2020 – The Nigerian Music Year Of The EPs

In the Nigerian music industry, for all the ills that came with the corona virus pandemic and the tsunami of being cash strapped its brought along, the one good positive we have had so far is that it made artistes work more on releasing a body of work. The year 2020 is the Nigerian music year of the EPs – Arguably, as of today; we have had more EPs released than the entire of 2019. But having more EPs in the industry does not equate to having the best or the worst.

Although, one could argue that some of the musicians joined the bandwagon for the sole reason of being able to make money off streaming to survive. That said, fans are enjoying the opportunity to hear more songs from their idols. Listening to the songs in the trailer load of EPs now on display divides opinion, but that feeling is not out of place – it could also be subjective. Judging the content, while some songs come out as a rush project, others are eargasmic. Below are some EPs that will worth your listen – but you have the right to draw your opinion.

Omah Lay – ‘Get Layd’ EP Had Everyone Spellbound

As of today, It’s hard to talk about all the body of work released by Nigerian artistes in the year 2020 without mentioning Omah Lay’s EP titled Get Layd. According to so many music fans, the 5-track EP published on May 22nd is the best release so far. From songs like Damn, You, and fan favorites like Yeyeye, Lolo, and Bad Influence – undisputedly, the EP delivered some of the most cross-over hit songs currently in the industry. Signed to Dvpper Music, he’s the first African artiste to be highlighted by the Africa Rising Initiative launched by Apple Music, a music and video streaming platform. Every two months through the program, the music editorial team at Apple Music selects one artiste from the continent and amplifies their music to its users in 167 countries.

Praiz To The Moon EP released on the 3rd of July is exceptional. As an RnB vocal powerhouse, one will expect nothing less than perfection. The 5-track EP featured DJ Obi, Kingxn, MI, Ice Prince, and Niyola. The songs in the EP are To The Moon, Wings, Like It, Feels, and Red Flag. Judging by how fantastic the lead single called Like It featuring Ice Prince sounded, as well as the other songs, this EP is a collector’s item.

Click to Pre-order To The Moon EP – https://praiz.ffm.to/tothemoon

Harrysong – Right About Now EP is a compilation of great songs. When it comes to music, you can hardly fault Harrysong. His EP called Right About Now is a collection of sing-along and party songs. To be sincere, this is a collector’s item. The 8-track body of work featured Rudeboy, Davido, Sheye Banks, Hiro, Stonebwoy, and Toofan.

During his house release party for the EP held on the 14th of August, the attendees – fans, friends, and the media watched him performed all the songs in the new project called Right About Now – a compilation of great songs. The tracks in the EP are Falling For You, E Be You, Konna ft. Rudeboy, Deliver Me ft. Hiro, Apianko ft. Stonebwoy, Bum Bum Bum ft. Davido, Isioma, and Oppressor ft. Toofan). It also contained an opening intro titled Kumbaya ft. Sheyebanks.

Click to stream ‘Right About Now‘ – https://audiomack.com/iamharrysong/album/right-about-now

Jaywon – The Mixtape Aje Is Captivating. While so many musicians have released EP containing about 5-tracks, Jaywon pushed the envelope with the release EP in the form of a mixtape containing 10-songs. This compilation is engrossing. There are so many songs to love and sing aloud. With tracks like Saro, Inside Life, Away, Irin Ajo Ife, Aje featuring Keke Ogungbe, Ability, One Call, Family, Aje Remix featuring Barry Jhay and Lyta, and Aje Wazobia Remix featuring Phyno, Zlatan, and Magnito, this mixtape, is very captivating.

Click the link to stream Jaywon ‘Aje – Mixtape – https://africori.to/ajethemixtape

Idahams Man On Fire. If democracy symbolizes freedom of expression, the EP of the artiste known as Idahams called Man On Fire released on 12th of June – Nigeria democracy day holiday is symbolic of his faultless artistic expression – it is a compilation of feel-good music. The single Ada from the EP made it to the number one spot on the Black Music Chart in the United Kingdom. Man On Fire is a 7-track EP reflective of the Idahams’ perfection.

Listen to Ada: https://umgafrica.lnk.to/ManOnFire

Reminisce Vibes & Insha Allah. It is fair to say that most of the audiences in the industry did not see the release of this EP coming until Reminisce announced it with the release of the single called Ogaranya featuring Fireboy DML (The first song Fireboy will featurE on since signing with YBNL). The 6-tracks project features Tiwa Savage, Fireboy DML, while the opening track Vibes features the rapper’s daughters Mo and Fatimah. On this EP, Reminisce worked with producers such as Sarz, TMXO, Kriz Beats, and a couple of The Sarz Academy kids, Aivert, and Looney Tunes.

Cheque – Razor EP is one of the best in town. Despite not having the deserving media mention, I recommend this 5- track EP as one that everyone must hear. From the first track Zoom, a pop single with attributes of songs on the billboard 100 pop chart. Then the song LOCO is a lovely party track to dance and sing -along. Track 3 is called Satisfied. The fourth track is Odun – arguably one of the best songs published by any Nigerian artiste this year. The EP ended with the song Hollywood. Like I said earlier, this is one of the best EPs released so far.

Click to Stream Razor EP – https://onerpmafrc.lnk.to/Cheque-RazorEP

Oxlade – Oxygene EP Stands Amongs The Best – The year 2020 has seen several Nigerian musicians released a body of work in the form of an EP. And Oxlade has his in Oxygene. If you have not been privileged to listen to all the songs, it never too late to do so. From the intro track, ‘O2’, you will be ushered into some eargasmic tuneful music. Second track Hold On, textually; it will hold on you spellbound. Then comes Away as track three – the highlife guitar strings and the incredible vocal arrangement makes the song fan favorite. The song Kokose and Weakness were crowned by track six called Tables Turn featuring Moelogo is a fantastic piece of reassuring music. Oxlade’s ‘Oxygene’ released in March stands amongst the best.

Korede Bello – Table For Two. Importantly, it is necessary to salute the courage of Korede Bello for having the strength to pull a come back after several months of missing in action in the music industry. Released in July, Korede Bello’s EP Table For Two contains five tracks such as Hey Babye, Table For Two, alongside previously released records including ‘Morire’ and ‘Mi Casa Su Cas.

Click to stream ‘Table For Two‘ – https://koredebello.lnk.to/TableForTwoSo

Selebobo – Bobo Of Africa. Music producer-cum artiste Selebobo released his brand new EP called Bobo of Africa in July. The 7- track project includes the previously released songs like Dai Dia that features Cartel Music head honcho, Tekno.

Click the link to stream the songs in the EP – https://smarturl.it/BoboOfAfricaEP

Words by Sesan Adeniji: Instagram & Twitter – @sesanadeniji