It’s been a year of some good album releases for Afrobeats, with chart-topping works from the top guns in the mainstream and the burgeoning talents dropping cool party starters. But this doesn’t mean that just any album released this year is worth your time or ears.
As we gradually approach the end of 2024, we’ve dug through the piles of the year’s music releases to find the best albums it has offered.
“HEIS” — Rema
Rema’s second album, “HEIS”, is a hyperfast music packaged for night-long parties and swarming raves. Rema uses the album to pay tribute to his Edo roots. The title translates to “number one”. “HEIS” has been met with criticisms that question Rema’s artistic integrity and unexpected sound disruption. However, it remains one of the most experimental and daring music we’ve heard this year.
“adedamola” — Fireboy DML
Fireboy DML throws his playboy persona out the window and welcomes the lover boy back on “adedamola”, his self-titled latest album. The project pays tribute to his inspirations like Lagbaja and Wande Coal. Also, shout-out to the wicked babe who made him sing his heart out on hell and back.
“The Year I Turned 21” — Ayra Starr
Ayra Starr’s “The Year I Turned 21 (TYIT21)” album is a coming-of-age project. She sings about personal longing and celebrity pressure. It won’t make you feel like a 21-year-old, but you’ll remember your youthful exuberance.
“Stubborn” — Victony
“Stubborn” is Victony’s semi-autobiography album. Perhaps the title refers to a trait he was known for as a kid or his resilience in the face of adversity, like the life-altering car accident he had. From his low moments to accomplishments to love experiences, Victony finds a plethora of messages to deliver on his debut album.
“Morayo” — Wizkid
Prior to “Morayo”, Wizkid sang about finding his purpose on Asake’s MMS. On his latest album, the Afrobeats superstar celebrates his late mother. Maybe that’s his purpose and it’s the biblical and traditional expectation to honour parents. While that may be the premise of “Morayo”, it’s a coat over the sweet songs, most of which are surface-deep. If you’re in search of a state-of-grief, I-can’t-want-to-leave-without-you, tear-jerking music, this isn’t it. But a good-time with sexy and gyrating tunes? A blast is guaranteed.
“Master of Ballads” — Dwin, the Stoic
Heartbreak survivor’s testimonies, finished lover yearnings and different emotional frequencies define Dwin, the Stoic’s sophomore solo album, “Master of Ballads.” Naked and comfortable in its composition and lyricism, the music warmly welcomes the emotional and slowly takes off the hard-guy mask to accommodate open-hearted vulnerability. That is, it’s made for self-love, romance, heartbreak, grief, rebound and all the affairs and fair shares of relationships. Dwin may call himself a stoic, but he knows how to sing about almost all feelings, including yours, too much.
“Dearest Madam Pt. 1” — DOTTi the Deity
Real lovers should assemble here for “Madam Dearest Pt. 1”. The album’s a sequence of melodious yearnings and affectionate lyrics harmonised for the pleasure of hopeless romantics.
“Homeless” — Llona
If you’re looking for emotive music that covers loneliness, rejection and depression, Llona’s “Homeless” is for you. If you feel as described, the album’s the music that knows your story. Its lyricism shines best when it unclads emotions; it leaves the listeners no choice but to face their demons. “Homeless” is realism and escapism at the same time.
“Lungu Boy” — Asake
Asake shifted from Amapiano production and went after other sound experiments on his third album, “Lungu Boy”. He found new pockets to showcase fresh flows and take his music to global space. “Lungu Boy” is not his best work, but it proves he’s not operating in a box.
“Press Play” — Niniola
It’s been a decade since Niniola entered the Nigerian music scene. In terms of her dedication to her sound and its improvement, she remains one of the most consistent artists. Her new album “Press Play”, like her previous works, clearly explores sophisticated debauchery and enjoyment. It wouldn’t be totally wrong to call Niniola a refined version of juju singer Saint Janet.
