It's going to be a packed second-half to 2020 as some of Nigeria's biggest artists are set to go head-to-head in a war of releases. For some reason, it will be like 2018 American music when everybody from your fave to your not-so-fave released an album.
The announcements have not stopped rolling in and Pulse Nigeria is here to document some of the top releases. Here we go;
10) Niniola
Album Title: Colors and Sounds
Label: Naija Review
Anticipated Release: September 2020
On July 16, 2020, word from the grapevine was that Nigerian singer, Niniola would release her sophomore album, Colors and Sounds in September 2020.
The album would be a follow-up to her critically-acclaimed debut album, This Is Me which was released in 2017. At this time, the date of release is yet to be announced, but the album can be anticipated.
9) Adekunle Gold
Album Title: Afro-pop Vol. 1 [Might have changed]
Label: EMPIRE
Anticipated Release: August/September 2020
When Adekunle Gold released 'Young Love' in September 2019, he announced that his third album, Afro-pop Vol. 1 was set to drop a few months down the line. The album never dropped, but Adekunle Gold has had a much better 2020, with three well-received singles than 2019 when fans were grappling with his rebrand.
A few days ago, even he couldn't hide his excitement at his new single. His new single, 'AG Baby ' sounds like a winner too. This album is eagerly anticipated because About 30 was not exactly well-received. Arguments that his brand had run its course became the order of the day.
Afropop Vol. 1 is where we can gauge the true mettle of his rebrand.
8) Cuppy
Album Title: Original Copy
Label: Platoon
Anticipated Release: August 2020
Cuppy is one of Nigeria's most maligned acts. From criticism related to her affluent background to her opinions on feminism and even to supporting Arsenal, people give Cuppy the gbas gbos at every turn. But for the past two years,
Cuppy has furtively rebranded from 'DJ' to 'Cuppy.'
She's also become more open and interactive on social media. Original Copy looks set to be a 10+ track album with a lot of beautiful features. This is anticipated because Nigerians are still being cynical towards Cuppy and they want to see what she will come up with.
7) Mayorkun
Album Title: Unknown
Label: DMW/Platoon
Anticipated Release: Final Quarter [Presumably]
At this point, nobody knows what Mayorkun will do tomorrow. What we do know is that he's gearing up for something - whether that is an album or an EP, nobody knows. Word on the street is also that he has already secured distribution. In 2020, he has already released three successful singles.
This album is anticipated for two reasons;
1. Mayorkun is evolving and has gotten more experimental. This album will be solid.
2. It's been two years since his debut.
6) Fireboy
Album Title: Unknown
Label: YBNL/EMPIRE
Anticipated Release: Unknown
When Olamide announced the distribution deal between YBNL Nation and EMPIRE in February 2020, he tweeted that we should expect an album by both him and Fireboy.
While Fireboy was silent for a few months, he recently released ‘ New York City Girl ’ and that could signal plans for a new album. Word on the street says Fireboy records every other day and coming up with an album wouldn’t be a problem for him.
5) Davido
Album Title: A Better Time
Label: DMW/Columbia UK
Anticipated Release: August
At this point, it seems Davido is either dropping this because he understands the importance of a good discography as he takes the earliest steps into his veteran days or because he understands that if he sleeps, the new guard will take over.
Nonetheless, A Better Time is just what the doctor ordered. A Good Time wasn’t spectacular, but A Better Time which was initially scheduled for a July release has been rumoured to have some good tracks. Word on the street says we’d get it in August.
4) Burna Boy
Album Title: Twice As Tall
Label: Spaceship/Bad Habit/Atlantic
Anticipated Release: August
A few weeks ago, legendary Nigerian rapper,
iLLBliss raved about the album on social media. While the album was initially set for a July release, Burna Boy who is Africa’s current most recognizable artist looks to have moved the album till August or September 2020.
3) Tiwa Savage
Album Title: Celia
Label: Universal
Anticipated Release: September/October/November
Mummy Jam Jam had a very frustrating 2019, but 2020 already has better prospects with her new single, ‘Dangerous Love.’ A few months ago, she announced that her new album would be titled, Celia.
Since she signed to Universal Music Group in 2019, this superstar has been afforded incredible promo. Expect this album to have maximum promo. This album is so material and anticipated because Tiwa Savage needs a good album more than ever. She doesn’t have a critically-acclaimed album under her belt yet.
Sugarcane EP was a fantastic body of work, but it was an EP.
2) Tekno
Album Title: Unknown
Label: Universal
Anticipated Release: September/October/November
Ladies and gentlemen, this will be Tekno’s debut project of any kind. While that sounds bizarre, it’s not. It speaks more to the reality of the singles market that we live in. As long as they have banging singles, artists can go for years without bodies of work. Tekno was hot in 2016 and he missed a crucial window.
Now, he wants to release an album. While the timing does seem bizarre, he really does need a body of work.
1) Wizkid
Album Title: Made In Lagos
Label: RCA UK/Sony
Anticipated Release: Unknown
Nobody knows anything about this album. For more information, please click HERE. Nobody knows what Made In Lagos is or when it will drop. What we do know is that no album is more anticipated than this album.
We hope it doesn’t become another Detox or
Yandhi. One thing this writer does know is that
Made In Lagos will be tailored to international markets.
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