5 Classic '80s Albums

Before the likes of 2Baba and Wizkid earned international fame, the rising stars of the pre-independence and independence eras made waves with their indigenous music. Arguably, these periods were the most thriving in the music scene in Nigeria.

They gave birth to some of the finest musicians in the country today who discovered their musical identity like the late IK Dairo who is renowned for incorporating the electric guitar to juju music. He was also paraded as the biggest African star in the 60s that fetched international fame.

Music of these eras despite their indigenous sounds infused with western styles celebrated life. Lyrics were not lewd, rather laced with realities such as ‘Joromi’ and ‘Mami Water’ by music inventor Victor Uwaifo.

Music from the 80s and 90s were as instructive as they were entertaining, the songs had meanings that would continue to resonate eons after they were recorded.

Music from the 80's brings back a lot of Nostalgic feelings

5 Classic albums of the 80's

- Christy Essien Igbokwe - Ever Liked My person


Christy came to spotlight for the first time in 1976, it was in a satirical NTA TV series, The New Masquerade. A year after, at the age of 17, she launched her musical career and released five records before hitting with Ever Liked My Person in 1981.

- Fela Kuti - Beast Of No Nation

Beast of No Nation is Fela’s Post-Africa 70 political records. After nearly a decade of performance with the newly assembled Egypt 80, he has reached a more melodic and globally relative sound as against the local traditions of the Africa 70 while maintaining his loose vibe. Beasts of No Nation’s sleeve shows Margaret Thatcher, Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev as devils.

- King Sunny Ade - Juju Music


Juju Music was what turned Sunny Ade to King Sunny Ade. 1982 was Afropop and juju sound defining year, Juju Music was an international hit, a timely and commercial success. The album peaked at #111 on Billboard’s “Pop Albums” chart and The New York Times described it as ‘the year’s freshest dance-music album’ and was credited in 1990 to have launched the ‘World Beat movement in the United States’.

Majek Fashek - Prisoner Of Conscience


Shortly after Majek Fashek disbanded The Jastix in 1988, he signed a solo career deal with Tabansi Records and released Prisoner of Conscience in 1989. A track in the album, ‘Send Down the Rain’ became the most popular song of the year. Prisoner of Conscience is a powerful debut and Fashek won six PMAN awards in 1989 including ‘Song of the Year’, ‘Album of the Year’, and ‘Reggae Artist of the Year

Evi Edna Ogholi - Happy Birthday 1988

Happy Birthday is the most popular and can also be considered as her magnum opus. The song ‘Happy Birthday’ was released in 1988 under Polygram Records (later Premier Records) and was played all over Nigeria. Even today, people still play the song at birthday celebrations. This album also houses classics like Ririovara and Mesage to the youths.