Without a shadow of doubt, album culture in the Nigerian music space got revived in the 2020s era. Before 2020, albums were almost extinct but ever since the 2020 era began the culture has been revived – thanks to Covid. With the time frame from January 2020 – December 2023, Here are the top 15 albums of the 2020s so far:
15. More love, less ego – Wizkid:
Released on the 11th of November 2022, it is the 5th studio album by Wizkid. The album was released as a follow up for his previous album Made in Lagos. Featuring superstars like Skepta, Ayra star amongst others, The album recorded good success, locally and internationally.
14. Celia – Tiwa Savage:
Tiwa Savage’s 3rd studio album earns a deserved place on this list. The album released August 2020 on the back of lead singles ‘Koroba’ and ‘Temptation’, features appearances from San smith, Davido, amongst others.
13. 19 & Dangerous – Ayra Starr:
Ayra Starr’s debut album also earns a deserved place on this list. The album was released on the 6th of August 2021. A primarily R&B album, it amassed over 30 million streams in its first two months on all DSPs.
12. Mr Money with the Vibe – Asake:
Following his unprecedented run of hit singles in 2022, Asake’s highly anticipated debut album was released on 7 September 2022. Heavily infused with Amapiano, all 12 tracks on the album were produced by Magicsticks. It peaked at number 66 on the Billboard 200 chart in September 2022.
11. Carpe Diem – Olamide:
Off the back of lead singles; ‘Greenlight’ and ‘Eru’, Olamide released his eleventh studio album on 8 October 2020. The album features starlets such as Omah lay and Bad boy timz. The album is the most commercially successful of all Olamide’s albums and in less than a year, it climbed 500 million streams on all recognized DSPs.
10. The Villain I Never Was – Black Sheriff:
Blacko’s debut album makes the list. Released on 6 October 2022, it came off the back of a monster hit lead single, ‘Second Sermon’ the remix of which features Burna boy. The album debuted at number 12 on the Billboard World Albums Chart.
9. Rave & Roses – Rema:
An album that will be majorly remembered for producing one of the biggest songs in Afrobeats history, ‘Calm down’, was released on 25 March 2022. Rema’s debut album recorded incredible success both locally and internationally one of which is peaking at number 2 on the Billboard US world albums charts.
8. Timeless – Davido:
Timeless is the fourth studio album by Davido and it earns its rightful place on this list. The album was highly anticipated and it was released on March 31, 2023 with guest appearances from the legendary Angelique Kidjo, Cavemen, Asake, amongst others. Widely regarded as his most accomplished album yet, the album was nominated for the best global music album at the 66th Grammy Awards.
7. Love, Damini – Burna boy:
Burna’s sixth studio album was released on 8 July 2022 after a year break from releasing albums. The album which was criticized according to Burna’s standards has received Gold certifications in Canada, Denmark, France, Netherlands, Sweden and the UK.
6. Boy Alone – Omah lay:
Regarded by many as the album of the year for 2022, Omah lay’s debut album earns a rightful place on this list. The album which produced hit songs such as Soso spent at least a year on the top 10 albums on NG Apple music and Spotify.
5. The Angel You don’t Know – Amaarae:
Amaarae’s debut album comes in at number 5. The album was released on 12 November, 2020. A R&B/Afropop album, Amaarae on this album depicts both in tones and dialects her two homes growing up, America and Ghana and also Nigeria where she gained public attention.
4. Apollo – Fireboy:
Fireboy’s Sophomore album earns a place on this list and rightfully so. Released on 20 August, 2020, the album is a follow up for his debut album LTG. The album produced a number of gems and is even regarded more by music fans than his debut album.
3. Work Of Art – Asake:
Released on 16 June 2023, Asake’s Sophomore album has everything to be this high on this list. A grammy nominated song, a song that is regarded as evergreen, a comprehensive track list, only one feature, Asake showed his complete prowess on this album. Records after records, the album keeps proving itself that it can stand the test of time.
2. Twice as Tall – Burna boy:
A Grammy winning album, that alone states why it is number 2 on this list. Burna’s fifth studio album was released on 14 August 2020 with guest appearances from Stormzy, Sauti Sol amongst others. The album won the best global music album award at the 63rd Grammy Awards.
1. Made in Lagos – Wizkid:
Without a shadow of doubt, it is the best album of the 2020s. Wiz’s fourth studio album was released on 30 October 2020. This is one album that can have a say in the conversation for the best album ever in Afrobeats history. Produced one of the biggest songs ever in the Nigerian history, ‘Essence’, featuring Tems, received a nomination at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards for best global music album, peaked at number 1 on the US World Albums (billboards), the album was successful on every front from commercial to critical acclaim.
