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The following is a list of events and releases that have happened or are expected to happen in 2018 in African music.
Release date | Artist | Album | Genre | Label | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
January 26 | Burna Boy | Outside | Afrobeats, hip-hop, dancehall | Atlantic Records | [7] |
Professor | Composed by Jesus Christ | Kwaito, dance | Kalawa Jazmee Records | [8] | |
January 31 | Zaki Ibrahim | The Secret Life of Planets | R&B, soul | Indie | [9] |
February 9 | M.I Abaga | Rendezvous: The Playlist | Hip-hop | Chocolate City | [10] |
February 23 | Femi Kuti | One People One World | Afrobeat | Knitting Factory Records | [11] |
February 23 | Hailu Mergia | Lala Belu | Jazz | Awesome Tapes from Africa | [12] |
March ? | Pape Diouf | Enjoy! | Mbalax, World | [13] | |
March 2 | Seun Kuti | Black Times | Afrobeat, World | Strut Records | [14] |
March 27 | Brymo | Oṣó | Alternative folk, Yoruba music | Indie | [15] |
May 21 | Allah Thérèse & N'Goran Laloi | Bé gnanssou moayé | [16] | ||
May 14 | Ike Moriz | Millennium Hits 2002 - 2018 | Pop, Rock, Jazz | Mosquito Records London | [17] |
May 25 | DJ Neptune | Greatness | Afrobeats, hip-hop | Neptune Records | [18] |
Adekunle Gold | About 30 | World, highlife | Afro Urban Records, Empire | [19] | |
June 15 | Zonke | L.O.V.E | Afro-soul | Sony | [20] |
August 24 | M.I Abaga | A Study On Self Worth: Yxng Dxnzl | Hip-hop | Chocolate City | [21] |
September 11 | Steve Kekana | Ubuntu | Sold Out Music | ||
October 19 | Razia | The Road | Razia Said Music | [22] | |
November 9 | Mr Eazi | Life Is Eazi, Vol. 2 - Lagos to London | Afrobeats | Banku Music | [23] |
November 16 | Mayorkun | The Mayor of Lagos | Afropop | Davido Music Worldwide | [24] |
Oluseun Anikulapo Kuti, popularly known Seun Kuti, is a Nigerian musician, singer and the youngest son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti. Seun leads his father's former band Egypt 80.
Chocolate City is a Nigerian record label founded in 2005 by lawyer Audu Maikori, Paul Okeugo and Yahaya Maikori. Generally regarded as one of the most successful indigenous urban record labels in Africa, Chocolate City operates as a subsidiary of Chocolate City Group. Other arms of the group include Chocolate City Distribution, Chocolate City Events, CCX, and Chocolate City Media. On 28 March 2019, Warner Music Group announced a partnership with the label. Under the partnership, Chocolate City artists will join WMG's repertoire and receive the support of the company's distribution and artist services via its independent label services division, ADA.
Jude Lemfani Abaga, commonly known by his stage name M.I Abaga, is a Nigerian rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He gained recognition in 2006 with the popularization of his track "Crowd Mentality" in his home city of Jos. His debut studio album, Talk About It, was introduced in 2008, followed by MI 2: The Movie in 2010. Subsequently, he unveiled his third studio album, The Chairman, four years later. Additionally, Abaga released the playlist Rendezvous in February 2018, followed by A Study On Self Worth: Yxng Dxnzl, in August of the same year. He released "The Guy" album in 2022.
Aituaje Iruobe, known professionally as Waje, is a Nigerian singer. She first gained recognition after being featured on the remake of P-Square’s "Omoge Mi". Waje was also featured on the duo's 2008 hit track "Do Me". She contributed vocals to Banky W's "Thief My Kele" and M.I's "One Naira". In 2016, Waje was one of the four judges in the inaugural season of The Voice Nigeria. In 2018, she appeared on the final season of the Africa Magic telenovela Battleground.
David Adedeji AdelekeOON, who is known professionally as Davido, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer. He is regarded as one of the most important Afrobeats artists of the 21st century, and is credited alongside Burna Boy and Wizkid for popularizing the genre globally.
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu , who is known professionally as Burna Boy, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer. He rose to stardom in 2012 after releasing "Like to Party", the lead single from his debut studio album L.I.F.E (2013). In 2017, Burna Boy signed with Atlantic Records in the United States to release his third studio album, Outside (2018).
Imohiosen Patrick, professionally known as DJ Neptune, is a Nigerian Disc Jockey and Record Producer. He is from a family of four which includes his three elder sisters and him.
Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade, better known by his stage name Mr Eazi, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record executive. He is the pioneer of Banku music, a fusion of sound he describes as a mixture of Ghanaian highlife and Nigerian chord progressions and patterns. Mr Eazi relocated to Kumasi in 2008 and enrolled at KNUST, where he began booking artists to perform at college parties. He showed interest in music after recording a guest verse on "My Life", a song that gained traction and became a popular record at KNUST. Mr Eazi released his debut mixtape About to Blow in 2013. He gained an international audience following the release of the Efya-assisted single "Skin Tight". His second mixtape, titled Life Is Eazi, Vol. 1 – Accra To Lagos, was released in 2017.
Ada Ogochukwu Ehi, also simply known by her stage name Ada, is a Nigerian gospel singer, songwriter, recording and performing artist. She started her musical career at the age of 10 as a backup singer for child star Tosin Jegede. Since she professionally started her music career under Loveworld Records in 2009, she has increasingly gained local and international popularity through her songs and music videos.
"Let Me Live" is a song by English drum and bass band Rudimental and American DJ trio Major Lazer, featuring guest vocals from English singer Anne-Marie and Nigerian singer Mr Eazi. The song was released as a digital download on 15 June 2018, as the third single from Rudimental's third studio album, Toast to Our Differences (2019). The song was written by Thomas Pentz, Philip Meckseper, Jasper Helderman, Kesi Dryden, Piers Aggett, Amir Amor, Leon Rolle, Cesar Ovalle Jr., Bas van Daalen, Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade and Anne-Marie.
A Study on Self Worth: Yxng Denzel is the fourth studio album by Nigerian rapper M.I Abaga. It was released on August 24, 2018, by Chocolate City. The album features guest appearances from Tay Iwar, Cina Soul, Lorraine Chia, Odunsi the Engine, Lady Donli, Niyola and PatricKxxLee. Its production was handled by M.I, Tay Iwar, Chopstix, Major Bangz, TMXO, Doz, G Clef, Chillz, GMK and PatricKxxLee. Yung Denzel addresses topics such as depression, mental health, disloyalty and cultural repression. It explores themes of self-introspection, self-doubt and reassurance. The album was nominated for Best Rap Album at The Headies 2019.
Adewale Mayowa Emmanuel, known professionally as Mayorkun, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, pianist and dancer. He released a cover of Davido's "The Money" single and was discovered by the singer on Twitter. Mayorkun was signed to Davido's record label DMW from 2016 to 2021; his debut single "Eleko" was released under the label. Mayorkun released his debut studio album The Mayor of Lagos in November 2018. After his exit from DMW in 2021; he released "Let Me Know" and his second studio album Back In Office in October 2021, under Sony Music West Africa division.
Oṣó is the sixth studio album by Nigerian singer Brymo. It was released independently on 27 March 2018. The album was produced entirely by Mikky Me Joses and consists of 11 tracks, including three recorded in the Yoruba language. Oṣó is a mixture of Alternative folk and Yoruba music and has elements of mysticism; it sheds light on Brymo's folk and traditional roots. Oṣó was supported by the singles "Heya!" and "Bá’núsọ". It received critical acclaim from music critics, who complimented its production and Brymo's songwriting. The website Pulse Nigeria and Nigerian Entertainment Today ranked Oṣó second on their list of the best Nigerian albums of 2018.
Moral Instruction is the fourth studio album by Nigerian rapper Falz. It was released on January 15, 2019, by Bahd Guys Entertainment. The album was recorded in Nigerian pidgin and samples musical recordings from Fela Kuti. Its production was primarily handled by Sess, with additional production from TMXO, Willis, and Chillz. The album features collaborations with Demmie Vee, Chillz and Sess. Moral Instruction addresses societal issues such as corrupt politicians, corruption, police brutality, prostitution, social injustice and internet fraud. The album's release was preceded by "Talk", a socio-conscious record that addresses critical events. The cover art for Moral Instruction was created by Nigerian artist Lemi Ghariokwu, a long-time Fela collaborator. The album won Best Rap Album and Album of the Year at The Headies 2019.
Outside is the third studio album by Nigerian singer Burna Boy. It was released on January 26, 2018, through Spaceship Entertainment, Bad Habit and Atlantic Records. The album is the follow-up to his debut extended play Redemption (2016). Described by the singer as a mixtape, Outside consists mostly of Afrobeats, dancehall, reggae and road rap. It features guest vocals from English musicians J Hus, Lily Allen and Mabel. Outside was supported by six singles: "Rock Your Body", "Streets of Africa", "Koni Baje", "Sekkle Down", "Heaven's Gate" and "Ye". Its production was handled by various producers, including Juls, Leriq, P2J, Jae 5, FRED and Phantom.
Odysseus is the fourth studio album by Nigerian rapper and record producer Jesse Jagz. It was released on September 8, 2017, by Jagz Nation. The album features guest appearances from Hotyce, Styl-Plus, Cynthia Morgan, Melon and Burna Boy. Prior to releasing the album, Jesse Jagz released a number of singles in 2017, including "Midnight Vibes" and "New World". "Best in You" was released as the album's lead and only single. Odysseus draws influences from Caribbean sounds, supporting the dancehall identity that Jesse Jagz embraced on his second studio album Jagz Nation, Vol. 1: Thy Nation Come (2013).
"Wetin We Gain" is a song by Nigerian singer and songwriter Victor AD. It was released by ETIN Records on June 17, 2018. The song peaked at number 3 on Africa Charts' list of the "Surprise Nigerian Hit Songs of 2018". The accompanying music video for "Wetin We Gain" has garnered over 12 million views on YouTube.
Zainab Elizabeth Donli, known as Lady Donli, is a Nigerian musician. She is an alternative R&B, hip hop, alternative jazz and Afrobeat singer and songwriter.
Bella Alubo is a Nigerian musician, alternative R&B, hip-hop singer and songwriter, formerly signed under Tinny Entertainment alongside Ycee.
Ayo Ayoku better known by his stage name Wani, is an American-Nigerian alté musician. In 2018, he came into the music scene with a widely acclaimed EP Lagos City Vice, with lead song "China Designer", a remake of Tekno's "Be", which became controversial in September 2019, after Sarz called him out, for his royalty, following the success of the song, reaching 1 million streams in July 2019.