Somto BisinaFrom amazing Music to incredible Movies, this year, the Nigerian entertainment industry gave us some bragging rights. Like beans and bread, when it comes to Nigeria and good Music, you can’t think of one without the other.
With classic albums like “ Grass-to-Grace”, and “Mushin 2 Mohits” to Grammy award-winning “Twice As Tall”, Nigerian artists have never failed to bless us with several beautiful bodies of works to last us a whole year and beyond.
From hotly anticipated albums by superstars Asa and Burna Boy to long-awaited debuts by Rema and Omah Lay, we present the Best Nigerian Albums in 2022 So Far, in descending order.
10. Rema – Rave, and Roses
Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, is a Nigerian Afrobeat singer, and has been on the rise since the release of his hit single “Dumebi”. He has gone on to release more hit songs like, ‘Beamer,’ ‘Woman,’ ‘Ginger’ and ‘Bounce’.
He came into the music scene to get his name and sound out there, with confidence incomparable to non. Little wonder why D’Prince traveled to Benin, to unearth his talent. He is blessed with incredible looks, a great jawline on shiny dark skin. A complete artist if I do say so myself.
Rema had an extremely successful release with his debut album “Rave and Roses”.However, the album generated a lot of negative reviews from critics, and many people complained about the similarity in most of the tracks, in terms of lyrics and themes.
The 16-track debut album, Rave and Roses, was an incredible body of work, but at first, listen, it would be hard to miss the similar approach to beats, similar cadences, and flow scheme making the album seem one-dimensional, even with different beats/genres.
It is making the list of the best 2022 Nigerian albums because, in terms of mixing and production, it doesn’t fall short.
9. Wizkid – More Love Less Ego
Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun also known as Wizkid is a Nigerian Singer and songwriter that needs absolutely no introduction. Wizkid has been in the industry for over a decade, blessing us with classics like, ‘Don’t Dull’, ‘Holla at your boy, ‘Ojuelegba’, and many more, making him a godfather in the industry.
His latest 13-track Album, ‘More Love Less Ego’(MLLE), released on 11th November 2022, was highly anticipated by stans and non-stans, and he did not disappoint.
Wizkid’s ‘More Love Less Ego’ thrives on Wizkid’s soulful and impressive delivery combined with his vocals which makes the songs so soothing. However, in my opinion, the lack of creativity on the album and the absence of diversity in song themes is a far shot from the artistic development expected from Wikzid’s Fifth Studio album.
While none of the songs on this album are particularly bad, it is important to note that none of them are also immediately iconic. The songs don’t seem like a lot of time or intention was spent on them in terms of writing and crafting.
8. Simi – To Be Honest 
In 2017, when Simisola rose to the limelight, music fans and critics who know the first thing about music could instantly spot her incredible talent.
When Simi released ‘Simisola’, her writing contained the confidence, emotions, and appeal of a bold young woman.
Her follow-up album ‘Omo Charlie Champagne’ was the beginning of an evolution into her artistic zone that captures her womanhood and maturity. That album might have not aged well, but it was a great listen.
‘To Be Honest’ was released, on the 3rd of June 2022, an eleven(11) track album showcasing her beautiful powerhouse vocals.
Simi opens up the album with a ‘Story Story’ which is a recollection of her journey so far. From struggling for studio sessions to jumping on Drake’s ‘Controlla’ all to achieve her goal. The writing is good and the delivery is great. It’s a great intro that settles listeners into the honest outlook Simi was employing for the album.
7. BOJ – Gbagada Express
Bolaji Odojukan popularly called Boj and is credited to be one of the three pioneers of Lagos’ underground genre, which goes by the general name, Alté.
Boj had left his fans hungry for a new solo project since ‘Magic’ in 2017, and on his last birthday in April, he fed them ‘Gbagada Express’.
With ‘Gbagada Express’, Boj explores the different sounds and subgenres that could come out of Lagos. The album does an excellent job of telling the different stories of Boj and his experiences at different times as a Lagos resident. This is not a general pick, but those that know would agree when I say this is an amazing listen.
6. Adekunle Gold – Catch Me If You Can
Adekunle Kosoko, popularly known as Adekunle Gold, is a Nigerian high-life singer-songwriter. ‘Catch Me If You Can’ was released on February 4th, 2022, and is unarguably one of the best 2022 Nigerian albums, because it speaks to Adekunle’s growth and evolution in the music industry.
Adekunle Gold went from singing songs like “Ire” and “Orente” to singing “High” and “Sinner”. How does one measure that?
From the energetic song, “High” featuring Davido, to ‘Sinner’,’ Born Again’ and many more, he left us wanting more.
Some of the songs on the album, may not have been hit songs, but they are solid tracks with great replay value that is sure to get an audience entertained in a concert.
5. ASA – “V”
Bukola Elemide professionally known as Aṣa, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and recording artist. She has always been known for music realism attached to relatable storytelling plus amazing songwriting which has bagged her numerous recognition
“V” is an emotionally empowering album that sees Asa releasing herself to so many emotions and admitting that love comes with its flaws, but this doesn’t make it less desirable. The album housed a couple of hit songs which are “Show me off” “IDG ft. Wizkid” and “Mayana”.
“V” made it to this list not only because of its good replay value, but the artistry on the album is commendable. It is not as powerful as Asa’s first two albums, but it is better than “Lucid” her 2019 album.
4. Omah Lay – Boy Alone 
Stanley Omah Didia aka Omah Lay is a Nigerian singer-songwriter who gained widespread recognition in early 2020 after his self-produced single, “Bad Influence”, went viral on social media.
Omah Lay has never missed a chance to advance artistically, because one consistent thing about him is the making of not just hit songs, but really good songs. His debut EP “Get Layd” and sophomore EP “What Have We Done” are big testaments to this fact.
Boy Alone was released, on 15th July 2022 and featured hit songs like ‘soso’, ‘Attention’, ‘Understand’, and many more songs, making it a 14-track album.
The production of this album cannot match the quality of his EP. It’s no doubt that some sections of his fan base hold a lingering refusal to move past the brilliance of his debut EPs, “Get Layed”; & “What Have We Done” but this new album pushed his boundaries and although the acceptance of this album was slow, it definitely has a spot in everybody’s top 10.
3. Asake – Mr Money With The Vibe
Every year, Nigerian pop welcomes several breakout stars to the mainstream and among those ushered into the fold, there are several who go on to spin a special breakout year that quickly sets them apart from their peers, while some become what is known as “one-hit wonder star”
Ahmed Ololade professionally known as Asake is a Nigerian singer and the fastest raising star in the history of Nigerian Music. Although he has been in the industry for quite some time, he got his long-awaited recognition, when he secured a feature with Olamide on his hit song, ‘Omo Ope’.
Asake’s current run has been likened to the first category of artists, as mentioned earlier, as he emerged as an artist operating with veteran tendencies and radio-ready songs.
This album was not only a hit in Nigeria but all over the world, topping charts since its release. On Mr. Money With The Vibe, elements of traditional Nigerian fuji music are infused with elements of Afropop and South African Amapiano—entrancing basslines, captivating strings, choral melodies—to produce an almost spiritual sonic landscape that’s set the ‘Afro-fusion’ artist apart from his contemporaries.
2. Fireboy – Playboy
Since the success of 2019’s Laughter, Tears, and Goosebumps album, Fireboy DML has embraced the universal appeal of Afrobeats and has been welcomed in turn. His hit single “Peru” achieved global TikTok fame and caught the attention of Afrobeats admirer Ed Sheeran, who hopped on a remix.
On Playboy, Fireboy’s writing is clean and incisive, dancing between English, pidgin, and his native Yoruba Language. He can be grave and reflective, like when admits he’s struggling to adjust to fame in the opener, “Change.”
“Playboy” is a spectrum of different sounds ranging from; Afrobeat, Afropop, Calypso, Afro-Caribbean music, reggae-tinged, and R&B. It’s safe to say that Fireboy has achieved a trifecta status with Playboy.
1. Burna Boy- Love, Damini
Throughout his decade-long career, Burna Boy has turned doubts, and controversies, into a beautiful body of work. Each successive album has propelled him farther along on his journey from Afro-fusion innovator to a global star.
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, better known as Burna Boy, delivered an album full of unforgettable tunes and has emerged with an unexpected lyricism of a man more comfortable in his own skin and willing to use his music to work out his emotional baggage for our greater good, and I am here for all of it.
Love, Damini already has over one billion streams to date and the second single on the album, “Last Last,” has already garnered his first number one on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Charts. This is Prime Business Africa’s Number 1 Album, because the 60-minute-long project, was a no-skip album.
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