The Nigerian music industry has gone through tremendous growth in the last couple of years, but the growth was as a result of the work put in by the talents and teams, burning candles and keeping the torch on. Importantly, most of the artists we see on a path of global domination today did not just start today. They have been working on their craft, bidding time and sharing good music.
Interestingly, there are so many artists today who have walked the walk when it comes to experiencing the Nigerian entertainment market, knowing what it is and looks like, as well as working on projects and building a brand for themselves.
On WN Picks this week, we look at 5 albums that will be turning 10 in 2023, highlighting the artist and the album itself.
Burna Boy – L.I.F.E
Released on August 12, 2013 under Aristokrat Records, ‘L.I.F.E’ is Burna Boy’s debut studio album, and an acronym for Leaving an Impact for Eternity.
This album served as a follow up to his second mixtape, ‘Burn Identity’ which was released in 2011.
On the first day of its release, L.I.F.E sold 40,000 copies, and Aristokrat Records then sold the album’s marketing rights to Uba Pacific for N10 million.
Some of the hit songs on the 15-track album are ‘Like To Party,’ ‘Yawa Dey,’ and ‘Run My Race’
Olamide – Baddest Guy Ever Liveth
Released on November 7, 2013 under YBNL, ‘Baddest Guy Ever Liveth’ is Olamide’s third studio album following ‘Rapsodi’ and ‘YBNL.’
Baddest Guy Ever Liveth won Best Album of the Year at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Award and won Best Rap Album and Album of the Year at the 2014 Headies Awards.
Some of the hit songs on the 21-track album are ‘Durosoke,’ ‘Anifowose,’ ‘Turn Up,’ ‘Dope Money,’ and ‘Rayban Abacha.’
Tiwa Savage – Once Upon A Time
Released on July 3, 2013 under Mavin Records, ‘Once Upon A Time’ is Tiwa Savage’s debut album with a robust feature of great artists on it.
Once Upon A Time was met with several positive reviews from fans as well as entertainment enthusiasts, also getting nominated as Best Album of the Year at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards as well as Best R&B/Pop Album at Headies Awards in 2014.
Some of the hit songs on the 21-track album are ‘Eminado,’ ‘Ife Wa Gbona,’ ‘Kele Kele Love,’ and ‘Wanted.’
D’banj – D’Kings Men
Released on June 24, 2023 under DB Records and Sony Music, D’Kings Men was produced by Don Jazzy, Jay Sleek, and Dee Vee.
D’Kings Men received mixed reviews from music critics and entertainment enthusiasts with some applauding the work done on it while others felt it was an average album.
Some of the hit songs on the 24-track album are ‘Don’t Tell Me Nonsense,’ ‘Oliver Twist,’ ‘Sister Caro,’ and ‘Scape Goat – The Fix.’
Reminisce – Alaga Ibile
Released on November 7, 2013, Alaga Ibile is Reminisce’s second studio album with high profile features like Eleniyan with Wizkid, and Daddy featuring Davido. Other features include those with Naeto C, and Olamide.
According to reports, Alaga Ibile had an estimated million copies sold. Also, Reminisce was named one of the seven ‘Global rappers you should meet’ by Time Magazine in 2014.
Some of the hit songs on the 16-track album are ‘Sunkere,’ ‘Fantasi,’ ‘Eleniyan,’ and ‘Daddy Mi.’
Honorable Mentions
The five albums on the WN Picks this week are some of the most popular albums when they were released 10 years ago, but those are not all.
There are also some albums released in that same year that we can say have aged well including albums like ‘Me, Myself and Eye,’ by Sound Sultan released on September 2, 2013, ‘R&B W’ by Banky W released on February 14, 2013, ‘Desire’ by Iyanya released on June 3, 2013, ‘Fire of Zamani’ by Ice Prince released on October 28, 2013, and ‘Merchant, Dealers and Slaves’ by Brymo.
Conclusion
The Nigerian music industry has grown and the songs listed on our WN Picks released from 10 years ago is proof of that. The albums themselves seem like they were released just yesterday and all have songs we can still jam to today at parties.