The Best 10 Debut Albums in Afrobeats History
Tanzania
2
You know what they say about first impressions lasting longer. Well, that can also be said about artists.
There’s hardly anything that makes an artist relevant more than a debut album. Not in this industry anyway. And, not that I know of.
The difference between Wizkid and Burna Boy, for example, is that no matter how many of Wizkid’s records Burna surpasses, he’ll never have an impactful debut album like Wizkid – that ship sailed a long time ago.
The debut album is very important, and that’s why not so many artists in the history of Nigerian music have been able to pull off an impressive debut.
Here’s a handpicked list of the best ten debut Afro albums from this era.
10. Timaya – True Story
https://www.boomplaymusic.com/share/album/11100?srModel=COPYLINK&srList=ANDROID
Maybe before Timaya, the boys from the South were not really getting the national press. But he changed that for good with this classic album, “True Story” that he released 14 years ago.
The LP which had the hit single, “Dem Mama” is one of the most commercially successful albums from the 2000s. The sound, which is predominantly dancehall, does have some elements of Afro. It is what inspired the Patorankings and Burna Boys of today.
9. Davido – OMO: The Genesis
https://www.boomplaymusic.com/share/album/1164497?srModel=COPYLINK&srList=ANDROID
Davido came one year after Wizkid, and although his album hasn’t aged quite as well as Wiz’s, his debut is not to be compared with the crap we get in this industry today.
“OBO: The Genesis” didn’t just have so many hits, it was also a culturally appropriate debut. Seeing how big David is right now, he’s come a long way from then, for sure. But his best project came some nine years ago.
8. Chike – Boo Of The Booless
Boo of the Booless
The latest album on the list, “Boo of the Booless” is a sacred one. Released in 2020, Chike‘s debut went on to become the soundtrack of the lockdown, during the height of the global pandemic.
Five, ten years from now, people will definitely be calling this one a classic. Lyrically, sonically, it’s an amazing album!
7. Olu Maintain – Yahooze
Yahoozee!!
Before his debut, Olu Maintain had previously released music as part of the group Maintain that he formed in the 90’s. In 2004, they broke up and he continued his career as a solo artist.
He made one of the biggest contemporary hits in Nigerian music history in “Yahooze,” a track from his debut album, also named “Yahooze.” The album was literally everywhere in 2008.
6. Fireboy – Laughter, Tears, and Goosebumps
Laughter, Tears & Goosebumps
Fireboy released his eclectic debut album in 2019 and since then, not so many people have been able to put out projects considered better than LTG. It’ll take a couple more years before we get an album that’s as fine as this.
The album which has been compared to Wizkid’s “Superstar” is already being hailed as a modern classic.
5. Kizz Daniel – New Era
New Era
Around the time Kizz Daniel dropped his afro-pop debut album, “New Era,” so many artists dropped a lot of things, EP, albums, singles etc. It didn’t matter. Kizz Daniel just doesn’t miss.
“New Era” is actually the best album released from the mid to late 2010s. It wasn’t deficient of hits either.
4. Brymo – The Son of a Kapenta
#TheSonOfaKapenta
Brymo is an all round musician. He might be the most powerful alternative artist in the country right now, but back in 2013, his Chocolate City debut was the Album of the Year.
“The Son of a Kapenta” is a mad project. Imagine packing songs like “Ara.” “Good Morning,” and “Omoge Campus” in one album!
3. Wizkid – Superstar
Superstar
Some say it’s the best debut of all time. With the impact on the culture this album has had and its current relevance, I really can’t argue with anyone who says it is.
“Superstar” is simply what it is; a classic. Wizkid may have surpassed Superstar’s commercial success with his other albums, but there’s no doubt that it’ll be impossible to create a masterpiece like that again.
2. Wandecoal – Mushin 2 Mohits
Wande Coal
Wandecoal’s “Mushin 2 Mohits” was what ushered in the new afro-pop sound. Wande created a blend of fine R&B and Afro and made a correct album. Without the release of M2M in 2009, there might never have been a “Superstar.”
This album is also part of what stamped Don Baba J’s legacy in the industry.
1. 2Face – Face 2 Face
2face
It’s just impossible to do it like 2Face and Kennis Music did it. “Face 2 Face” is 2Face Idibia’s debut solo album and it houses the single most popular African song of all time, “African Queen.”
Nobody could ever remake that. Not in 2004, not in 2014, and definitely not right now.
Which Album Do You Think We Missed?
Let’s hear from you.
Drop a comment.
There’s hardly anything that makes an artist relevant more than a debut album. Not in this industry anyway. And, not that I know of.
The difference between Wizkid and Burna Boy, for example, is that no matter how many of Wizkid’s records Burna surpasses, he’ll never have an impactful debut album like Wizkid – that ship sailed a long time ago.
The debut album is very important, and that’s why not so many artists in the history of Nigerian music have been able to pull off an impressive debut.
Here’s a handpicked list of the best ten debut Afro albums from this era.
10. Timaya – True Story
https://www.boomplaymusic.com/share/album/11100?srModel=COPYLINK&srList=ANDROID Maybe before Timaya, the boys from the South were not really getting the national press. But he changed that for good with this classic album, “True Story” that he released 14 years ago.
The LP which had the hit single, “Dem Mama” is one of the most commercially successful albums from the 2000s. The sound, which is predominantly dancehall, does have some elements of Afro. It is what inspired the Patorankings and Burna Boys of today.
9. Davido – OMO: The Genesis
https://www.boomplaymusic.com/share/album/1164497?srModel=COPYLINK&srList=ANDROID Davido came one year after Wizkid, and although his album hasn’t aged quite as well as Wiz’s, his debut is not to be compared with the crap we get in this industry today.
“OBO: The Genesis” didn’t just have so many hits, it was also a culturally appropriate debut. Seeing how big David is right now, he’s come a long way from then, for sure. But his best project came some nine years ago.
8. Chike – Boo Of The Booless
Boo of the BoolessThe latest album on the list, “Boo of the Booless” is a sacred one. Released in 2020, Chike‘s debut went on to become the soundtrack of the lockdown, during the height of the global pandemic.
Five, ten years from now, people will definitely be calling this one a classic. Lyrically, sonically, it’s an amazing album!
7. Olu Maintain – Yahooze
Yahoozee!!Before his debut, Olu Maintain had previously released music as part of the group Maintain that he formed in the 90’s. In 2004, they broke up and he continued his career as a solo artist.
He made one of the biggest contemporary hits in Nigerian music history in “Yahooze,” a track from his debut album, also named “Yahooze.” The album was literally everywhere in 2008.
6. Fireboy – Laughter, Tears, and Goosebumps
Laughter, Tears & GoosebumpsFireboy released his eclectic debut album in 2019 and since then, not so many people have been able to put out projects considered better than LTG. It’ll take a couple more years before we get an album that’s as fine as this.
The album which has been compared to Wizkid’s “Superstar” is already being hailed as a modern classic.
5. Kizz Daniel – New Era
New EraAround the time Kizz Daniel dropped his afro-pop debut album, “New Era,” so many artists dropped a lot of things, EP, albums, singles etc. It didn’t matter. Kizz Daniel just doesn’t miss.
“New Era” is actually the best album released from the mid to late 2010s. It wasn’t deficient of hits either.
4. Brymo – The Son of a Kapenta
#TheSonOfaKapentaBrymo is an all round musician. He might be the most powerful alternative artist in the country right now, but back in 2013, his Chocolate City debut was the Album of the Year.
“The Son of a Kapenta” is a mad project. Imagine packing songs like “Ara.” “Good Morning,” and “Omoge Campus” in one album!
3. Wizkid – Superstar
SuperstarSome say it’s the best debut of all time. With the impact on the culture this album has had and its current relevance, I really can’t argue with anyone who says it is.
“Superstar” is simply what it is; a classic. Wizkid may have surpassed Superstar’s commercial success with his other albums, but there’s no doubt that it’ll be impossible to create a masterpiece like that again.
2. Wandecoal – Mushin 2 Mohits
Wande CoalWandecoal’s “Mushin 2 Mohits” was what ushered in the new afro-pop sound. Wande created a blend of fine R&B and Afro and made a correct album. Without the release of M2M in 2009, there might never have been a “Superstar.”
This album is also part of what stamped Don Baba J’s legacy in the industry.
1. 2Face – Face 2 Face
2faceIt’s just impossible to do it like 2Face and Kennis Music did it. “Face 2 Face” is 2Face Idibia’s debut solo album and it houses the single most popular African song of all time, “African Queen.”
Nobody could ever remake that. Not in 2004, not in 2014, and definitely not right now.
Which Album Do You Think We Missed?
Let’s hear from you.
Drop a comment.
Comments (2)
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New Comments（2）
Mwandu Msendo
Olaoluwavbdv:
nice one
Olaoluwavbdv
nice one
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