Jesse Garba Abaga, known professionally as Jesse Jagz, is a Nigerian rapper, record producer, and songwriter. He signed a record deal with Chocolate City in 2010 and released his debut studio album Jag of All Tradez that same year. He voluntarily exited the Chocolate City deal in 2013 and announced the launch of his independent label, Jagz Nation. Jagz released his second studio album Jagz Nation, Vol. 1: Thy Nation Come in 2013; it included singles such as "Redemption", "Bad Girl", "Sex & Scotch" and "God on the Mic". His third studio album, Jagz Nation, Vol. 2: Royal Niger Company, was released in 2014. He returned to Chocolate City in 2015 but left the label again prior to releasing his fourth studio album Odysseus in 2017. In May 2020, he released a 5-track EP titled Garba.
Ọlawale Ọlọfọrọ, better known as Brymo, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, sonic artist, actor and author who was born and raised in Okokomaiko. Brymo started recording music in 1999 while in secondary school. He signed a recording contract with music label Chocolate City in 2010 but was accused of breaching his contract in 2013. Brymo released his debut studio album Brymstone in 2007. His second studio album The Son of a Kapenta was released in 2012, and was supported by the singles "Ara", "Good Morning" and "Go Hard". His third studio album Merchants, Dealers & Slaves, which was released on 20 October 2013, received positive reviews from music critics and yielded the singles "Down" and "Eko".
Lindsey Chukwufumnanya Abudei, known professionally as Lindsey Abudei, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. In 2010, she recorded music and had jam sessions with rappers M.I Abaga and Jesse Jagz while studying law at the University of Jos. Abudei has released the solo projects Brown (2013), ...and the Bass Is Queen (2016), and Kaleidoscope (2023).
Asikiya Albright George, known simply as Asikey or Asikey George, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. Her music is a mixture of alternative rock, pop and soul. In 2017, she won Best Female Artist in Inspirational Music at the All Africa Music Awards. Asikey was listed by the Daily Trust newspaper as one of the ten best Nigerian artists of 2017.
The following is a list of events and releases that have happened or are expected to happen in 2019 in African music.
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.
Azeez Adeshina Fashola, known professionally as Naira Marley, is a British-Nigerian singer, songwriter and rapper.
The following is a list of events and releases that happened in 2020 in African music.
A.A.A is the eponymous debut extended play by Nigerian alternative rock band A.A.A. It was recorded at Blackstar Studios in Ikoyi and released on August 5, 2019. The band is composed of singer Brymo, guitarist Jad Moukarim, drummer Adey Omotade, and bassist Laughter. A.A.A comprises five tracks and is a fusion of folk music, psychedelic rock and African rhythms; it was mixed and mastered by Mikky Me Joses.
Yellow is the seventh studio album by Nigerian singer Brymo, independently released on 1 April 2020. The album explores hedonistic viewpoints and is a departure from the dark themes of his sixth studio album Oṣó. Brymo described Yellow as an album about "love and survival", and said it is an alternative pop and electronic record. The album is a mixture of sentimental ballad, trap, sophisti-pop, shoegaze, rock, synth-pop and folk. Nigerian singer Lindsey Abudei is the only artist to be featured on the album. Yellow was initially intended to have 17 songs but due to technical issues, two songs were omitted from the project. The album was supported by the single "Strippers + White Lines", and was nominated for Best Alternative Album and Album of the Year at The Headies 2020.
ThankGod Omori Jesam known professionally as TG Omori or Boy Director, is a Nigerian music video director and cinematographer.
Akinbi Bamidele Brett, known professionally as Cheque, is a Nigerian rapper and singer. He rose to mainstream fame for his 2020 single "Zoom". In 2021, he won an award for Best Duo African HipHop at the All Africa Music Awards alongside Fireboy DML. He is currently signed to Phyno's Penthauze imprint.
Aboriomoh Femi Raymond, known by his stage name Dremo, is a Nigerian songwriter, singer, record producer, recording artist, and stage performer. He was currently signed to Davido Music Worldwide (DMW). He recently dissed sarkodie for saying he is the best rapper in Africa.
Daniel Etiese Benson, known professionally as Bnxn and formerly known as Buju, is a Nigerian Afro-fusion singer, songwriter and record producer.
Motolani Olusegun Alake is a Nigerian lawyer, music executive, entrepreneur, public speaker, podcast host, and TV host, who has also been a pop culture commentator, and journalist. He was the Editor-In-Chief at Pulse Nigeria from March 2022 to December 2022. He currently serves as the chart manager for Nigeria's TurnTable Top Afro-Pop Songs chart. Alake was recruited by the African Union to join All Africa Music Awards as one of its juries for West Africa in 2022.
9: Èsan, also known simply as Èsan, is the eighth studio album by Nigerian singer Brymo. It was released on September 9, 2021, along with 9: Harmattan & Winter. The album represents a change from the sarcasm of Libel and the hedonistic viewpoint of Yellow. Èsan comprises nine tracks and was produced and mastered by Mikky Me Joses. It was recorded entirely in the Yoruba language and is a mixture of alternative rock, afro-soul, sentimental ballad, and Yoruba folk music. Thematically, the album deals with masculinity, exuberance, self-adulation, narcissism, and promiscuity. Èsan was nominated for Best Alternative Album and Album of the Year at The Headies 2022.
9: Harmattan & Winter, also known simply as Harmattan & Winter, is the ninth studio album by Nigerian singer Brymo. It was released on September 9, 2021, along with 9: Èsan. The album comprises nine tracks and is a combination of alternative rock, folk, sentimental ballad, and fusion-rock. Recorded entirely in English, Harmattan & Winter addresses topics of heartbreak, self-discovery, romance, mental health, and monogamy. Bigfoot produced the entire album, which deviates from Libel's subtle denial and Yellow's hedonistic perspective. The title track, "Harmattan & Winter," was released as the album's only single. Harmattan & Winter received positive reviews from music critics, who called it a "morose album" and praised Brymo's songwriting.
Theta is the tenth studio album by Nigerian singer Brymo, independently released on May 27, 2022. The album comprises ten tracks and was recorded entirely in Nigerian Pidgin. Labeled a folk, sentimental ballad, and quiet storm record, Theta explores themes of survival, prudence, sexual violence, abuse, hypocrisy, communal violence, and love. The album's production was handled by Bigfoot, who single-handedly produced Brymo's Libel and 9: Harmattan & Winter projects in their entirety.
Barnabas is the first EP by Nigerian singer Kizz Daniel. It was released on 19 November 2021, by Flyboy I.N.C and Empire Distribution. The EP featured guest appearances from The Cavemen and Kelvyn Colt. Production was handled by Philkeyz, Reward Beatz, Roc Legion, DJ Coublon, Blaisebeatz. Barnabas serves a follow-up to King of Love (2020).
"Pour Me Water" is a song by Nigerian singer Kizz Daniel, off his first EP Barnabas (2021). The song was produced by Blaisebeatz and released under Flyboy I.N.C and Empire Distribution.
