- Collaborating with artistes on an album project is seen daily in the music world
- However, some Nigerian artistes have at one point defied the necessity and released albums without a feature
- TheRadar spotlighted 6 Nigerian albums without a feature
Collaborations in the music industry is an inevitable phase for both emerging and established artistes. It is what we see every day.
However, to have a full-body album project without a single feature is arguably one of the most daring attempts some Nigerian artistes have explored.
The Nigerian music landscape has seen unforgettable and defying debuts like Fireboy DML’s Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps stand the test of time without a feature.
Renowned artistes like Olamide, Timaya have also been on the same route and it can be said that this solidified their creativity and artistry. In this article, TheRadar curated a list of 6 unforgettable Nigerian albums without a feature.
6 Nigerian albums without features
- Kizz Daniel — King of Love (2020)
In June 2020, Kizz Daniel dropped his third studio project, King of Love, released under Flyboy I.N.C. King of Love is a 17-track Afropop project that further immersed music lovers into Kizz Daniel’s ability to tell a good love story. Jaho, Ada, and Pak n Go remain some of its popular tracks. The album’s ability to prove its worth without a feature makes it inclusive on our list.
- Fireboy DML — Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps (2019)
Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps debut album by Nigerian singer and songwriter Fireboy DML is arguably one of the timeless debuts in the Nigerian music scene. From penmanship to delivery, it remains the best work of the singer yet. Interestingly, the debut enjoys its accolades solely on Fireboy’s artistry without support from collaboration. The 13-track 2019 project was jointly produced by Pheelz, IamBeatz, P.Prime, Echo the Guru and Cracker Mallo. Some of its notable hits are Jealous, Scatter and Like I Do.
- Burna Boy — Outside (2018)
Nigerian singer Damini Ogulu, known as Burna Boy released his third studio project, Outside in 2018. The music album, which was described by the singer as a mixtape composed of Afrobeats, dancehall, road rap and reggae. It was solely credited with Burna Boy name signifying no feature on the album. It houses one of his famous songs, Ye.
- Olamide — Eyan Mayweather (2015)
Renowned Nigerian rapper Olamide also joins the list with his fifth studio album Eyan Mayweather. The album was released through the YBNL Nation. With no single feature on the album, the legendary rapper proved his place as a hitmaker. His popular hits from the album include Melo Melo, Bobo, and Don’t Stop.
- Tiwa Savage — Red (2015)
Red, the second studio project by the Afrobeats queen, Tiwa Savage also boasts of having no feature. The title of the album, RED stands for the acronym, Romance, Expression and Dance. It was released on December 19, 2015, under Mavin Records. Standing Ovation is one notable song off the album.
- Timaya — True Story (2007)
Popular singer Timaya is another Nigerian artiste who showcased his creativity and sole artistry on a debut album. His debut album, True Story, took the risk to hit the airwaves without a feature. The album remains one of the classic Afrobeats projects that is unforgettable. Dem Mama and Ogolomma are some popular songs off the album.
Ranking 10 debut albums that took Nigerian industry by storm
In a previous report by TheRadar, it noted that debut albums go a remarkably long way in determining the trajectory of a music artistes’ career. Think of the phrase ‘first impression matters’ — as a better analogy.
It also opined that the Nigerian music scene with its competitiveness has seen some artistes fizzle out after a debut and yet have witnessed some grow enormously in the industry riding on the groundbreaking effect of their debuts.
From 2Baba’s Face 2 Face, to Fireboy’s Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps, TheRadar ranked the top 10 debut albums that shook the Nigerian music scene. The ranking considered the debut album's relevance, acceptance and evergreen appeal over decades.
