1. 2face, Grass to Grace
A lot of people can still remember where they were when 2face Idibia’s grass to grace album dropped, it was that iconic.
Grass 2 Grace is 2face Idibia‘s second solo album. Released in 2006, The album sold over a million copies in its first week of release with 500,000 copies sold within 1 hour of release, and winning him numerous awards, including a MOBO award in 2007. It has hits like See me so, True love, If love is a crime, For Instance, etc.
It was released under the Kennis music label and produced by Kenny Ogungbe.
The album had a huge impact on 2face Idibia’s career and helped to expand not just his popularity and wealth but also his brand and music career.
2. Wizkid: Superstar
Wizkid was this scrawny kid, given a chance by Banky W, a renowned artist at the time. People couldn’t see his potential at the time and had to believe in what Banky w could see in the kid.
After featuring on some Banky w songs and releasing a single “holla at your boy” the demand for a body of work was incessant and constant.
Superstar is the debut studio album by Wizkid. It was released by Empire Mates Entertainment on June 12, 2011. The album’s production was handled by Samklef, E-Kelly, Jay Sleek, Shizzi, DJ Klem, Masterkraft, Q-Beats, Banky W
The album was supported by six singles: “Holla at Your Boy”, “Tease Me/Bad Guys”, “Don’t Dull”, “Love My Baby”, “Pakurumo”, and “Oluwa Lo Ni”. It is the second best-selling album on NotJustOk and was the most highly anticipated Nigerian album of 2011.
Superstar incorporates elements of R&B, dancehall, and reggae. Although the album has a predominant Afrobeat sound, the sound of the aforementioned genres is evident throughout the album, specifically on “Tease Me/Bad Guys”, “Gidi Girl” and “Slow Whine”. The album’s themes deal primarily with starting from the bottom and reaching to the top, i.e. from grass to grace. In “No Lele”, Wizkid talks about his hustle and how he had to work hard to succeed. In “Say My Name”, he talks about his success and how everyone now “calls his name”. In “Wad Up”, he is reminiscent of the time he used to get insulted by people who called him dirty. In “Shout Out”, he thanked everyone who helped him become successful. In a nutshell, Wizkid describes his early life, particularly the hardships he endured and how he triumphed and made a name for himself.
3. Mushin to Mo’hits by Wande coal
Wande coal was an artist Nigerians didn’t know they needed till they heard him sing. Starting with features in the then Mo’hits compilation album, Wande coal had a voice that was unforgettable and distinctive.
Just like Wizkid, there was a huge demand for an album as everyone really wanted more of him but most especially, a body of work that would truly and properly showcase his sounds and musical prowess.
Mushin To Mo’Hits (M2M) is the debut album by Nigerian singer Wande Coal. It was launched on April 12, 2009, under Mo’ Hits Records now Mavin Record
There are only a few contemporary Nigerian albums that are as peerless and almost as flawless as Wande Coal’s solo seminal debut ‘Mushin 2 ‘ Mo’ Hits’.
Mushin 2 Mo’hits is now over a decade old, and yet it still resonates with the pop-crazy music audience in Nigeria. It is not about nostalgia because the body of work still sounds fresh. The appreciation of Mushin 2 Mo’hits has to do with the genius, the author of the classics.
4. Rhapsodi by Olamide
Olamide Adedeji (born 15 March 1989), known by his stage name Olamide but popularly called Olamide Baddo, is a Nigerian hip-hop recording artist from Bariga, Lagos State. He records mostly in Yoruba, his native tongue.
He was a breath of fresh air in the rap genre that was gradually dwindling, he was welcomed with open arms and a hunger for something new, fresh and different.
Rapsodi is the debut studio album by Nigerian rapper Olamide, released by Coded Tunes in 2011, Being his first debut, Olamide put all his effort into this Album with the help of his record label and ID Cabasa on the other side.
Featuring some of the top artists in Nigeria at that very moment which includes, Wizkid, 9ice, Pheelz, Reminisce, I.D Cabasa, 2Phat, Ab1, Adol, Jumoke, Lord of Ajasa, B-Rank, Terry Da Rapman, and Soul Joe
These Debut albums will forever be relevant. They showed us what these artists are capable of and made them superstars.
Which of these albums gives you the best memories?
I can’t even choose cause these albums were my favorite! Played them back to back.
Thank you Tasha, glad I can read your works here
You see that Wande coal album, is still my favorite album of all time
For me, superstar is Wizkid’s best album till today
This writer has me glued.jm definitely bookmarking this website. Olamide is a rare breed tbh. Eni duro is still a banger
From 2 Face to Wizkid they’re my favorites any day any time, wands coal electrifying voice is a rare in the industry. Kudo to the writer Tasha .