Top 10 Nigerian Albums Of 2020

In the year 2020, the Nigerian music industry was loaded with several albums and it is safe to say that the era of artistes releasing albums is back. Over 20 albums were released despite the coronavirus pandemic and this article highlights Tooxclusives’s best 10 Album of the year.

These projects were thoroughly scrutinized and picked based on quality of Production & Content, The Streams, Amount of Hit Tracks and Acceptance in Nigeria first! before looking Internationally.

Here Are The Top 10 Nigerian Albums of 2020, Peep below

10. Kizz Daniel – King Of Love

Released on the 25th of June, 2020, sensational singer, Kizz Daniel took his rightful place as Africa`s King of Love songs. With 17 songs, no features, and love as the theme of his most talked about body of work, Kizz Daniel kept his prolific track record of not releasing any bad song since his debut into the Nigerian music scene.

The album was passionately written & performed by Kizz Daniel, is executively produced by Mofoluwato Anidugbe, and is loaded with production credits from the most brilliant and creative producers from around the continent including Philkeyz, Majorbangz Runtinz, ATG, and Krizbeatz. It has super dope tracks like “Ada,” “Boys Are Bad,” “Pak n Go,” and “Aii” and all tracks has it own message of Love.

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9. Tiwa Savage- Celia

Since she announced her entry into Motown records, Tiwa Savage dropped a few singles like “Attention“, “Dangerous Love,” and “Koroba,” to keep her fans occupied, Tiwa Savage released her highly anticipated third album titled “Celia“.

Named after her mother Cecilia Savage, the album is a memoir of a classic and typical African woman. Tiwa Savage is unapologetic about being a game-changer in an industry dominated by males without failing to show a vulnerable side to show that she is human after all. The album is packed with hit singles; dope collaborations, and an impeccable show of her sultry vocals.

The album which features the likes of Davido, Hamzaa, Sam Smith, Stefflon Don, Dice Ailes, and Naira Marley snagged the number one spot on charts before its release and is still racking up numbers.

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8. Adekunle Gold  – Afro Pop Volume 1

In 2019, Adekunle Gold began taking steps to change his style of music end even his dress sense. The release of tracks like “Young Love,” “Kelegbe Megbe,” and “Before You Wake Up” gave fans an insight into what he was going to bring to the table. To show that his transformation was complete, Adekunle Gold released “Something Different” and “AG Baby“. The songs were well accepted by fans and on the 21st of August, 2020, he dropped his third studio album “Afro-Pop Vol 1?

Songs on the album include: “Sabina,” “Pretty Girl” featuring Patoranking, “Okay,” “Here For Ya, “Exclusive,” featuring Olayinka Ehi, “Firewood” featuring Tekno, “Something Different,” “Water Carry Me” and “My Ex.”

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7.  Brymo – Yellow

Gifted songwriter and talented vocalist, Brymo blessed fans with his incomparable music gift by releasing a brand new album “Yellow“. The body of work is a solo project without features that houses 15 tracks delivered in different realms. The Yellow album examines life, love, society, and scenarios in three different parts.

Music lovers worldwide dropped positive reviews about this impressive body of work “Yellow” which displayed Brymo`s genius and brilliance at writing and delivery. The album which has no features has outstanding tracks like “Ozymandias,” “Heartbreak Songs Are Better In English,” “Adedotun,” and “A feèdu Fan Nà”

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6. Chike – Boo Of The Booless

Chike`s debut album came like a thief in the night. Released in the month of love, the critically acclaimed album exposed the singer`s deft, beautiful, imaginative, and brilliant songwriting. It circles around a mother`s love, forgiveness, and peace and on infidelity- the ultimate story of love. The 13 track album is filled with beautiful melodies that make it nearly impossible for any listener to skip any song.

Chike`s album got its production from non-famous names such as Deeyaso, Vtekk, Doron Clinton, Adejames Crack, Blaisemix, Bierdman, and Nevmix. This album received millions of streams upon its release and is one of the best projects released this year.

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5. Fireboy – Apollo

Fireboy returned to the music with his sophomore album titled “Apollo”. The album was named after “Apollo” who in Greek mythology is recognized as the Olympian god of light, truth, prophecy, poetry, healing, and music. On his debut album, “Laughter, Tears, and Goosebumps”, he was a loverboy, a hopeless romantic guy but on “Apollo”, he shows a much more confident side that really never gets to see the light.

The album which features D Smoke, Olamide, and Wande Coal displays his outlook on life, his journey as an artiste, and the drama in the Nigerian music space.

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4. Wizkid – Made In Lagos

On October 30th, 2020, Wizkid, after teasing fans for over 2 years, finally released his much-awaited album “Made in Lagos” to collective global acclaim. Made in Lagos which serves as his fifth studio album features a diverse blend of music with enviable range of vocals, and sometimes spectacular rhymes and lyrics meshed by renowned artistes and Wizkid.

Featured guests on the 14 track album include Tems, Terri, Damian Marley, H.E.R, Burna Boy, Skepta, Ella Mai, Tay Iwar & Projexx. It has production credits from Blaq Jerzee, Honter, Juls, Kill September, Kofo, Legendury Beatz, P2J, SAINT MINO, Sammy Made It & Sarz.

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3. Davido – A Better Time

Released as a follow up to his “A Good Time” album, Sensational singer released “A Good Time” which features Bella Shmurda, Chris Brown, CKay, Hit-Boy, Lil Baby, Mayorkun, Mugeez, Nas, Nicki Minaj, Sauti Sol, Sho Madjozi, Tiwa Savage & Young Thug.

The album has production credits from  BlaiseBeats, Chillz (Producer), David ”˜Dante` Okiti, El Jack, Fresh, Fresh_VDM, Hit-Boy, Issac ”˜Masterdon` Azeez, Kiddominant, LordSky, Magicboi, Napji, Papamitrou, Semzibeatz., SperoachBeatz & Xander (US).

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2. Olamide – Carpe Diem

On the 8th of October,2020 sensational rapper and YBNL boss, Olamide released his 10th studio album “Carpe Diem“. The Latin phrase which means “seize the day” was used by the Roman poet Horace to express the idea that one should enjoy life while one can. The cover art which sees the rapper surrounded by stunning ladies sheds more on the fact one should enjoy the pleasures of the moment without concern for the future.

The 12-track album features new wave artistes like his signee, Fireboy DML, Omah Lay, Bella Shmurda, Bad Boy Timz and industry heavyweights like Phyno and Peruzzi. The album was also produced by Pheelz, ID Cabasa, VStix, Young Jonn, and P Prime.

According to Olamide, “The project is a reflection of my mind, and also the current sound brewing underground in Nigeria,” Olamide says. “It`s a combination of a lot of traditional elements and also a sound from way back in Nigeria called galala, which has a little bit of reggae/dancehall. It`s also a fusion of something we call Celestial, which is when you are playing secular music in church. It`s like taking pop to the church.” It is also his first body of work after signing with American distribution company, EMPIRE as he released his 9th album “999” earlier in the year.

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1 Burna Boy – Twice As Tall

On the 14th of August, 2020, Burna Boy released his 5th album “Twice As Tall” after the success of his 4th critically acclaimed album “African Giant“. On this album, Burna once again showed his ability to drop powerful and meaningful lyrics on a perfect blend of different melodies without losing his African touch.

The 15 track album features the likes of American hip hop mogul, Diddy, Coldplay`s Chris Martin, Senegalese icon, Youssou N`Dour, Naughty By Nature, Sauti Sol, and UK-Ghanaian rapper Stormzy. The album is produced by Diddy, Timbaland, Telz, Rexxie, Leriq, and on.

The executively produced by Burna himself, his mother, Bose Ogulu, and Diddy album racked over 7 million streams hours upon its release and is currently sitting on the 54th spot on the Billboard 200 making it the highest Nigerian charting album in the history of the chart.

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Notable Mentions

The Albums below didn’t make it to our Top 10 Nigerian Albums Of 2020, but we need to recognize their efforts and outstanding production (content) by giving them a shout out. They would have gotten a space on the Top 10 list perhaps if Davido, Wizkid and Olamide didn’t later release.

DJ Cuppy “Original Copy”

Dj Cuppy is one artiste that has received so much hate in the music industry just because she was born with a silver spoon. Despite releasing hit songs like “Abena,” “Green Light” and “Gelato”, many still believe that she paved her way to success with her already established background and not her personal efforts. Due to the unnecessary drama and trolling, Cuppy announced that she would release an EP and then retire from the music scene.

Cuppy stayed true to her words and started working on the project but after some time, it graduated from being EP to an album after the addition of some tracks. The title of the album “Original Copy” was picked by her fans (the cupcakes) after creating several polls on social media. The title is a strong oxymoron that portrays Cuppy herself. It accurately depicts the body of work that will showcase Cuppy`s immense talent as a music artiste and her diverse knowledge of great sounds.

On the 21st of August, 2020, Cuppy dropped the highly anticipated 12 track album which features the likes of Efya, Wyclef Jean, Wale, Darkoo, Stonebwoy, Teni, Sir Shina Peters, Nonso Amadi, Julain Marley, Ms Banks, Ycee, and Seyi Shay.

Q- Dot “Alagbe”

Indigenous Nigerian singer,  Qdot release the  “Alagbe” album on the 19th of November, 2020. It features Jaywon, Pepenazi, T-Classic, Niniola, Patoranking, Xsmile, 9ice, Alh. Wasiu Alabi Pasuma & Zlatan. This body of work is a total of 16 songs with a Bonus track project (making it a total of 17 tracks ). The Bonus track on the project is his hit song “Jaiye” released earlier this year 2020. “Ah!” and “Kokanmi” are the lead singles that welcomed this highly anticipated album

Timaya “Gratitude”

On the 18th of November, Timaya released his 7th studio album which sees him take center-stage of his rock-solid artistry with no guest features. For Timaya stans, this album brings a heightened level of experience of the goodness that the Bayelsa star`s music has come to be known for through his 15-year career. It features producers like Yung Willis, Orbeat, Ayzed, Spotless, Wireless Mouth, Chillz, Vibe O, BoomBeatz, Krizbeatz, and Chris Strings.

2Baba “Warrior”

After delivering his 2018 smash hit “Amaka,” 2baba returned to the music scene with a 13-track album titled, “Warrior.” The album is a follow-up to the artist`s last project “Ascension” which was released in 2014. Warriors features music heavyweights including Burna Boy, Olamide, Tiwa Savage, Wizkid, AJ, Peruzzi, Syemca, and HI Idibia.

Patoranking “Three”

On the 28th of August,2020 Dancehall king, Patoranking released his third studio album “Three.” a year exactly after the release of his sophomore album “Wilmer“. The album features the likes of Sauti Sol, Flavour, Tiwa Savage, and King Promise.  According to him, the forthcoming album is about his journey in the industry from the release of his hit track “Alubarika” to the man he is today.