A debut album is arguably the most important work in an artiste’s discography. It is the real test of an artiste’s versatility and staying power after they break out. In a discourse about the best Nigerian debut albums, the names that are sure to come up are 2face’s Face 2 Face, Wizkid’s Superstar, and Wande Coal’s Mushin 2 Mo’hits. Other usual suspects are Asa’s Asha, Kiss Daniel’s New Era, and more recently, Fireboy DML’s Laughter, Tears, and Goosebumps. While these are undoubtedly fantastic albums, some amazing debuts remain unsung. Below are five underrated Nigerian debut albums that deserve more appreciation.
5. BOJ – Magic
With his laidback mannerisms, husky vocals, and unique fashion style, BOJ represents what it means to be Alte. In 2017, BOJ dropped his debut album, Magic to a lukewarm reception. This reception does not reflect the quality of the album, as it is a beautiful piece that has aged well. One of the best qualities of Magic is the way that BOJ makes every feature work. The impressive duet with Simi on For Sure, the party starter Wait A Minute with Olamide, and the backside-eulogizing “Aisha” with Wande Coal on Aisha, are all testament to this. The deep cuts on this album are deep! They include tracks like Molade, Ire, and Balance. For these reasons, I believe that this might be BOJ’s magnum opus, and is hands one of the best yet underrated Nigerian debut albums.
Standout Tracks: Ire, Aisha, Wait A Minute, For Sure.
4. King Perryy – Citizen of the World
King Perry burst onto the music scene in 2018 as a “Dem Mama” signee with the single, Man on Duty. On the track that featured his label boss, Timaya, King Perryy showed his promise as an Afro-Dancehall artiste. A couple of sleeper hits followed this release including Murder ft Teni, Work ‘N’ Grind, and My Darlina, but it wasn’t until three years later in 2021 that he released his debut album.
Citizen Of The World is an impressive debut that showed King Perryy in his full glory. An Afro-Dancehall album, Citizen Of The World was a breath of fresh air, in a soundscape dominated by Afropop and Amapiano. He showed his versatility on tracks like the Drill number, YKTFV (You Know The Fucking Vibes) featuring Psycho YP, and Afrobeats track, Jati Jati. Despite featuring heavyweights like Timaya, Phyno, Mayorkun, and Kizz Daniel, King Perryy held his own throughout the length of the album. Overall, COTW is an exceptional album that deserves more plaudits than it gets.
Standout Tracks: Citizen of the World, Yawa, Paulina, Let Me Love You, YKTFV (You Know The Fucking Vibes).
3. Alpha Ojini – Half Price
I think of Alpha Ojini as the “Mr. Fantastic of the Nigerian music industry”. This is because of his work rate and versatility. He is one of the few artistes that can rap, sing, produce, as well as mix, and master music to a genius level. It is therefore no surprise that his two studio albums have been top-notch. Alpha Ojini’s Half Price is everything a Nigerian rap album should be. It is conscious, relatable, enjoyable, and full of bars! On the album, he raps about the struggles of the average Nigerian creative, while also touching on love and lust.
Standout Tracks: Ludo, Still Got It, Sour.
2. Tay Iwar – Gemini
Tay Iwar is one of the most talented Nigerian musicians of all time, as far as I’m concerned. He is a prodigy who has lived up to the billing of his immense talent. A singer, songwriter, and producer, Tay is a musician’s musician. Since releasing his debut tape Passport in 2014 at age 16, Tay Iwar has delivered quality at all times. His debut album, Gemini arrived five years later in 2019 and it was worth the wait. Made up of soul, RnB, and pop cuts, Tay’s vocal dexterity and songwriting prowess shone through on the tape. Gemini explored themes of love, heartbreak, self-doubt, and anxiety. In the aftermath of Gemini, Tay Iwar has been tapped up by industry giants like Wizkid and Tiwa Savage for his penmanship and vocals.
Standout Tracks: Utero, Monica, Don’t Know, Space.
1. Lady Donli – Enjoy Your Life
Lady Donli’s Enjoy Your Life or EYL as it is fondly referred to is one of the best-executed Nigerian albums in recent times. EYL saw Lady Donli swap her neo-soul sound at the time, for a more traditional sound palette, that encompasses Afrobeat, Highlife, and Afropop. The themes on the albums are diverse, ranging from divine feminity on Flava, self-discovery on Answers, to sapiosexual love on Take Me Home, and social commentary on Suffer Suffer
From the album title, Enjoy Your Life which borrows its name from Oby Onyioha’s hit single, to the Old Nollywood aesthetics showcased in the visuals of Suffer Suffer and Corner, it feels like a blast from the past. The album is also made up of samples that nod to classic songs of old, such as the Mo Gbono Feli Feli sample on Take Me Home, 9ice’s Gongo Aso on Good Time, and Mama G’s National Moimoi on Suffer Suffer. The album is made up of many layers yet so simple and enjoyable. Enjoy Your Life has a vintage feel, which made it fresh yet so familiar on arrival. Overall, this album has the artistic quality to be termed a classic within a few years.
Standout Tracks: Take Me Home, Cash, Corner, Bite The Dust.
Other underrated Nigerian debut albums include Azanti’s Heart Parts and Nostalgia, Ric Hassani’s The African Gentleman and Kemena’s Bond.