Extended Play (EP) projects have become really popular in the Nigerian market in this streaming era. It’s become a great way for new artists to introduce themselves and for the big boys to appease their fans while they work on full-length projects. 2023 gave us many brilliant EPs from Nigerian artists. This article highlights the best 20 released in the last calendar year.
20. Zlatan – Omo Ologo
One of the most consistent indigenous rappers in recent times, Zlatan has managed to stay relevant and expand his influence on the Nigerian music scene. Strategic collaborations, conscious and inspirational songs, rapping and singing in the same breath, the Zanku pioneer balances all his strong points on his first project since the 2021 album Resan. Omo Ologo reminds us exactly why Zlatan is a fan favorite.
Standout Tracks – Let There Be Light (ft. Seyi Vibez), Astalavista (ft. Young Jonn), Oganigwe (ft. Odumodublvck).
19. Rybeena – Rybeena EP
Co-signs don’t come bigger than Olamide posting himself vibing heavily to your song. Rybeena became an overnight sensation, blowing up his single Id.Me, which details the uncertainty and struggle of the average Nigerian youth chasing success. Rybeena quickly proves he’s not a one-hit-wonder by releasing his self-titled EP. Further exploring the street pop genre that has become hugely popular in Nigeria’s southwest, including Lagos. The singer gives us enough to eagerly await what the future holds for him.
Standout Tracks – Id.Me, Destiny (ft Bhadboi Oml), Bone Straight.
18. Lifesize Teddy – Lifesize Teddy
When Mavin announced the debut EP of a female rapper, it generated a wave of excitement because that’s such a rare profile for the industry giants. However, after listening, one can’t help but see the light as well. After spending the better part of three years under the Mavins talent development program, Lifesize Teddy is the full package. On her self-titled EP, she balances rapping and singing delicately, touching on various subjects such as faith, party and fun, love, and destiny.
Standout Tracks – Air, Hypnotic, John Wick.
17. Morravey – Ravi
Getting signed by Davido is almost a guaranteed gateway to a huge global audience. Morravey is the second female signing to Davido’s DMW label. On her debut EP, the singer recounts the peculiarities of her new lifestyle. From smoky rooms to lavish lifestyles, numb emotions, and romantic getaways, Morravey belts out amazing notes telling her story. With a label structure behind her, we can only imagine that it gets better for Morravey from here.
Standout Tracks – What is Love, Magician (with Davido)
16. 1da Banton – 1da Shall Never End
The self-styled original vibe machine is a Nigerian singer who fuses the genres of Dancehall, Highlife, and Afro-pop. In his follow-up project to his 2021 album Original Vibe Machine, the singer details the lifestyle of the traditional artist on the rise in the music industry. Highlighting experiences such as lust, love, the lack of it, and how money influences all of this on the majority of the EP. While addressing entitlement on Call Jehovah. A good offering from the dancehall machine.
Standout Tracks – Omotola, Ego, Call Jehovah.
15. Tml Vibez – Timilehin
Tml Vibez was signed by the rave of the moment, Seyi Vibez, and the signing was announced unexpectedly alongside his debut EP. From the intro, the similarity between him and his label boss is immediately visible; one can see why he appeals to Seyi Vibez as a signee. As the EP progresses, the listener gets more acquainted, and like his boss, Tml Vibez combines the English Language, Yoruba, and Pidgin languages. The chemistry is at an all-time high on Goated, where Seyi Vibez is a featured act. Timilehin is a clear introduction of who Tml is, and we can’t wait to see where he goes from here.
Standout Tracks – Intro, Duro, Goated (ft. Seyi Vibez).
14. Bella Shmurda – DND
2023 was an eventful year for Bella, both off and on the charts. DND is his follow-up project to the 2022 album Hypertension. The tape finds Bella in peak form, merging his flow and control of the Yoruba and Pidgin languages to deliver a groovy and enjoyable project. He recruits Tiwa Savage, Pheelz, and Lil Kesh as guest artists, with each act producing a different flavor, making the EP all the more enjoyable.
Standout Tracks – Ara (Gen Gen Tin), NSV (with Tiwa Savage), DND (ft Lil Kesh)
13. BOJ & Ajebutter 22 – Make E No Cause Fight 3
Usual suspects and frequent collaborators BOJ and Ajebutter 22 return with the third installment in their Make E No Cause Fight series. The tag team of BOJ’s sultry voice and delivery and Ajebutter’s smooth rap over breezy beats will have you catching a vibe in no time. Palmwine music connoisseurs and fellow alte music pioneers Show Dem Camp is the only feature on the 4-track EP. Sweet and short in equal measure, the playlist leaves the listener craving more. Hopefully, we get a joint full-length project from these two sooner rather than later.
Standout Tracks – Rora, Sweet Life (with Show Dem Camp), Ditr.
12. Gdzilla – Gdzilla EP
Gdzilla is the third signing under Jonzing World. The singer utilizes Afrobeats elements of Street Pop and Amapiano to convey his message. The singer blends the English Language and indigenous dialects of the pidgin and Yoruba languages to convey his message. Having something to prove, self-assurance, braggadocio, the hustler mentality, God and love are some concepts Gdzilla explored on his debut EP. Not quite the finished product, but the talents and influences are clear enough for us to look forward to future releases from the singer.
Standout Tracks – High Tension, Chop Life, No Competition.
11. Bloody Civilian – Anger Management (At Least We Tried)
The remix version of Bloody Civilian’s critically acclaimed breakout EP Anger Management only highlights how talented the singer is even further. The features are carefully curated and drive the message of each song deeper. The EP shows the other skill sets of the Sony music artist, her production and engineering skills playing a role in the seamless blend of artistry Anger Management (At Least We Tried) offers. With a Sony music deal and top-tier talent, nothing is stopping a Bloody Civilian takeover soon.
Standout Tracks – How to Kill a Man (ft Lifesize Teddy & Miraa May), Family Meeting (ft Joeboy, Enny & Majeeed), Come From (ft Ajebo Hustlers).
10. Kold AF & BGRZ – Kollide
Kold AF is a Nigerian singer who got some exposure in 2022 after the release of her debut two-track EP. BGRZ (short for bangers) is a French producer who has worked with various Afrobeats artists, including Omah Lay, Pheelz, 1da Banton, and more. On Kollide, both creatives strike a balance between Kold’s gifted songwriting and vocal execution and the dancehall-tinged Pop, RnB, and Afrobeats infusion that BGRZ produces. It’s only a matter of time before Kold AF is on everyone’s lips.
Standout Tracks – Broken, Nobody 2 Somebody, Tension.
9. Khaid – Emotions
Afro-pop star Khaid first burst onto the scene in 2022 with his hit single With You after inking a record deal with popular comedian and skit-maker Sydney Talker. The 19-year-old has since gone from strength to strength, transitioning from trap songs to proper Afrobeat hits. On emotions, the young pop star displays a maturity that belies his age, baring his emotions on well-crafted beats. A top-notch artistic endeavor, the EP makes us look forward to what future offerings Khaid might have in store for us.
Standout Tracks – Jara, Jolie, Annabella
8. Shallipopi – Planet Pluto
Shallipopi witnessed one of the biggest claims to fame in the music industry in 2023. With the successes of his Elon Musk franchise and the single Ex-convict, he would go on to release his debut EP, Planet Pluto. With an almost magical momentum, the songs would go on to be major hits. With his laidback style over hard-hitting and banging beats that merge afro elements and amapiano influences, Shallipopi has created a lane for himself just by being unique.
Standout Tracks – Obapluto, Ex-Convict, Elon Musk Remix (with Fireboy Dml & Zlatan)
7. Lifesize Teddy – POISN
POISN is the second EP from the Mavin signee within a few months of each other. In the opener, All Eyes on Me, she speaks about her struggles, including losing her mother. On Unbeliever, she points out that she is grounded in her faith and that life has improved because she holds God close. She switches things up on BBA, flexing hard on the infectious production with heavy bars that fully showcase her top-tier rapping skills. On Addicted, she recruits fellow label signee Magixx for an ode to the right kind of love. On the closer Blessed, she features another frequent Mavin collaborator, Chocobantis, with both artists reveling in their newfound success. Lifesize Teddy is super talented, and with the Mavin structure and Don Jazzy’s tutelage available, not to mention rap veteran Ladipoe as a fellow label act, she’s poised to be the next big thing on the Nigerian Hip-hop scene.
Standout Tracks – All Eyes on Me, BBA, Addicted (ft Magixx)
6. Qing Madi – Qing Madi
Qing Madi rose to fame with her hit single Ole, featuring Bnxn as a guest artist. Named by Apple Music as their next-rated artist, her EP consolidates her status as one of the top new female singers. Exploring the themes of love and the complexities of newfound fame, the body of work paints a perfect picture. Madi’s Medley explores her steadfast commitment to her journey amidst any distractions. On American Love, she urges her lover to make the most of a flame despite a busy schedule and other setbacks. See finish finds the artist emphasizing the importance of her peace and solitude. Qing Madi’s EP is a well-crafted statement, securing her spot as one to watch for the future.
Standout Tracks – Ole (with Bnxn), American Love, See Finish.
5. Mayorkun – Love… For Free
Serial hitmaker Mayorkun had a relatively quiet 2023 by his standards until he released his EP. Love… For Free is a 5-track offering that easily reminds you why he is one of the biggest pop stars in Nigeria. On Lose Control, the EP’s opener, he collaborates with South African rapper Blxckie to detail the necessity of resisting manipulation in a relationship. On Thermo and For Daddy, the singer expresses his desire to be intimate with a love interest that catches his eye. He states the need to protect his energy from people and walk away from where your worth is undermined on My Energy and Lowkey, respectively. With an honest and well-executed body of work, the singer expresses himself skillfully with up-tempo and groovy production, showing why he’s a maestro.
Standout Tracks – Lose Control (ft Blxckie), Thermo, Lowkey.
4. Bloody Civilian – Anger management
Bloody Civilian first became popular when she was on the same track with Rema on the Black Panther: Wakanda soundtrack. Her previously released single, How to Kill a Man, had caught the ears of an AnR and thus began her journey into stardom. Bloody Civilian is a super-talented songwriter, producer, producer, and engineer in the fine line between different genres, fusing elements of Soul, Jazz, R&B, Pop, House music, and Electro music with Afrobeats. On Anger Management, she displays exemplary songwriting and vocal execution over great production, highlighting various social and conscious issues such as anger, abuse, the socio-political climate of Nigeria, suffocating love, and many more. An amazing display of artistry, Bloody Civilian is exactly who she thinks she is.
Standout Tracks – How to Kill a Man, I Don’t Like You, Mad Apology.
3. Moonlight Afriqa – Tales by Moonlight
Active since 2020, the singer would gain critical acclaim with his single and the opener of his EP, Love Dimension. Released in May 2023, Love Dimension would become a smash hit in Nigeria and Ghana. On his debut EP, the talented and versatile act builds on the success of his previous single, combining elements of pop, RnB, Dancehall, Reggae, and Afrobeats. On the 5 track EP, Moonlight Afriqa passionately explores the various forms of Love and everything that could go right or wrong with it. With an outstanding body of work, one can see why Apple Music picked him as one of their Up Next artists for Nigeria. We eagerly anticipate further release from the sensational singer.
Standout Tracks – Love Dimension, Amazing, Milk and Sugar
2. Rema – RAVAGE – EP
Mavins’ Golden Child and international Afrobeats sensation Rema is used to topping charts and selling out arenas worldwide. On his follow-up project to his wildly successful 2022 album Raves and Roses, Rema finds himself at the pinnacle of his influence, and it’s evident from the music on the EP. Rebellion is a common theme of the maverick singer, and the RAVAGE EP is no different; defiant and sure of himself, Rema defies both traditional and sonic expectations. He takes several shots at his peers while reveling in his superstar status and describing his exotic love life in the same breath. Rema has owned his crown as the prince of Afrobeats, and we love it.
Standout Tracks – DND, Smooth Criminal, Don’t Leave.
1. Lojay – Gangster Romantic
Nigerians first witnessed what Lojay could do on his debut collaboration project with legendary producer Sarz. Since then, the singer’s career has grown in leaps and bounds. On his EP, the singer exists in a sonic landscape that has become his trademark. Dishing out melodic anthems over groovy beats in his signature style that we’ve all come to admire. Lojay’s strong suit is his exceptional songwriting, which is easy to overlook because his delivery is seamless. On closer examination, multiple layers of emotions are revealed, albeit masked by his playful delivery and catchy beats. Gangster Romantic is exactly what it sounds like a true ode to thugs who are in touch with their emotions.
Standout Tracks – Leader, Canada (with Dj Maphorisa & Kabza De Small), Availabu.
