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).
DJDS is an American production and DJ duo consisting of Jerome LOL and Samo Sound Boy, based in Los Angeles.
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.
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.
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).
Sugarcane is the debut extended play by Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage. It was released on September 22, 2017, by Mavin Records and 323 Entertainment. The EP features collaborations with producers and guest artists such as Wizkid, Spellz, Baby Fresh, Maleek Berry and P2J. It explores themes of love and was recorded in English and Yoruba. Sugarcane was supported by the singles "All Over" and "Ma Lo". It was nominated for Best Album of the Year at the 2018 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.
African Giant is the fourth studio album by Nigerian singer Burna Boy. The album was released on July 26, 2019, by Spaceship Entertainment, Bad Habit, Atlantic Records and Warner Music. The album is a mixture of Afrobeats, Afrobeat, dancehall, pop and hip hop. It was produced primarily by Kel-P, along with production from Benjamz, Dre Skull and Skrillex, among others. The album features guest appearances from Jorja Smith, Jeremih, Damian Marley, Zlatan Ibile, Angelique Kidjo, Serani, M.anifest, YG and Future. It was supported by eight singles, including "On the Low", which won Viewers' Choice at the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival, "Killin Dem", which won Song of the Year at the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival, among other awards; and "Anybody", which Burna Boy performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
The Mayor of Lagos is the debut studio album by Nigerian singer Mayorkun. It was released on November 16, 2018, through Davido Music Worldwide. The album's production was handled by Speroach Beatz, Cracker Mallo, Fresh VDM, Kiddominant, DJ Coublon, Phantom, Northboi, Killertunes and Lussh. Mayorkun enlisted Davido, Sarkodie, D'banj, Patoranking and other label mates to appear as guest artists on the album. Preceding the album's release were five singles: "Mama", "Che Che", "Bobo", "Fantasy" and "Posh". The album won Best R&B/Pop Album at The Headies 2019.
A Good Time is the second studio album by Nigerian singer Davido. It was released on November 22, 2019, through Davido Music Worldwide, RCA Records and Sony Music. The album features guest appearances from Chris Brown, Summer Walker, Gunna, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Dremo, Peruzzi, Popcaan, Zlatan, Yonda, Wurld and Naira Marley. Its production was handled by Speroach Beatz, Tekno, Shizzi, Kiddominant, P2J, London on da Track, and Fresh VDM, among others. In December 2019, Davido announced a North American tour in support of the album; the tour was scheduled to begin in the winter and end in spring 2020. In March 2020, Davido postponed the tour due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Adedamola Oyinlola Adefolahan, who is known professionally as Fireboy DML, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He is signed to YBNL Nation, a record label founded by rapper Olamide. His debut studio album, Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps, was released in 2019. He won Listener's Choice and was nominated for Song of the Year for "Jealous" at the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival.
Afrikan Sauce is the fourth studio album by Kenyan band Sauti Sol, released on their eponymous record label Sauti Sol Entertainment. Primarily an Afropop and R&B record, Afrikan Sauce marked a departure from the traditional acoustic sound of their previous albums. It features guest appearances from Patoranking, Tiwa Savage, Burna Boy, Vanessa Mdee, Yemi Alade, Khaligraph Jones, Nyashinski, Bebe Cool, Mi Casa, Toofan, Jah Prayzah and C4 Pedro. The album comprises thirteen tracks and was supported by the previously released singles "Melanin", "Girl Next Door", "Afrikan Star", "Short N Sweet" and "Tujiangalie". Afikan Sauce received positive reviews from music critics, who characterized it as a "game changer" and commended it for having "substantial replay value". The album won Album of the Year in Africa at the 2019 All Africa Music Awards.
Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps is the debut studio album by Nigerian singer Fireboy DML. It was released by YBNL Nation on November 29, 2019. The album comprises thirteen tracks and doesn't feature any guest artist. It was primarily produced by Pheelz, along with production from Cracker Mallo, Echo the Guru, IamBeatz and P.Prime. LTG was supported by the previously released singles "Jealous", "What If I Say" and "King". It received generally positive reviews from music critics, but was criticized for being labeled an "Afro-Life" record instead of an R&B album.
"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.
Ezeh Chisom Faith, professionally known as Rexxie, is a Nigerian record producer, DJ, and songwriter. He is popular for creating the Zanku sound, and producing Naira Marley's Soapy, Tesumole and the song KPK with MohBad.
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.
Ebuka Alex Ojini-Ntamere, known professionally as Alpha Ojini, is a Nigerian rapper, record producer and songwriter. He is a two-time nominee of The Headies Award and has released eight albums.
