I was on my own the other day, going about my day until mighty Wizkid chose to bless the ears of his listeners with a new jam. Man! The atmosphere instantly became euphoric as fans and lovers of his work immediately came out on social media to praise this dazzling release from him; same thing happened about a week ago with the release of a new song from Davido after being quiet for some months, music wise and social media wise. These spaced out music release from both artistes came just at the right time as fans of both have been demanding an album release from Wizkid and Davido after months or years now from the former with nonstop nagging and demands and yes, both artistes came through stating the wait is over as they have both put out date for the release of their albums.
Fans expecting and outrageously demanding the release of an album (as if they were owed money) from their favourite artistes is not a new thing in our modern day? Why? You may ask.
Well for one thing we all can agree, albums (or in some cases, mixtape) serve as an introduction into the minds of musician, upfront already showing and telling us what to expect from them, especially if that album happens to be a debut album.
Not surprising though as we see various artistes, our favourites included, do their utmost to release at least one album or Long Play (LP) within the first two years of achieving quite a success at the mainstream or commercial level; one thing is for sure, it helps them stay more relevant and if the album does well commercially, hey! More money baby!! But jokes aside, if we have a favourite musician or artiste and he or she does not have an album, do we not get so tensed anytime they release a single? Causing that gut wrenching feeling which in turn makes us speak out loud in rage like: “goddamit this guy should just release the album already!!!”.
Correct me if I am wrong but have some biggest artistes in Nigeria, not try to release an album as early as possible in their careers? Look at Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, Simi (the list goes on), what do they have in common? Releasing an album within the first two years of them finding relative commercial success. Like I said earlier, correct me if I am wrong, that would be appreciated.
But just as the English men have stated by making it known that — for every rule, there must be an exception — and that for a fact is what has happened in the case of some of Nigeria’s brightest talents in the music industry as some of them have been able to defy the norm of releasing an album within the first two years of them finding relative commercial success in the music industry and till date, they have not released their debut album.
The criteria for this compilation is for artistes who have not released an album within the first two years of them finding relative commercial success in the music industry.
- TEKNO
Photo courtesy – IG: @teknoofficial
Seeing Tekno on this list, talk more of the top spot might be shocking to you, right? But believe me, even I who write this, is still astounded to the extent at which a musician, the caliber of Tekno has managed to finesse the ever changing music industry by achieving all the success he has achieved and yet failed to produce an album; not even a mixtape or an EP has escaped by mistake from the camp of Tekno.
I mean, this man — Tekno — has collaborations with the Crème de la crème of the music world ranging from local arts like Wizkid and Davido to international stars like Beyoncé and Drake and he chose to finesse us by not releasing a music project — an album — for eight years and counting? Wow!
- TEMS
Photo courtesy – IG: @temsbaby
With each song gathering millions of streams, it is only a wonder why a debut album has not come from Tems yet. Till the time she finally decides to release an album for her fans enjoyment, we will keep anticipating and in the meantime bask in the tunes of her debut EP slated for release on September 25, 2020. Hopefully she does not pull a Tekno on us.
This man — Tekno — has collaborations with the Crème de la crème of the music world ranging from local arts like Wizkid and Davido to international stars like Beyoncé and Drake and he chose to finesse us by not releasing a music project — an album — for eight years and counting? Wow!
- TENI
Photo courtesy – IG: @tenientertainer
Jokes aside though, why Teni has not released an album yet cannot be fathom by me (at least) and her fans. Yes you can make the claims that she has been the most promising one to release an album on this list as she has released already two EPs in the span of just 6 months but you will agree with me on the fact that an EP can never equate to the size of an album, not for the short term and obviously not in the grand scheme of things as musicians will always be remembered for their top albums and best singles.
Although she might have stated that her album will be released in 2020, that might not be possible as COVID-19 is still trending and for the magnitude of a debut album, Teni might want to give her fans the ultimate experience with concerts and meet and greets. Pending the time she choose to drop her debut album, which might be sooner than we expect, we will keep jamming to the songs she has blessed us with.
That will be the list and honestly if I am asked the question on who I think will be the first to release a debut album on this compilation, I would choose Teni easily as I see her releasing a debut album late in the year if she decides to not give a damn about corona virus and just put it out anyways or I see her dropping the album early 2021 between January and April but no one knows as Tekno might just be the first one to dot his I’s and cross his Te’s (pun intended) and finally drop that debut album. Sike! I would even bet Tems releasing a debut album before he does. Deuces!!!