Top 10 2020 Nigerian Albums

2020 has been such a dramatic year but musicians all over the world held it down for us as we went though whatever drama came up anytime. Our Nigerian musicians have also stepped up and delivered powerful albums and extended plays. Below is our list of the top ten 2020 Nigerian albums- in no particular order.

10 Chike- Boo of the Booless
Release date- February 14, 2020
This album combines love themes in a very phenomenal way, and maybe that was why it was released to coincide with valentine’s day. it is just too beautiful to pass up. Pulse Nigeria describes it as a well traveled delivery by a sound craft of different influences, and gave it a rating of 9.8 out of 10, which is by far their highest rating of albums this year. Chike was a project fame west Africa participant and runner up in a season of The voice Nigeria. This is his debut album which later became the most listened to album in early 2020. ‘Beautiful people’ is our favorite track. What’s yours?

9 Adekunle Gold- Afropop vol.1
Release date- August 24, 2020
This album is such a masterpiece. A writer for Native Mag said ‘It is an unexpected display of musical dexterity’. It also marks the significance of Adekunle Gold’s growth in experimenting with Afropop and western sounds. It is such a nice blend, and if it had been promoted well, it would have been up for a Grammy nomination. The massive streams that supported this project is a proof of its success! It also proves that Adekunle Gold knows the entrails of music and he is very good in putting together a body of work. If you listened to Afropop volume one, you would know how compelling it is. ‘Pretty girl’ is our jam. What’s yours?

8 Patoranking- Three

Release date- August 27, 2020
According to him, ‘Three is all about love, happiness and life’. Pulse Nigeria gave it a 7 out of ten, stating that all the sounds on the album are cut from different sub-genres of Afropop. Patoranking is the king of dancehall in Nigeria and it is breath-taking how he incorporates it all with afrobeats. Of course, ‘Abule’ is our fave? Tell us yours in the comment section.

7 Fireboy DML- Fireboy DML
Release date- August 19, 2020
This is Fireboy’s second studio album, and it is electric!, but no, not in a way that wants to make you stand up and stand dancing or stuffs like that. The electricity it generates is calm, yet not subtle. Pulse Nigeria gave it a rating of 7.6 out of 10, stating that the album was created with international appeal and that it documents Fireboy’s artistic evolution. ‘Champion’ is our vibe on the album. What’s yours?

6 Tiwa savage- Celia
Release date- August 27, 2020.
Tiwa is a queen of music and the way she brags about this is to no none’s detriment. She is also very thorough on her albums and ‘Celia’, her third studio album and American debut album is proof of that. She is probably the oldest among Nigerian singers but ‘Celia’ proves that she hasn’t lost her touch one bit. Pulse Nigeria gave it a 6.4 out of 10, while Native Mag described it as ‘a formidable pop album’. The album produced our fave rebel song with the famous line ‘I no come this life to suffer…’ from the ‘Koroba’ single.

5 Olamide- Carpe diem
Release date- October 7, 2020
‘Carpe diem’ is French for ‘Seize the day’ and it is also a Latin phrase that urges a person to enjoy the present and worry less of the future. This is what Olamide did exceptionally on his album. The YBNL boss ‘seized’ music streaming platforms with his album, and we are not disappointed. Pulse Nigeria gave it am 8.5 out of 10, saying ‘it produces honest and vulnerable moments on cohesive pop album. It is Olamide’s eleventh studio album and it is still a a banger!. ‘Another level’ sets a fascinating mood for the album, so it is our favorite track. Tell us yours in the comment section!

4 Yemi Alade- Empress
Release date- November 20,2020
Drumroll first! Yemi is literally the queen of Afrobeats, and as a successful artist with world tours under her belt. She proves she is a music genius with her work on ‘Empress’. The beats on the album are sick, and listening to it felt like Christmas celebration. Kudos to the producers who worked to deliver this almost perfect album. The unique thing about this album is how it features guest artists from all over the world. The Mzansi youth choir from South Africa, two francophone artists, two Nigerian artists and Grammy award winning Estelle. Boomplay music gave it an 8 out of 10. Lead singles on the album charted on Billboard Global Triller as number 9 and number 15 respectively. ‘Rain’ is an ageless song which is probably the fast track to earning her a Grammy nomination for the album, so it is our favorite. What’s yours?

Read also:Top 20 2020 movies

3 Burna Boy- Twice as tall.
Release date- August 14, 2020.
‘Oluwaburna’ as he loves to call himself. is literally the most global Nigerian artist. Don’t argue. He has two Grammy nominations now; the second one being for ‘Twice as tall’. Rolling stone magazine recorded that this album amassed 11.4 million streams stateside and debuted as number 54 on the top 200 Albums chart. Burna boy describes his style as Afro-fusion, and this album is a perfect embodiment of it. So, if you haven’t listened to this album, you might not get to experience it firsthand. Our jam is ‘Way too big’. Yours?

2 Davido- A better time
Release date- November 13,2020
It is a follow up on his 2019 ‘A good time’ album. The collaborations on this album makes it ‘a better time’ indeed. Pulse Nigeria stated that ‘his understanding of music will always stand out and help him to level certain playing fields’. The massive streams that greeted this album alone would force one’s curiosity to stream the album. It is an impressive project, and ‘Holy ground’ seems to be our best jam.

1 Wizkid- Made in Lagos
Release date- October 30, 2020
Wizzy baba! We know we said the arrangement is in no particular order, yet, this is arguably the most renowned Nigerian album both at home and in several countries. The streams go beyond ‘massive’, and the fact that this album trended on social media for almost three weeks after its release suggests how addictive the album is. Pitchfork said ‘ It doesn’t pretend to dig deeper than escapism and a bit of symbolism’ while Pulse Nigeria gave it a 7.2 out of 10, saying that ‘It chronicles personal topics in an evolved and calm manner’. ‘Blessed’ is easily our favorite track on the album, and we want to know yours in the comment section.