Album Talks Releases her Top 10 Nigerian Albums of 2023.
Since the turn of the decade, there might have been valid arguments for better musical years than 2023. For the sole reason of sheer musical quality on an average released across the year.
Despite this, it’s no denying that the year has unarguably witnessed an Afrobeats progression and dominance. One significant enough to conclude that 2023 has been an amazing year for Nigerian Music and the Culture in general.
A huge positive to also take from the year is the direction is took, sonically. Regardless of having the usual suspects (Davido, Rema, Asake, Burna Boy e.t.c) scoring solid years in their respect, the musical direction took a much-needed dive into not-so-familiar territory. Spearheaded by the break out of irregular stars such as Odumodublvck and Shallipopi, different from the expected Pop stars.
With the streaming era growing and the album culture still very much in vogue, 2023 produced Albums from a bunch of Nigerian Acts and here are our picks for the Top 10 albums of the year.
Factors (in the order): Overall Quality (including track sequencing, cohesion, production/transitions etc.), Mainstream Acceptance, Commercial Success, roll-out.
Honorable Mentions
ATSG, Vol 1 – Reminisce
Sincerely, Benson – BNXN
Class of ’23 – Ejoya
Vibes Till Thy Kingdom Come – Seyi Vibez
10. TEARS OF THE SUN – Teni
In terms of giving a variety of experiences within one experience, not many 2023 albums betters Teni’s sophomore studio album. A 16-track piece that surprises the average lover of good music with sweeping range, choice of production and impeccable delivery from the singer.
Teni’s greatest attribute was always her need to show her capabilities across different musical territories and to deliver at the highest level on all fronts. With TOTS, she does it at the highest level she ever has.
9. RU the World – Ruger
Ruger’s long-anticipated debut studio album must have come with more than a tad of pressure for the Afropop/Dancehall star. Supported by smartly selected lead singles Asiwaju, Red Flags, Jonzing Boy & Kristy. The 2-year wait for a debut studio album from Ruger was handsomely rewarded with a 17-track multi-genre, marvelously executed, incredible pockets-packed gem of an album.
With Tour and Holy Ground, Ruger also manages to arguably have one of the best Intro/Outro pairs on any album released this year.
8. Thy Kingdom Come – Seyi Vibez
Prolific street-pop star, Seyi Vibez has not just been one of the best Nigerian Artistes since the back end of 2022 but also one of the most consistent. In not just the rapid release of music, but also the quality therein. Thy Kingdom Come stands out amongst his 4 Chart-topping project releases this year.
It encapsulates Seyi Vibez in plausibly his most venerable and open state. Holding the music scene in a chokehold with records off the album such as Man of the Year, Hushpuppi, Karma & more.
7. UNRULY – Olamide
When Olamide announced Unruly might be his last musical offering, expectations for the Album tripled but the veteran Rapper shone in flying colors.
On his 13th studio album, Baddo was able to achieve a perfect blend of his Hip-Hop core and his more recent pop/rnb ventures. Unruly boasts of superb sequencing and arguably one of the best Features list any album had to offer this year.
6. I Told Them… – Burna Boy
Most recently smashing the record for the longest charting African album of all time in the UK, there’s just something that makes you comeback to Burna Boy’s seventh studio album.
Delivering a Song of the Year contender in City Boys, Burna Boy further proves his dexterity and phenomenal levels of music execution.
Asides the underwhelming track with J. Cole doing the album more harm than good, it just doesn’t meet the levels of any of the iconic act’s recent albums.
5. EZIOKWU (UNCUT) – Odumodublvck
EZIOKWU will probably go toe to toe with Timeless regarding albums with the best roll-outs this year. Breaking through the doors with daring confidence in his Multi-delivery fused style of Hip-Hop. ODUMODUBLVCK wasn’t done yet, adding 7 amazing tracks on the extended UNCUT version. All the while delivering one of the records of the year in “BLOOD ON THE DANCEFLOOR”. Just too many goodies on this one!
As at the time of writing, EZIOKWU had spent an amazing 8 WEEKS atop the Nigerian Spotify Albums chart. An all-time record for a rapper. Mind-blowing.
4. Body & Soul – Joeboy
Nigerian Pop star, Joeboy continues to prove his inability to release bad projects. His sophomore album Body & Soul arrived in April.
Other than having a brilliant selection of lead singles(Sip, Body & Soul, Contour & Duffel Bag) to deliver an impeccable roll-out. What stands out is the album’s cohesiveness and the artist’s theme-central approach to the album, giving an experience to listeners. Much like he did on his debut album as well.
3. When it Blooms – Nonso Amadi
Nonso Amadi delivered the shocker album of the year contender. Every year there’s always that one album we all didn’t see coming, but manages to capture our hearts by the sheer quality and experience they offer. Last year it was Obongjayar’s “Some Nights I Dream of Doors”.
When it Blooms feels like a warm bath on a sunny afternoon. The listener is immersed in an encapsulating pop/rnb experience. One that was well planned and executed with impeccable track sequencing and amazing transitions. What an album from Nonso Amadi!
2. Work of Art – Asake
Sophomore Slump? Asake might have never heard of the term cause “won ti ge Asake l’eti lo”. When you thought Asake would probably never make an album near as good as MMWTV, he goes on and make a more-than-Solid competition in Work of Art.
It is as solid a competition for Album of the year as Asake’s Work of Art has everything outside of a staggering 9 Weeks atop the Spotify charts. Incredible roll out, great track-listing, immersive listener experience, Song of the year contender in Lonely At The Top and amazing music all-round.
The album also broke the record for the highest streamed African Album of all-time on Audiomack, months after release.
1. Timeless – Davido
For Davido, Timeless the album meant a lot of things. It was an Album that had as high an expectation as possibly any Afrobeats album in history. It was an album that needed to be great for so many reasons and great it was.
Davido’s Timeless is the album of the year 2023. Boasting of executing unarguably the best roll out of the year. To breaking multiple records, including the Biggest First Day Streams in NG Spotify history, longest charting 2023 #1 Album on Spotify, Boomplay & Apple Music, amongst many other records. To delivering Song of the Year contenders, anthems “UNAVAILABLE” & “FEEL”.
