OneJoblessBoy

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Top 7 Debut Albums Since 2014

Music is life! When you enjoy an album, you keep going back to it without being able to place a finger on the exact reason why you love it.

The album keeps drawing you in. At first, some tracks are the reasons for your revisiting the project. Not long after, you are humming some other songs on the project.

Since 2014, we have witnessed the release of some solid Nigerian music albums but these ones stand out to me for various reasons.

Apart from standing the test of time on my playlists, these albums mean so much to me and I believe you enjoyed some of them too.

In no particular order, here are my 7 best debut Nigerian albums since 2014:

Falz – Wazup Guy: The Album

In 2014, a relatively unknown Folarin Falana flying high off singles like High Class, released his debut album – Wazup Guy: The Album.

With little or no anticipation, Falz dropped a critically acclaimed project that also had songs like Currency, Toyin Tomato, Marry Me featuring Yemi Alade, Poe, and How Far featuring Sir Dauda.

Years later, Falz went on to sign Sir Dauda after multiple collaborations.

Reekado Banks – Spotlight

Despite successful appearances on singles like Turn It Up, Dorobucci, Chop Am, Adaobi, Looku Looku, Katapot and Corner, no one really gave Reekado Banks a chance to drop a dope album.

When Spotlight dropped in 2016, Nigerians knew an album had indeed dropped.

Executively-produced by Don Jazzy and Mavin Records, the album had amazing songs like Hey Stranger, Ladies & Gentlement, and Problem. Songs like Katapot, Oluwa Ni and Standard were bonus tracks on the project.

Altims, Baby Fresh and Don Jazzy were responsible for the superb production on this project.

The major criticism the project received was about its length. A number of people 21 songs was just too much but what can a boy with too much gbedu wey dey burss brain do?

Sean Tizzle – The Journey

When you talk about a match made in heaven, I think Don Jazzy and D’banj, Kiss Daniel and DJ Coublon, D’Tunes and Iyanya, Sean Tizzle and D’Tunes.

Sean Tizzle’s run while under the D’Tunes – led Difference Entertainment was phenomenal.

In 2014, the duo worked on an album that went on to stand the test of time. Tiwa Savage, Olamide, 9ice, Reminisce, Iceprince, Naeto and Kcee all featured on the album.

The project boasts of tracks like Kilogbe, Perfect Gentleman, Mama Eh, Komole, and Igi Orombo.

After the album, people who previously thought he was trying to be another Davido could tell that Sean Tizzle is his own man.

Phyno – No Guts, No Glory

With the release of Phyno’s debut album – No Guts, No Glory , Eastern Nigeria witnessed the enthronement of a new rap king.

Grimy and gritty stories told straight from the heart could be heard on Phyno’s debut project.

The album influenced pop-culture with songs like Alobam, Parcel, and Man Of The Year (Obago), and Ghost Mode featuring Olamide.

Indeed, 2014 was a good year for music fans. Phyno’s unanticipated triumphant entry into the Lagos market was heralded by strategic moves by IllBliss and Clarence Peters.

The Coal-City based producer became an A-List artiste shortly after NGNG dropped. 

The album was so successful that merch created off the project flooded the streets and basically sold-out.

The album re-introduced producers like Major Bangz and J Stunt to music fans.

Adekunle Gold – Gold

After Adekunle Gold released a few successful singles like Sade and Orente, a bunch of people still felt the Graphics Designer and ‘Photoshop King’ was just a fluke riding his luck.

Little did we know he was here to stay. While everyone wondered when he will run out of luck, Adekunle Gold was plotting his debut album.

The album released in 2016 under Olamide’s YBNL records was aptly titled Gold and had songs like Nurse Alabere, Pick Up, Orente, Work and Ariwo Ko.

Till this day, I remain pleasantly shocked at what Adekunle Gold did with that project.

The album will be played for many years to come.

Fireboy DML – Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps

As soon as the album dropped, Fireboy DML’s Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps started drawing comparisons with Wande Coal’s 2009 classic, Mushin 2 Mo’Hits.

Yes, Fireboy’s debut project abbreviated as LTG is that good. With no collaborations, Fireboy gave his fans every bit of him he could.

The album dropped in 2019 at a time no one was expecting a project from him. Everyone was pleased with his singles and wanted him to take his time but the guys at YBNL felt he was more than ready, so much that Olamide didn’t drop his own album; a yearly ritual for him.

The result is power tracks like Vibration, Scatter, Jealous , Gbas Gbos and Need You.

Music producer, Pheelz was at his best on this project. The album is for those who love rhythm, are cool and young 🤣or whatever Pheelz’ production tag says.

Kiss Daniel – New Era

Before he became Kizz Daniel, he was Kiss Daniel. For someone that already massively successful singles like Woju, Woju Remix and Laye, the only possible concern was how he could keep up momentum.

After teasing fans for a few months, Kiss Daniel and G-WorldWide eventually released his debut album in May 2016.

Aside his label mate at the time – Sugarboy, no other artiste was featured on the 20-track album. This was a big deal at the time because only young artistes who had huge balls could pull off a debut project without major features.

The album had hits like Mama, Jombo, Napo, Laye, Woju, and Good Time.

DJ Coublon, Young Jonn, Masterkraft and Jay Sleek are some of the producers who came through for Kiss on this debut magic.

Surprisingly, not too many people complained about the length of the album. The album artwork was heavily criticized though for not being well thought out.

Kiss Daniel (now Kizz Daniel) won everyone’s respect with his debut project.

Which debut Nigerian albums (released between 2014 and this day) deserve to make this cut?

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