The year 2012 will not easily be erased from the memory of Nigerian
music fans and indeed the entire industry. With the azonto’s and
etighi’s taking over the DJ’s turntables in radio stations and clubs,
2013 is going to be one of the most important years in the history of
Nigerian entertainment.
A lot of focus is going to be on the Top 4 of the Nigerian Music
League (D’banj, P-Square and 2Face) as well as EME’s star boy Wizkid.
While a lot of artistes put out albums and scored a few international
collaborations in 2012, the most anticipated materials are definitely
going to pop up in 2013.
I initially put up a list of 10 artistes albums most music fans are
anticipating, then a few other names came up as I held the discussion in
my head, eventually taking up the number to 15. So without much ado,
and in no particular order, I have tabled down a list of 15 artistes
whose albums are anticipated in 2013. M.I After bursting into the music scene in 2006 and 4 solid materials to
his name (2 albums and 2 mixtapes), the pressure is on the self
acclaimed African Rapper Number 1 to lay claim to his throne. From the
title of the album to it’s cover art and choice of songs, M.I’s next album with face a lot of scrutiny from the the Nigerian public. Let’s hope he lives up to expectation. Jesse Jagz
Jesse Jagz was quiet for a huge part of last year,
with many rumouring a possible rift with the Chocolate City management
and some other sections suggesting it was the label’s strategy to make
him scare and sought after. Whatever the case was/is, Jesse Jagz in 2013
faces the challenge of cementing his position an Artiste as opposed to
Jesse the producer. His Omo Abaga mixtape and collaboration with Tiwa Savage did not materialize in 2012, raising the thirst for a Jargo compilation in 2013. Modenine – Alphabetical Order With 5 albums to his name, the London Born rapper is still a strong
force to contend with in the rap genre. In 2013 he’s set to team up with
Hip Hop producer XYZ to release his much awaited Alphabetical Order
album. One of the very few to keep in touch with the Boom Pap rap
delivery, the Alphabetical Order album is sure to get pundits agitated. Burna Boy
Unknown to many, the Aristokrat Record’s crooner and Hip Hop Award’s
Rookie of the Year did not come out of nowhere to take the Nigerian
music industry by storm. A quick listen to his Burn Identity Mixtape
released in 2011 will give you a clue of the massive talent the young
man is. Having gained stardom and delivering one of the Top songs of
2012, the ladies will like to party with Burna Boy in 2013 and his numerous fans will want him to live up to or even surpass the debut releases of Davido and Wizkid. Iyanya – Iyanya Versus Desire (IVD)
The MTN project fame winner made a major leap from R&B to the
dancehall in 2012. A Range Rover and 3 Million Caller Tune downloads
later, Iyanya is one of the most sought after performers in the
industry. Having already revealed the title of his debut album: Iyanya Versus Desire (IVD) *with a few hilarious critics already claiming the title sounds like an STD *. Nevertheless, the production genius of D’Tunes will be put to test on this one.
Dammy Krane
Hypertek Record’s comical figure Dammy Krane has a
lot of responsibility placed on his shoulders in 2013, although his
playful demeanour tends to relieve a bit of that pressure. Nonetheless,
being the prodigy of one of africa’s greatest exports, 2face Idibia,
Dammy Krane will surely not take the expectations for his debut release
lightly. New School Fuji on it’s way. Tiwa Savage
The Mavin Record’s and 323 1st Lady is long overdue for a
debut album. With a Grammy-nominated song already added to her CV for
penning the lyrics, Don Jazzy has a huge load to carry in terms of how
he plans to unleash the budding prowess on the Nigerian an International
audience in 2013. Wande Coal
Dust off your copy of Mushin to Mo’Hits and slot it into you CD
Player. What comes on is undoubtably a collection of classic tunes and
vocals laced by the very talented Wande Coal. Even
though we were deprived of his unique voice in 2012, with only 3 songs
and a couple of leaked freestyles, 2013 is the year WC is set to bounce
back in full force with a very key factor, Don Jazzy Again! Wizkid It all began with that catchy hook “To ba lowo, Fast Money Fast Cars”
on M.I’s Talk About It. And since then it’s been a meteoric rise for
EME’s star boy Wizkid. Following a solid debut album Superstar in 2011
and a BET award under his belt, the spotlight is going to be on him in
2013, both locally and internationally. Having scored collaborations
with rappers Young Jeezy, Game and Wale (possibly Chris Brown too), I’m almost physically dripping saliva from my mouth in expectation of this album. D’banj
Eja Nla had one of the most dramatic years in his entire career in
2012. Landing a deal with Kanye West, the Mo’Hits break up, setting up
his own label, signing deals upon deals upon deals, it’s even hard to
imagine that the last time he put out an album was almost 6 years ago.
Yet the koko master is still arguably the hottest African artiste in the
international market right now. Word from his camp suggests that D’banj
is going to have 2 separate albums in 2013, one intended for the
Nigerian market and another targeted at the International scene. Fileee! KaySwitch
Alongside his ex-Mo’Hits counterparts, the eyes of everyone will be beamed on Kayswitch
as he breeds under the wings of his elder brother. The DB Record’s
artiste has a lot to prove in 2013 and he has very limited options but
to deliver. DKM
I decided to put the DB Record’s compilation separately because of
the reputation of previous compilation albums put together by different
groups. The Curriculum Vitae album by Mo’Hits undoubtably set the wheel
of the Mo’Hit’s cart in motion, so we wait to see what D’banj, Kayswitch, Jay Soul, Jay Sleek and Dee Vee have planned for us on D Kings Men. Banky W – R&Bw
Chairman of Emezzy has proven his versatility as a mogul as well as
an artiste in 2012. His R&Bw album had to be put on hold for the
Empire Mates State of Mind compilation from the crew, but February 14th will see the unleashing of his much awaited sophomore effort. P-Square
Who sold out a 52,000 seater stadium and had a hit collabo with the
hottest rapper in 2012? You guessed right, the Okoye twins. Known for
keeping a tight lip on upcoming projects, Universal Music and Konvict
Africa will definitely want to see quick returns on their investments.
The result will be another ground breaking album from the duo, this time
with notable international features in it this 2013. Sasha P
The storm record’s 1st lady ventured into the fashion
business with the unveiling of her Eclectic line in 2012, but 2013
promises to be see the ex-tribe records femcee return to the music scene
and we hope she does justice to the state of female rappers in the
industry.
*. Nevertheless, the production genius of D’Tunes will be put to test on this one.
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