The Top 10 Albums in Nigeria 2021

Nigeria is a diverse nation with an enormous amount of music coming from all corners. With so many artists and genres, it has become increasingly difficult to decide on a definitive list of the 10 best albums released in the country last year. However, we had to resolve to use the popularity, commercial success, and quality of production of the albums to pick the best. 

This article will provide a list of albums that were released in the country last year, ranging from new artists to already established musicians. 

Top 10 Albums In Nigeria 2021

10. Olamide – UY Scuti

Released in the middle of 2021 after the massive success of the Carpe Diem album, UY Scuti came with a new sound. Olamide’s lyrics were reminiscent of the battle rap days of his career and showed a new maturity. The album was said to have a special meaning, the title alone refers to “star in the galaxy” and it was evident in his performance all through the tracks. The album has 10 tracks with about 30 minutes of playtime and it topped Apple Music in 2021.

9. Ayra Starr – 19 & Dangerous

Ayra Starr is a 19-year-old doing wonders in the Nigerian music industry. The album 19 & Dangerous came out in the sixth month of 2021 and was praised by the public, who was eager to hear something new. Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, professionally known as Ayra Starr was signed by Don Jazzy, and it was under the Mavin Label, Ayra released the album with the lead single “Bloody Samaritans” which got the public talking about her. The album theme is basically on love and betrayal and within the first eight weeks, the songs were streamed over 30 million times. She was able to achieve that with her unique singing which always connected with her audience.

8. Fireboy DML – Apollo Vibe

Fireboy DML is a Nigerian musician also known as Adedamola Adefolahan, who was signed by Olamide Baddo’s YBNL record label in 2019. The artist started putting out tracks that same year with his debut album Laughter, Tears, and Goosebumps which was widely accepted by Nigerians due to his unique style. The real masterpiece, Apollo Vibe came out in 2021 and received a lot of love from the public because of compelling rap and catchy beats to get his message across. The album has seventeen tracks with up to 48 minutes of playtime with songs like “Tattoo”, “Champion” and “New York City Girl.”The album has over 150 million and 60 million streams on Audiomack and Boomplay respectively.

7. Joeboy – Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic

This is another young Nigerian artist making waves, he was born in 1997 and was discovered by Mr. Eazi, who recognized his outstanding talent is also making a mark on the Nigerian music industry. Joeboy, who is also known as Joseph Akinwale Akinfenwa- Donus released this album on February 4, 2021. Just 10 days to valentine to his fans, the album soared on the charts and gathered over 100 million streams on Audiomack and over 50 million streams on another streaming platform known as Boomplay. The usual love and relationship topics were present in most of the 14 tracks contained in the instrumental classic album.

6. Teni – Wondaland

Teni is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and producer who was born in 1992. Teni who is also the daughter of an Ex-Military man has showered the music scene with numerous great hits. Her debut was in 2019 and it was an instant hit. She has been gaining fans, especially with her latest album “Wondaland ” which was released in 2021 with the appearance of David Adeleke, professionally known as Davido. The album has 17 tracks with irresistible melodies and vocals. The songs got massive airplay on all radio stations especially “For You” and “Hustle”. The theme of the album was basically on daily struggles and love.

5. Omah lay – What Have We Done

Omah Lay, who is also known as Stanley Omah Didia released this particular album in late 2020 and the album amassed a lot of air-play from all over the country the following year. That particular album was his second EP with the lead single, “My Bebe”, and other songs like “Can’t Relate” and “Godly” which were received with open arms by the public because it had a different concept with a lot of irresistible lyrics. One of the songs in the album, “Godly” won Net Awards for the most played song. The album received over 200 million streams on Audiomack, Boomplay, and many other platforms.

The song that won the award “Godly” portrays mixed emotions and celebration on how his faith in the almighty made him come this far in achieving his dreams.

4. Barnabas by Kizz Daniel

Oluwatobiloba Daniel Anidugbe, who is professionally known as Kizz Daniel is an award-winning Nigerian singer, songwriter, and rapper. He grew up in Lagos and has been making a name in the music industry for years now. This particular outstanding album came out in November 2021 and it was an extended playlist that many had anticipated for a while. The album with 7 tracks that took him months to make is a composition of Afropop and highlife genres. His popular songs on his album include “Oshe”, “Skin”, and “Eh God Barnabas.” were filled with a lot of captivating lyrics which made people love the album more.

3. Davido – A Better Time

The Nigerian hip-pop singer, Davido had released this album in November 2020, and it was in collaboration with many international artists like Nas, Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown, Lil Baby, Young Thug, and Nigerian Musicians like Mayorkun, Tiwa Savage, and others. The album has a playtime of 54 minutes with 17 tracks with hit songs like “The Best”, “FEM”, and “Jowo.” The album received over 260 million streams on multiple platforms including Spotify, Audiomack, and Boomplay.

2. Burna Boy – Twice As Tall

Burna Boy is a popular Nigerian musician, who is an inspiration to many other upcoming artists. This particular album made the Afrobeat star receive another Grammy award for the Best Global Music Album at the 63 Grammy Awards ceremony. Damini Ogulu professionally known as Burna Boy released this particular album in late 2020 and the tracks started gaining attention from that same year in 2021 recorded massive successes: became No 1 in the US world albums, R&B Albums number 2, the UK top Hip Hop, and No 54 in the USA Billboard 200 with many others. Just recently, it became Spotify’s number 6 most-streamed album in 2021 with over half a billion streams on multiple streaming platforms.

1. Wizkid – Made in Lagos/ Made in Lagos Deluxe edition

Wizkid is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur who grew up in Lagos. He is considered to be one of the biggest artists in Africa. The energetic star, Wizkid released this particular album “Made In Lagos”  in October 2020 and it received massive air-plays on multiple platforms both home and abroad. The album also sold over 17,000 records in the US and made it to the top of the US Billboard 200. The album received a lot of love from fans that year. With over half a billion streams of the songs being played on all platforms.

In this album, Wizkid also features Tems, another Nigeria music artist making waves in the industry.