Despite the drastic Coronavirus pandemic and the impending lockdown, 2020 has been a good year for Nigerian music. Even though the ways in which we engage and interact with the music was reduced to down to strictly earphones and speakers, Nigerian acts continued to serve us some of the best music we’ve had in a while, exploring several palettes of sounds and themes. We have been blessed with so much music from new and familiar acts, even registering a massive breakout with Omah Lay’s “Bad Influence”. Other high profile releases Burna Boy’s “Twice as Tall”, Patoranking’s “Three”, Adekunle Gold’s “Afropop”, as well as Fireboy and Tiwa Savage’s “Apollo” and “Celia” respectively.

But even though we just have just over three months left in this gruelling year, we still have loads of amazing music to look up to. Some of these are projects we’ve have been anticipating for a long time like Wizkid’s Made In Lagos.  Others are those we never knew were even in the works until their creators sparked up our interest with recent announcements. 

Wizkid – Made In Lagos

This project is one that fans and general music lovers have been looking in the sky and stretching their hands out for. Since its initial announcement on  February 18, 2020, Wizkid has been dangling this carrot in front of us for over two years now. A move which has left many frustrated. Some have even given up on the arrival of the project, adopting the ‘if it comes it comes’ model of anticipation. 

But right now, it appears “Made In Lagos” will be on our music players very soon, with Wizkid revamping interest with juicy teasers. The much-teased project is expected to feature guest contributions from Skepta, Ella Mai, Tems, Damian Marley as well as Burna Boy with whom he has been publicly handing around these days.

Davido – A Better Time

Following the immense commercial success that “A Good Time” recorded, amassing over a billion streams, Davido has promised a worthy sequel rightly titled “A Better Time”. And according to the initial announcement, we are supposed to have had the album as far back as July, but … we understand. 

With the release of his latest single ‘Fem’ which was loaded with a heavy statement for detractors, it appears the journey to Davido’s third studio album has already begun. Word also has it that the project would feature appearances from Tiwa Savage and Nicki Minaj. But knowing Davido and his affinity for collaborations, we perceive that we’d be getting an update on the guest list in the coming days.

Tems – Yet To Be Announced

Tems has been of the best gifts 2019 gave to us. Many were (re)introduced to her amazing talents with her stunning debut ‘Mr Rebel’ which served a breath of fresh air to the pacy percussive sound that dominated the music space at the time. She brilliantly followed this up with ‘Looku Looku’ which was reaffirmed what people had come to know from its predecessor. By the time she released her liberating and empowering anthem, ‘Try Me’ Tems had won the elites and streets over. She even made appearances on the biggest shows in the year-ending series of concerts off the back of this culturally and commercially triumphant record. 

And although this year appears to be relatively silent from the singer save for her surprise single ‘These Days’ and teams up with Khalid, Davido, Odunsi and more, it appears we are still in for a treat. A few days ago, she announced on her live session on Instagram that she has her debut and introductory EP coming before the end of the month.  

Simi – Restless II EP 

Simi appears to be having the best of times. Over the past year, she has gotten married to her sweetheart, released her third studio album “Omo Charlie Champagne”, gotten independent, released one of the biggest 2020 records, and also welcomed her new child. Just a few hours ago also, she announced her new deal with United Kingdom-based A&R company, Platoon alongside her coming project “Restless II”. This announcement has thrown the fans of the singer into an orgy of celebration, highly anticipating the release of this coming project with it first single ‘No Longer Beneficial’ dropping this Friday, Septemeber 18.