It’s been a long and dramatic year for people all around the
world. The COVID-19 pandemic which resulted in months of lockdown, the #EndSARS
protests against police brutality in Nigeria were among incidents that happened
in 2020 that the world will not forget in a hurry.
2020 was also a weird year for music makers as clubs, event
centers, concerts, cinemas were not allowed to operate for a long period. With
nowhere to go to, it became an abundance of time and free opportunity for
artistes to think of alternative ways to earn a living as well as stay relevant
in the industry.
Amid all the setbacks and chaos suffered by the
entertainment industry, some Nigerian musicians were still able to come up with
a wonderful blend of music, with some releasing singles, and others going as
far as putting out albums.
The albums worthy of mention in 2020 have proved that wonderful music will always find its way to our ears, even in the midst of turbulent times.
Here are five albums that made 2020 enjoyable:
‘TWICE AS TALL’ By Burna Boy
After the success recorded from ‘African Giant’, his fourth
album released in 2019, Burna Boy once again showcased his ability to put out a
powerful and lyrically meaningful album with a perfect blend of melodies yet
retaining his African touch.
‘Twice as Tall’, which is his fifth studio album, was
finally released on August 14, after failing to meet its initial July release
date. In the album, Burna Boy unleashes his own kind of Afro-fusion — a mix of
afrobeat, reggae, dancehall, hip-hop, EDM, and more.
A week after its release, the 15 track album topped the
‘World album Category’ of BillBoard music chart and thereafter secured him his
second Grammy nomination for the ‘Best Global Music Album’ category of the 2021
awards.
He enlisted the likes of Stormzy, Coldplay’s Chris Martin,
Youssou N’Dour, Naughty By Nature, and Sauti Sol, among others.
On ‘Monsters you made’, a track on the album, Burna Boy
vented his annoyance at the government for failing the citizens and also
addressed some of the ills that have become consistent in the African
continent.
‘MADE IN LAGOS’ By Wizkid
After teasing the project for nearly two years Wizkid
finally released ‘Made in Lagos’ on October 30, featuring the likes of Burna
Boy, Tems, Tay Iwar, Skepta, British musicians; H.E.R, an American act; and
Damian Marley.
In ‘Made In Lagos’, the multiple-award-winner stabilizes the
mixture of stars from home and abroad while also blessing music lovers with
offerings that can compete across different cultures yet maintaining his roots.
In the 14-track project, which is dedicated to Lagos,
Nigeria’s commercial city, Wizkid creates a robust sound that not only pushes
Afrobeats into what feels like a new territory but crafts for him his own genre
of music.
Since its release, the album has continued to receive global
recognition including being named as one of The Guardian UK’s 50 Best Albums of
2020.
‘CELIA’ by Tiwa Savage
‘Celia’, which was named after Tiwa’s mother, was released
on August 27. In the album, the 40-year-old pays homage to her mother while
also celebrating beautiful women around the world.
The 13-track project featured music heavyweights like
Davido, Naira Marley, Sam Smith and Stefflon Don, and had tracks like ‘Save My
Life’, ‘Temptation’, ‘Pakalamisi’, ‘Koroba’, ‘Bombay’, ‘Dangerous Love‘, ‘Park
Well’, ‘FWMM’, ‘Ole’, ‘Us’, ‘Attention’, ‘Glory’, and ‘Celia’s Song’.
The album was listed among Time Magazine ’10 Best Albums of
2020′ and was also nominated in the ‘Best R&B category’ of the 2020 Headies
award.
On ‘Celia’, which is a beautiful blend of Afrobeats, R&B
and soul songs, Tiwa displays growth and offers a vibrant, genre breaking
career ahead.
‘A BETTER TIME’ By Davido
After the success recorded from ‘A Good Time’, his 2019
album, the ‘OBO’ crooner again came through with ‘A Better Time’, released on
November 13. The 17-track album title implies a better time than its
predecessor ‘A Good Time’.
The body of work, which was earlier scheduled for July
release, failed to meet the deadline but a new date was announced by the
singer.
The album featured several music heavyweights including
Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown, Nas, Young Thug, international singers and Tiwa
Savage, Mugeez, CKay, Lil Baby, Hit-Boy, Sho Madjozi, Bella Shmurda, Sauti Sol
and Mayorkun.
Some of the tracks in the project include ‘Fem’, ‘Jowo’,
‘Something fishy’, ‘Heaven’, ‘Very Special’, ‘Holy Ground’, ‘The Best’,
‘Shopping Spree’ and ‘Sunlight’.
Speaking about the album, Davido said it was inspired by
Africa’s ethos. “We (African people) always like to celebrate and A Better Time
is that outlet to be free, be happy and hopeful for a better future,” he told
Complex.
‘Fem’, a track on the album, which means ‘Shut up’ in
Yoruba, became the anthem of the #EndSARS protesters, during their campaign
against police brutality and bad governance held across Nigeria.
‘CARPE DIEM’ By Olamide
Olamide, an indigenous rapper who happens to be one of
Afropop’s most ubiquitous voices, on October 8, came through with ‘Carpe Diem,‘
his eighth solo studio album.
Despite releasing the project in the heat of the #EndSARS
protests, ‘Carpe Diem’, his first body of work under ‘Empire Distribution’ a US
label and distribution company, was positively received and widely praised
among music lovers.
On the 12-track album, Olamide talks about issues ranging
from his personal life, fame, money, to issues of love, women, and sex.
With tracks like ‘Another Level’, ‘Green Light’, ‘Infinity’,
‘Eru’, ‘Triumphant’, ‘At Your Service’, ‘Do Better’, ‘Chimichanga’, ‘Shilalo’,
‘Loading’, ‘Unconditionally’ and ‘Plenty’, Olamide sure did justice to the
album.
In an interview — shortly after releasing ‘Carpe Diem’ — the
31-year-old singer, who doubles as the CEO of YBNL Nation, also said he has to
stop restricting his creativity for the sake of his own sanity and mental
health.
“Honestly, the level at which I am right now is very
personal. I am just taking my creativity to the extreme, for my own good, and
for my own sanity,” Olamide said.
“I feel like I have been restricting myself all this while,
and for my own mental health, it is high time to unbox myself and do everything
I have ever dreamt of.”
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