks showing Olamide singing and rap skills.

The album is no doubt a reflection of how Olamide has evolved from being a hardcore rapper to a dance-hall singer to a Trapster.

With tracks like “Triumphant” featuring Bella Shmurda, “Infinity” featuring Omah Lay, “Loading” featuring BadBoy Timz, “Shilalo” featuring Phyno, “Eru“, “Greenlight” among others, this album is one of the albums all Nigerian music lovers agreed to its dopeness.

6. Wizkid – Made In Lagos

The album which is released on October 30th 2020, is the fourth studio album of the self-acclaimed Star Boy.

The albums garnered so many comments from music lovers around the world and many tagged it the best to have come out of Africa in the year 2020.

The album had served as a soothing apology to fans by Wizkid to reaffirm his love in their hearts after the floppy albums he had earlier released before MIL.

Made in Lagos comprises of multiple genres that makes it easy for all kinds of music listeners both home and abroad to relate with the songs therein with no stress.

Within just 7 days of release, Made in Lagos had already broken several records.

It became the first album from Africa to debut on the Spotify Global Album chart and passed 100 million streams across five platforms nine days after release among others.

Even the earlier postponement of the album did not quench the hunger of the fans for its release and they are satisfied with the content and the effort Wiz put in delivering this great Album.

7. Bella Shmurda – High Tension

The LASU bred singer started his successful music journey of 2020 with his much-anticipated EP titled “High Tension“.

The 7-track EP already gave a hint of how Bella Shmurda is going to end this year on a good note.

His unique vocals and amazing songwriting skills were noticeable on all tracks on the EP.

Listening to this EP will literarily give you goosebumps. Bella is too Good and this EP proves that.

8. Kizz Daniel – King Of Love

The Nigerian music industry is highly competitive sandwiched with its unpredictable and evolving nature. Its a man eat man system.

Kizz Daniel understands that – Like water, It takes the shape of its container – Daniel takes the shape of whatever is thrown at him in this industry.

Released during the bitter peak of the dreaded Coronavirus on June 25, 2020, “King of Love” is a work of a generational talent that continues to perfect his craft.

At 17 tracks, every song on this album is a hit and will do well as singles.

Though Critics will point at Vado’s slut-shaming, body shaming, and petty antics in songs like ‘Fvck You’ and “Pak N Go”.

Nevertheless, the real taste of a top album should be similar to opening a new box of gifts: exciting & unexpected….. Vado has achieved all of that in King of Love.

Every song in this album is fit for every occasion and mood.

As of today, ‘King of Love’ album has over 50 million streams across all digital streaming platforms and has continued to receive great reviews amongst music journalists around the world.

No doubt, King of Love has a big shout for the best Afro-pop album that Nigerian music has seen in the year 2020

9. Omah Lay – Get Layd EP

The month of May might be full of negative news but it’s definitely a breakthrough for Omah Lay as he released his much-anticipated EP “Get Layd”

While its title is definitely inciteful, Omah Lay announced himself as the Nigerian breakout act of 2020 so far with a 5 track EP filled with extremely mon

With over 250 million streams across all digital platforms, Omah Lay became the first African artiste to be highlighted by the Africa Rising Initiative launched by Apple Music, a music and video streaming platform.

His talent has gotten him in the mouth of all music lovers, a very vital instrument that got him a nomination in the category of the headies next rated!

There may not be something on here for everyone but there’s everything on here for fans of Omah Lay.

10. Davido – A Better Time

DMW Helmsman, Davido released his third studio album “A Better Time” on the 13th of November 2020.

This masterpiece project had talented creative producers, one of them is outstanding Napji who owns the production credit for one of the biggest songs in Africa named ‘FEM’

The engineering, mixing, and mastering was top-notch too, Good Job by STG and Dremo.

Davido tried striking a balance between the international market and the local music scene.

The versatility of the project increased the acceptance hugely.

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