Music in my ears: 31 Great Music Albums in Nigeria

Rating music is one of the most difficult subject to embark on for the reasons that music is a very highly subjective product of human endeavor, our music tastes are different and varied as much as the different genres that exist.

In this write up I will attempt to compile a selection of some of the greatest contemporary albums in Nigeria. This selection is by no means a technical or critical appraisal of the various albums, rather major consideration is given to other factors such as longevity as in albums that have stood  the test of time and the songs will still sound pleasing to the ears after many years, relevance as in having songs that have  relevant messages and are still relevant in our socio- cultural context.

Also considered are impact albums or albums that have a song or songs that made great impact in terms of national spread and acceptance or was a pace setter for a particular genre of music.

 The wholesomeness of the album was also considered by that I mean that one would have no need to skip tracts which simply means all the songs are worth listening to and there is little or no issues in terms of use  vulgar words etc.

I excluded certain artistes for the reasons of their 'not to be contested' status either for their legendary status or for the uniqueness of their music which make them peculiar works of art. This will include, Fela, Victor Uwaifo, Sunny Ade, Ebenezar Obey, Prince Nico Mbarga, Oliver De Coque, Osadebe Femi Kuti and other legends of the trade.

The period of coverage however includes the Funk Rock era of the late 70's through the Nigerian Pop era of the early 80's to the reggae filled late 80's to the resurgent of the Nigerian music in the mid 90's till date.

In no particular order, my list goes thus:

1. I need someone- Kris  Okotie (Changed the perception that music was for drop outs, title tract was a monster hit, leading album of the Nigerian pop music era)

2. Prisoner of Concience- Majek Fashek(introduced one of Nigeria's greatest talent with the hit song 'send down the rain')

3. Lamentation for Sodom- Terra Kota (revolutionary album that changed the music equation from the pop era to the reggae era paving way for Majek, Mandators, Ras Kimono etc)

4. World of  My Dreams - Samsong (wholesome gospel album from beginning to the end)

5. Super Sun- Bez (the very best of neo-soul music in the Nigerian landscape)

6. Asa- Asa (this album berthed neo-soul in Nigeria)

7. Jagznation vol.1- Jesse Jags (even Damian,Stephen and Ziggy Marley will press replay on this album)

8. Lover Boy- Felix Lebarty (embodied everything the Nigerian Pop era had to offer)

9. Chicks and Chicken-  Esbee Family (great Funk/Soul/Pop presentation from Nigeria' s version of Dynasty,)

10. Across the Desert- Sweet Breeze (In my opinion, the best album from the Funk/Rock era of the late 70's )

11. Body and Soul- Plantation Boiz (One of the albums that reawakened the music industry in the mid 90's and threw up Tuface Idibia, Faze and Black Face)

12. Face to face- Tuface Idibia(This album gave us 'African Queen' and brought Tuface to limelight)

13. Conqueror- Oritz Wiliki (Technically one of the best produced albums in Nigeria, great reggae songs from begining to the end)

14. Promised Land - Majek Fashek (Great experimentation in Reggae and Rock fusion only The Police/Sting have done it a shade better than Majek)

15. Game Over- PSquare ( Can't talk Afro Pop without this album)

16. Master of the Universe-Panam Percy Paul (Great Gospel album)

17. The Bard- Silver Saddih (Out of the very few full  R'n'B albums in Nigeria, The Bard is simply fantastic)

18. Unchained- Sunny Neji (Brought high life music back to the fore. The massive hit wedding song 'Oruka' came from here)

20. Congo Aso- 9ice(Cross Over Pop, Fuji album worth remembering)

21. The year of R 'n' B- Capital Femi ( Arguably the best full R'n'B album on offer till date)

22. The Paradigm Shift - Mode 9 ( Rap album the way it should be done)

23. Mr Raggamuffin - Daniel Wilson (when it was time to switch from full Reggae to Ragga, this album made it happen paving the way for  Blackky, Desmond Dread, Felix Duke etc)

24. About Tyme- Blackky- ( The album that Confirmed the ragga/toast genre in Nigeria. Remember 'Rosie', 'Blackky Skank' etc)

25. Jealousy- Remedies (When the Afro hip hop chapter of Nigerian music is mentioned, these guys will surely be on the first page, I mean Eeedris, Tony Tetuila and Eddy Montana)

26.  Blessed- Flavour ( This album points the way for the 21st century high life music which is basically the music that is coming out of Nigeria at the moment even though the artistes call it Afro Beats)

27.One Love- Onyeka Onwenu (At a time when Nigerians where not so appreciative of Nigerian music this album was one of the stand out albums of the mid 80's and the song 'one love' was a regular feature on DJ mixes)

28.Respect Africa- Bright Chimeze ( Okoro Jnr, effectively bridged the gap between the older generation of high life artistes and the newer generation and this album was a template for future high life acts)

29. Say No - Alex O (Alex O extended the space for Nigerian Pop in the face of domination by reggae artistes and this album relesed in 1990 stood out)

30. Ace - Shina Peters (The phenomenal album that sold Juju music to non Yoruba speaking people across the world)

31. Concert Fever - Mike Okri (Concert fever opened the chapter for Afro pop)

This is by no means an exhaustive compilation as there are other excellent albums that made great over the years up till this moment. Again one may have missed out on some recordings. Hence it makes sense to add to this list.
Peace.

Album Review: Jagznation Vol.1, Thy Nation Come

Album:                 Jagznation Vol.1, Thy Nation Come
Artiste:                 Jesse 'Jesse Jagz' Abaga
Year of Release : 2013

 

It's been a while I did an album review and my last was on www.naijasidecomments.com which is more or less now dedicated to sports matters when the need arises. More so reviewing an album has become a drag not that there have not been releases, but simply because all our musical talents tend to bring the same thing to the table these days.

 

I must confess that I had previously not reckoned much with @JesseJagz the musician , but his reputation as a producer has never been in doubt. Hence his debut album under Chocolate City label passed without my own appraisal .

 

Jesse caught my attention and indeed the public attention with his decision to take a personal sabbatical to work on his sophomore album which indeed he was technically out of the scene for close to two years. Next was the bombshell about leaving Choc City which was more like leaving the cover of a shelter into a stormy night. On hindsight, one can safely conclude that his decision was the best judging from the first product by his personal effort : 'Thy Nation Come' which is the subject of this review.

 

Jagznation Vol.1: Thy Kingdom Come is an 18 track Cross Over  album leaning heavily on the reggae side of music which is a great deviation from the current wave of Nigerian music.

The album opens with the cough laden 'intro' with a heavy reggae bass line that gives a picture of what the album is all about, the intro flows into the more groovy 'Burning Bush' and further to the third cut 'Bed of Roses' an easy flow motivational rap song with the heavy bass line that characterizes the whole album.

 

Jesse Jagz successfully employs his hip hop background to full effects on the album with full blown rap verses running on reggae rhythm  while at times mellowing with R&B feel like in songs like 'after party' which features former label mate Brymo and on 'where you at' and 'pedal on the floor'

while not forgetting the memorable choruses that bridge the rap verses.

 

His delivery of Patois is near perfect on the full reggae tracts such as 'redemption song',  'desire', the melodious 'sativa' which sounds much like his 'third world war' movie sound track and on the feel good love anthem 'bad girl' which features Wiz Kid.

One cannot also fail to notice the acoustic improvisation on 'mamacita' and the violin and keyboard  overlay on some of the songs.

 

Theme wise,  Jagz touches on various subject in the album include sex, money, weed,deprivation, spirituality and also motivating at some point.

 

'Thy Nation Come' also deviated from the current norm of featuring many guest artistes with minimal collaboration with Brymo, 9ice, Wiz Kid and James Marwik.

 

In all 'Thy Nation Come' is about the best Nigerian  musical work in year 2013 and is worth collecting as it will still be pleasing to the ears in years to come.

 

My last line is that the Tuff Gong boys, I mean Ziggy, Stephen, Damian, Julian and Kimani should start making space for their Nigerian "distant brother' Jesse Jagz at the top of Reggae/World music platform. 

 

Ratings: 4/5 

 

The Reggae Rebound

I have watched the Nigerian music scene all these years and all the while.
In the 70's and 80's, Reggae music was a dominant genre across Nigeria, apparently  buoyed  by the continuous struggle for liberation of the people locally from oppressive and repressive Military and sometimes corruption ridden civilian regimes in the country.
Hence, musicians such as Sunny Okosun, Majek Fashek, Victor Eshiet, Ras Kimono,Terra Kota, Orits Wiliki, Peterside Ottong, Mawell Udoh ,and Alfa Kuffa were the unofficial mouth pieces of the people deploying the reggae medium into effect.

Internationally, these artistes also lent their voices to the liberation struggle across Africa. All these came to a decline with the dismantling of apartheid set up in South Africa, Namibia, etc and the installation of civilian democracy in most parts of Africa.

At this point, the liberation message was no longer relevant and as such the beat changed  more so with the influence  of raga and dance hall coated vibes coming through from Jamaica with the likes of Shaba Ranks, Papa San, Yellow Man, Chaka Demus and Pliers etc.
The Nigerian artistes caught up with the toast and ragga bug hence we had our own in Blackky, Daniel Wilson, Sweat, Felix Duke, Kuppa Victory, Dready Samaiko, Desmond Offong, Alex Zitto all doing their stuff in the ragga/dance hall/toast format.

Their efforts were also truncated by the near total collapse of the entire entertainment industry during the uncertain and chaotic period following the cancellation of the widely accepted presidential elections of 1992.
 The Nigerian music industry bounced back with a new music forms brewed from the ghettos in Ajegunle, Orile and Okokomaiko and other similar hoods across the country. these various forms have evolve into what is called Afro hip hop or Afro beats today. This development seems to have relegated reggae music to the back seat, but recent developments seems to be changing all that.

In the midst of the decline in reggae music, some die hard appostles remained resolute , these will include Rymzo, Jahcub, Henry McJohn and a few others. Reggae indeed would become a one track feature in albums released by major acts.
Lateley, a resurgence and rebound of the act is becoming obvious with the likes of General Pype, Rymzo,Jesse Jags, Benny P holding forte while  Ras Kimono, Pasto Goody Goody and even Majek Fashek are making a return to the scene.
It is now let to be seen how the music loving public will embrace these late rebound of this fascinating, conscious and message laden music form.

Top Indepent Music labels and Entrepreneurs in the Nigerian Music Industry

In particular other, we examine the top music labels and other entrepreneurs whose efforts and investments has re- engineered and is sustaining the Nigerian music industry.

1. Chocolate City- Audu Makori led Chocolate City label in a few years have stamped itself as a force to be reckoned with. Its roster though tilted heavily to artistes from  the Northern part of the country include MI, Jesse Jags, Ice Prince and Brymo

2. Kennis Music/Prime Time Entertainment- The  trio of Kenny Ogungbe, Dayo Adeneye and ID Ogungbe need no introduction in the as far as Nigerian entertainment is concerned within the last 15 to 20 years, some of the artistes they have nurtured and brought to limelight include Tuface, Paul Play, Remedies as a group and individually as Idris Abdulkareem, Tony Tetiula, Eddy Montana, Essence, Kenny St. Brown who is also a co-founder of the label,Jaywon,Goldie, Capital Femi, Rasqie, Azadus, Yinka Best and Marvellous Benjy and a host of other artistes who have been with them at one point or the other,
3.Mavin Records- After splitting with former partner Mo Hit partner D - Banj, Mavin Record Boss and one of Africa's best producer Don Jazzy is still maintaining a good grip on the record business with artistes like Dr Sid, Tiwa Savage, Wande Coal and D'Prince . Don Jazzy indisputably has about the highest number of production credits around Africa and is equally on the production team of Kanye West's GOOD Music imprint.
4.Empire Mates: Co -owned by Banky W, artistes on the roll call include Banky himself, Wiz Kid, Skale etc
5. Storm Records- The Obi Azika led label few years back was home to some of the top hit makers around. The list will include Naeto C, Shasha, GT the Guitar man, Ikechukwu and Tosin Martins . Storm Record has been in existence longer than most people know having been around since the  late 1980's and being responsible for bring the rap duo of Junior and Pretty into limelight.
6. Now Muzik- Now Musik is without doubt the number artiste management outfit in the country. The Efe Omoregbe led outfit has managed so many talents including Tuface, Faze, Sunny Nneji, Terry G, Tunde and Wunmi Obe to mention but a few.
7. Capital Hill/Goretti Company-The Clarence Peters and Ill Bliss combo is gradually building a solid stable to include Ill Bliss, Chidinma, Phyno, Da Suspekt
8.SoForte - Soforte is an automated music distribution company established by former Kush member Lara George with her husband few years ago. A brave effort in attempting to stream line the chaotic distribution in Nigeria. So forte is more visible with the CD retail at Mr Biggs restaurants nationwide

How Indigenous Record Companies Contributed to the Development of Nigerian Music Industry

The Nigerian music industry witnessed a dominance of recorded music from foreign labels in the 1960's to the 1970's. Some of these recording companies include Philips West Africa limited which later metamorphose to Polygram and currently Premier Music, The British owned Electric and Musical Industry popularly called EMI which is currently known as Ivory Music and Decca West Africa or Afrodisia Records.
These companies were later joined in the early 1980's by CBS later called Sony Music.
Together, these foreign owned companies were responsible for the recording and release of the major musical works of Nigerian artistes as well as the marketing of foreign music in Nigeria .

 

However in the late 1970's, Popular Apala musician Chief Haruna Isola had established Phonodisk Limited which had a record pressing factory in Ijegbu Igbo and employed ace producer as the production person there. Phonodisk innovated and recruited some of the top selling acts then including Kris Okotie, Bongos Ikwe,Amas Grill,Chief Sunny Ade, George Ema, Eric Kol among others.
 Kris Okotie in particular was a musical revelation of some sort who created adequate impetus for the positioning of the Indigenous Recording companies.

Following in the footsteps of Chief Ishola, Prince GAD Tabansi floated Tabansi Records which was responsible for the careers of Felix lebarty,Jide Obi,Ace in house produce Jake Sollo, Esbee Family and others. in the later part of the 80's, Tabansi records produced another in the Nigerian music industry in the person of Majek Fashek with the release of his debut 'Prisoner of Conscience'as well as 'save the masses' by Andy Shurman.
 Other indigenous Record companies of note will include Shanu Olu Records another Ijebu based company that released Terra Kota's debut 'lamentation for Sodom', Chris Robinson Recordings that released Chris Mba's debut 'Love Everlasting', Aba based Top Rank that launched the careers of Daniel Wilson and Alfa Kuffa, Time Records that introduced Oby Onyioha, Rogers All Star that brought to us some of the highlife greats including Prince Nico Mbarga, Supreme Disk that brought out Terry Mackson.
Several other imprint labes existed and together provided a rich catalog of hit songs that were recorded and produced by our indigenous record labels.

Everything Good About Nigerian Music

Welcome to my Naija Classic Music Blog
We simply want to document everything good about Nigerian music
from the Funk filled 70's to the Pop and Reggae  era of the 80's and even every thing good about Nigerian music today.
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