10 Greatest Albums in the Nigerian Music Industry

The Nigerian music industry is no doubt one of the biggest in the world, this is however due to the works of some individuals, who with their god-given talent and consistency have contributed to the growth of the industry. This said individuals, have continued to churn out dope albums year in, year out, taking the industry beyond the realms of the continent. In celebration and recognition of these individuals, we have compiled the 10 greatest albums in the Nigerian music industry.

Best Albums in the Nigerian Music Industry

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1. Made in Lagos – Wizkid

Wizkid’s fourth studio album is the greatest Nigerian Pop album of all time. The album was released on 30 October 2020 by Starboy Entertainment and RCA Records. It featured guest appearances from Burna Boy, Skepta, H.E.R., Ella Mai, Tay Iwar, Projexx, Tems, Damian Marley and Terri.

Within one week of release, Made in Lagos broke several African streaming records; it became the first African album to debut on the Spotify Global Album chart, debuting within the top ten. The album surpassed 100 million streams across five platforms nine days after release, and one billion streams under a year of release.

Made In Lagos is the longest-charting African album ever in Billboard’s History, spending more than 67 weeks on the chart. It is the highest charting Nigerian album on the Billboard 200, peaking at 28, and number 0n the Billboard world album chart.

It is the most certified Nigerian album of all time, with over 60,000 units sold in the United Kingdom and over 300,000 in the United States. The album received a nomination at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Global Music Album.

2. African Giant – Burna Boy

African Giant is Burna’s Boy’s fourth studio album and one of the greatest albums in the Nigerian music Industry. It was released on July 26, 2019, by Spaceship Entertainment, Bad Habit, Atlantic Records and Warner Music. It was produced primarily by Kel-P, along with production from Benjamz, Dre Skull and Skrillex, among others. The album features guest appearances from Jorja Smith, Jeremih, Damian Marley, Zlatan Ibile, Angelique Kidjo, Serani, M.anifest, YG and Future.

African Giant is one of the most cohesive and original Nigerian albums of all time, It won the Album of the Year at the 2019 All Africa Music Awards and was nominated for Best World Music Album at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards. It charted on the Billboard peaking at numbers 104 and 16 on the Uk albums Chart.

It is also one of the best-selling albums in the previous decade, with 50,000 certified units in France and 60,000 in Canada. it is one of the most streamed Nigerian albums on Spotify, with over 400 Million Streams.

3. Face 2 Face – 2Baba

Face 2 Face is 2face’s debut album as a solo act and one of the greatest albums in the Nigerian Industry as it is often credited for defining the pop scene in the Nigerian music industry. The album was released on May 15, 2004, under the Kennis Music label. It contains hit tracks such as African Queen, Nfana Ibaga and many others

The album reportedly sold over 2 million copies in Nigeria before spreading to other parts of Africa and eventually making an impact in Europe as well. Its success owed much to the lead radio track “African Queen”.  Face 2 Face has been listed by many publications as the greatest Nigerian debut album of the 21st Century by a solo artist.

4. Gongo Aso – 9ice

9ice sophomore album, Gongo Aso is not just an album with evergreen anthems but one of the greatest albums in the Nigerian music industry. The album was released in 2008 under ID Cabasa’s Coded Tunes. It was produced primarily by ID Cabasa along with DJ Zeez. It also featured guest appearances from 2 Face, 9ice, Reminisce, Six O and XP.

Gongo Aso featured hit tracks like Wedding Party, Party Rider, Street Credibility Photocopy and Gongo Aso. The album won the Best Hip Hop Artist of the Year at the MTV Africa Music Awards and four further awards at the 2009 edition of the Headies award: the Album of the Year, Artiste of the Year, Song of the Year and the Best Rap in Pop Album categories.

5. Mushin 2 Mo’Hits – Wande Coal

Wande Coal’s debut album, Mushin 2 Mohits (M2M) is one of the greatest albums in the Nigerian Music Industry. The album was released on April 12, 2009, under Mo’Hits Records now Mavin Records. The album was produced by Don Jazzy and it featured guest appearances from artists like  D’banj, Dr SID, D’Prince  K-Switch and many others.

According to Pulse.ng Mushin 2 Mo’Hits is the blueprint of Nigerian Pop music and arguably the greatest vocal pop album of our generation. The album contains hit songs such as You Bad, Bumper To Bumper, Ten Ten, Jehovah, and many more. It won the album of the year at the 2010 edition of the Headies award.

6. The Invasion – Psquare

The Invasion is the fifth studio album by the greatest Nigerian duo P-Square. It was released on July 29, 2011, under Square Records. The album features guest appearances from Tiwa Savage, Naeto C, Waje, May D, Eva Alordiah, Muna, Akon and Rick Ross.

The album is a well-rounded multifaceted album that is composed of R&B, reggae, hip hop, Europop and contemporary highlife sounds. It contained hits songs such as Beautiful Onyinye, Chop My Money, Asamkpokoto, Forever and many more.

The invasion is arguably P-Square best album to date. It reportedly sold over a million under four days after its release and the won the album of the year at the 2012 edition of the Headies award

7. The Entertainer – Dbanj

Koko Master’s third studio album “The Entertainer”  is not just an album that references D’banj’s skill as an entertainer, but one of the greatest Nigerian Pop albums of all time. The album was released on September 11, 2008. It was produced by Don Jazzy and features guest appearances from Wande Coal, Special Kid, and Kayswitch ‘D Produkt’.

The album is one of the most commercially successful Nigerian albums of all time. It featured hit songs such as “Fall in Love”, “Gbono Feli Feli”, “Suddenly”, “Kimon”, “Igwe”, “Olorun Maje”, and “Entertainer”.  The album just like Mushin 2 Mo’Hits is one of the Mo’Hits records that shaped the Nigerian music industry. According to BellaNaija,  The Entertainer was a plot point in Nigerian pop culture.

8. C.E.O – Dagrin

C.E.O (Chief Executive Omoita) is Dagrin’s second studio album and one of the greatest albums in the Nigerian industry as it was the pioneering album for dialectical rap in Nigeria. The album was released in 2009, under the legendary rapper imprint, Missofuyin Entertainment.

C.E.O was primarily produced by Sossick,  along with Dr Frabz, Sheyman and others. It featured guest appearances from acts like Omawummi, Dark Poet, T drizzle and Bigiano.  The album was nominated for the Nigerian Entertainment Awards for Best Album and won the best rap album at the Headies award in 2010.

Aside from its commercial success, C.E.O created the blueprint for what is now celebrated and commercialized as indigenous rap.

9. A Good Time – Davido

A Good Time is Davido’s second studio album and one of the greatest albums in the Nigerian music industry. It was released on November 22, 2019, through Davido Music Worldwide (DMW), RCA Records and Sony Music. The album features guest appearances from Chris Brown, Summer Walker, Gunna, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Dremo, Peruzzi, Popcaan, Zlatan, Yonda, Wurld and Naira Marley. It was primarily produced by Speroach Beatz, Tekno, Shizzi, Kiddominant and others.

The critically acclaimed album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa in just three months of its release.  It also hit songs such as “If” one of the best-selling Nigeria Songs of all time and “Fall” the second longest charting Nigerian pop song in Billboard history behind Wizkid’s Essence. Other tracks include Assurance, Blow my Mind and Risky.  It is one of the few Nigerian albums to cross the 1 billion streams benchmark across all platforms.

10. YBNL – Olamide 

YBNL (Yahoo Boy No Laptop) is Olamide’s second studio album and one of the greatest albums in the Nigerian Music Industry. . It was released on November 12, 2012, as the follow-up to his debut studio album Rapsodi (2011). The album features guest appearances from Kay Switch, Tiwa Savage, Dammy Krane, Davido, Kidakudz, Reminisce, Base 1, Buckwyla and Minus 2.

Olamide enlisted Pheelz, Samklef, I.D Cabasa, 2Kriss and Tyrone to produce the album. Included in the album are hit songs like “Ilefo Illuminati”, “First of All”, “Stupid Love” and “Voice of the Street”  YBNL is prominent for cementing Olamide’s legacy as one of the greatest indigenous rappers in the country.  It won the Best Rap Album and the Album of the year at the 2013 Headies award.

Summary

For the sake of emphasis and optimization, here is a recap of the 10 greatest albums in the Nigerian music industry.

1. Made in Lagos – Wizkid
2. African Giant – Burna Boy
3. Face 2 Face – 2Baba
4. Gongo Aso – 9ice
5. Mushin 2 Mo’Hits – Wande Coal
6. The Invasion – Psquare
7. The Entertainer – Dbanj
8. C.E.O – Dagrin
9. A Good Time – Davido
10. YBNL – Olamide