Strange Thoughts and Revelations: January 2015

The year 2014 could be described as the year the stars aligned and we were blessed with a boatload of albums from top notch artists. From MI’s concept album, P Square’s Double trouble, Tuface’s Ascension, Wizkid’s Ayo, Phyno’s NGNG, Olamide’s Street OT to Yemi Alade’s King of queens just to name a few. What could possibly be left to look forward to in 2015? The truth is, there is actually a lot to get excited about.

Here are 10 reasons to celebrate in advance

10. ORITSEFEMI

ALBUMS – FLOG POLITICIAN {ELEWON} (2007), WICKED WORLD (2009), UNFADEABLE (2012), MUSICAL TALIBAN (2012)

ALBUM TITLE – DOUBLE WAHALA

ALBUM # - 5

LABEL – MSN/AVATAR

Oritsefemi has had quite the career over the last decade, starting out in Ajegunle with Junglist before embarking on a solo career that has produced 4 albums, Spurred on by a remake of late afro beat king Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s “double wahala” the Warri born artiste finally established himself in the big leagues in 2014, a remix of the same song featuring D’banj and the Fliptyce produced “igbeyawo” promptly followed while singles like the Puffy T produced “culture”, the Davido assisted “sexy ladies”, “body & soul” and “redi dance” also gained massive airplay. Guest appearances on “pass you by” with Black magic, “inshi gini” with Seriki, “Oya now” with Joe el & “asiko” with Artquake has Oritsefemi set up for the biggest album of his career so far.

9. BURNA BOY

ALBUMS – L.I.F.E (2013)

ALBUM TITLE – TBD

ALBUM # - 2

LABEL –

How do you follow up a critically acclaimed debut? If you are Burna, you get back in the studio ASAP and then release couple of hit singles such as “don gorgon”, “roses (na so e suppose be)” and “won da mo” ft D’banj to keep your buzz strong in the street. When not changing management or walking off his erstwhile record label, Burna still put in work on Wande coal “amorawa”, DJ Spinall “gba gbe e”, R2bees “somebody loves you”, Sarkodie “special someone” and D’banj “oya wait”. As if that was not enough, the Spellz produced “check and balance” was unleashed on an unsuspecting public thereby setting up the foundation for another outstanding body of work from Oluwaburna.

8. CYNTHIA MORGAN

ALBUMS – NIL

ALBUM TITLE – TBD

ALBUM # - 1

LABEL – NORTHSIDE MUSIC INC

The Edo state born dancehall/reggae sensation shot to limelight on the heels of her collaboration with Jhybo on “run dia mouth” and thereafter secured a deal with Jude okoye’s northside music. Judging by the blazing singles she has on constant rotation nationwide, it is safe to say that the Okoye’s have struck gold. From the crowd pleaser “lead me on” to the fierce “i am taken” to the Tony Ross produced party starter “popori” to “kuchi kuchi” and the chart topping love ballad “don’t break my heart”, the super talented singer has solidified her status as one of the best upcoming acts in the country. Lil kesh’s “shoki (female version)” had her going toe to toe with Eva & Chidinma who are no slouches in their own right, while she shone alongside Illbliss on “jamo”. Her debut album slated for release in the second quarter will surely be a revelation.

7. SEYI SHAY

ALBUMS – NIL

ALBUM TITLE – TBD

ALBUM # - 1

LABEL – FLYTIME MUSIC

Every other year a female artiste gets her breakout year, 2013 was Tiwa Savage’s year and 2014 was Yemi Alade’s year, 2015 is already looking like Seyi Shay’s. Contrary to what most might think, the Genevieve pink ball ambassador is no green horn as she has had the privilege of touring with Beyonce and working with her father Matthew Knowles, not to mention writing songs for former spice girl, Melanie C and also writing and producing songs on the soundtrack of Konami’s video game “crime life :gang wars”. Preparation for her debut has seen the release of several chart topping singles such as “loving your way”, “irawo”, “chairman” ft Kcee, “crazy” ft Wizkid, “ragga ragga”, “killing me softly” ft Timaya, “airbrush” & “murda” ft Patoranking & shaydee. With A list producers such as Dokta Frabz, Cobhams Asuquo, Del B, Legendary beats, TY mix & J Sleek on board, Seyi Shay’s album will most definitely be a pleasant and solid offering.

6. REMINISCE

ALBUMS – BOOK OF RAP STORIES (2012), ALAGA IBILE (2013)

ALBUM TITLE – BABA HAFUSA

ALBUM # - 3

LABEL – LES ROUGES ROSES/EDGE RECORDS

Remilekun Safaru saw his stock rise considerably following the release of his outstanding sophomore effort “Alaga Ibile” which spawned hits like “sunkere”, “fantasi”, “eleniyan” ft Wizkid & “daddy” ft Davido. Despite dedicating his junior album to his daughter Hafusa, it certainly won’t be filled with nursery rhymes as evident on the street single “tesojue”, “let it be known (freestyle)” and Sarz’s “ise yen”. Guest verses on Ruggedman’s “8 figures”, Phenom’s “ashewo”, Morell’s “wazobia”, Hakym’s “salamualekum (remix)”, Black magic’s “Africa (remix)”, Sean Tizzle’s “kilogbe (remix)” and Jaywon’s “tana wole (remix)” just to name a few has kept his momentum going. Alongside Olamide and Phyno, Remi has got this whole indigenous rap thing on lockdown and in case you still doubt his versatility, listen to his verse on Naeto C’s “owu no dey touch”.

5. PATORANKING

ALBUMS – NIL

ALBUM TITLE – TBD

ALBUM # - 1

LABEL – FOSTON MUSIK

In an industry over saturated by candy pop songs and recycled beats, it was no surprise when Patoranking’s debut single “alubarika” featuring Timaya caught on and spread like wildfire. Just as critics were about to write him off as a flash in the pan, the dancehall star wowed with his patois flow on DJ hazan’s “early momo” and further impressed with the release of his follow up single “girlie o” and the remix which featured Tiwa Savage. Patoranking’s burgeoning career further blossomed with the release of singles such as “friends”, “happy day” and “daniella whine” and culminated in him winning the next rated award at the Headies 2014. Patoranking’s debut looks to be heading for ground breaking status and missing that will still be a much needed breath of fresh air.

4. MAVINS

ALBUMS – NIL

ALBUM TITLE – TBD

ALBUM # - 1

LABEL – MAVIN RECORDS

Following up on the success of Dr Sid’s “Siduction” and Tiwa’s “Once upon a time”, Don Jazzy and his super talented crew made up of sibling D’prince, Tiwa savage, Dr. sid, Di’ja, Reekado banks and Korede bello dropped “dorobucci” which was unarguably the biggest song of 2014. They followed that up with “adaobi”, “looku looku” and the Nigerian solidarity single “arise”. With the individual singles from the likes of Di’ja “awww” and “yaro (remix)” ft ice prince, Korede bello “african princess” and “cold outside”, Reekado banks “chop am” and “turn it up” ft Tiwa savage & D’prince “Oga titus” turning up the heat. All bets are on the Doros to have one of the biggest albums of 2015.

3. D’BANJ

ALBUMS – NO LONG THING (2005), RUNDOWN (2006), ENTERTAINER (2008), D KINGS MEN (2013)

ALBUM TITLE – TIMELESS

ALBUM # - 5

LABEL – DB RECORDS/G.O.O.D MUSIC/MERCURY RECORDS

Even though we were teased with the idea of a new D’banj album in 2014, it never came to fruition and instead what we got was the Burna boy assisted “oya wait”, the deevee produced workout song “omini”, the soundtrack to Chimamanda Adichie’s half of a yellow sun movie “bother you”, “gifted” featuring DJ jimmy jatt and the chest thumping banger “alaye” which all showcased banga lee at his finest. As ONE ambassador he also played an integral role in Africa’s biggest collaboration of 2014 “cocoa na chocolate” and while rumours of being heavily indebted swirled in the media, the Apple/Beats by Dre African ambassador released the radio friendly “feeling the nigga” to cap off the year and ushered in the New Year with the remix featuring Konvict music boss, Akon. If all the aforementioned tracks are anything to go by, we should be expecting a more mature sound and a well rounded album from kiniun funfun.

2. WANDE COAL

ALBUMS –MUSHIN 2 MOHITS (2009)

ALBUM TITLE – BLACK DIAMOND

ALBUM # - 2

LABEL – BLACK DIAMOND ENTERTAINMENT

Saying Wande’s sophomore album is long overdue is the understatement of all understatements. It’s been 5 long years since the release of his outstanding debut “Mushin to Mohits” and the years have not been so kind to WC. In spite of all his personal travails and label woes, he has so far managed to stay relevant. From failed comeback bids in the form of “the kick”, “private trips”, “Go low” and “been long you saw me”, The chocolate skinned MC has re emerged with the infectious Maleek berry produced hit single “baby hello”, the Shizzi produced and Skuki assisted “aye dun” which is gaining massive airplay nationwide while singles like “rotate”, “amorawa” ft Burna boy and “baby face” have kept his buzz strong. Guest appearances on Ruggedman’s “agidi” and Flavour’s “wake up” have done nothing to hurt his cause. You don’t go from Mushin to mohits, mohits to mavin and fading from mavin to black without having a lot to get off your chest. It is safe to say we are about to find out how bright WC’s diamond really is.

1. DAVIDO

ALBUMS –OMO BABA OLOWO (2013)

ALBUM TITLE – TBD

ALBUM # - 2

LABEL – HKN GANG

There is no denying the fact that Davido has risen to become one of the best artists in Africa since the release of his debut “Omo baba olowo” which spawned several hits like “back when” ft Naeto C, “all of you”, “ekuro” and “dami duro”. In the quest to follow up the successful debut, the HKN gang boss didn’t rest on his oars and his hard work paid immediate dividends in the form of hit singles such as “gobe”, “skelewu” and “one of a kind”, but it wasn’t until the T spize produced smash single “aye” rocketed up the charts that people started to notice. Not one to be contented with being good when being great was achievable, Davido teamed up with continental heavyweights Mafikizolo, DJ Arafat and Uhuru for “tchelete”, “naughty” and “skelewu (remix)” respectively. Not even the negativity surrounding his rumoured beef with Wizkid could slow his role as he carted home various awards ranging from The Headies (song of the year & artiste of the year), BET (Best international act, Africa), Ghana music awards (African artiste of the year), MAMA (Best male artiste & Artiste of the year), NEA (Male artiste of the year & Hottest single of the year) etc. Davido’s music has become simply irresistible and while he yet remains the darling of Nigerian pop, 2015 might be the year of his coronation as king.

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

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Friday, January 2, 2015

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