Amid all the setbacks and chaos suffered by the entertainment industry, some Nigerian musicians were still able to come up with a wonderful blend of music, with some releasing singles, and others going as far as putting out albums.

Here are three albums that made 2020 enjoyable:

‘TWICE AS TALL’ By Burna Boy

After the success recorded from ‘African Giant’, his fourth album released in 2019, Burna Boy once again showcased his ability to put out a powerful and lyrically meaningful album with a perfect blend of melodies yet retaining his African touch.

‘Twice as Tall’, which is his fifth studio album, was finally released on August 14, after failing to meet its initial July release date. In the album, Burna Boy unleashes his own kind of Afro-fusion — a mix of afrobeat, reggae, dancehall, hip-hop, EDM, and more.

A week after its release, the 15 track album topped the ‘World album Category’ of BillBoard music chart and thereafter secured him his second Grammy nomination for the ‘Best Global Music Album’ category of the 2021 awards.

He enlisted the likes of Stormzy, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Youssou N’Dour, Naughty By Nature, and Sauti Sol, among others.

On ‘Monsters you made’, a track on the album, Burna Boy vented his annoyance at the government for failing the citizens and also addressed some of the ills that have become consistent in the African continent.

‘A BETTER TIME’ By Davido

After the success recorded from ‘A Good Time’, his 2019 album, the ‘OBO’ crooner again came through with ‘A Better Time’, released on November 13. The 17-track album title implies a better time than its predecessor ‘A Good Time’.

The body of work, which was earlier scheduled for July release, failed to meet the deadline but a new date was announced by the singer.

The album featured several music heavyweights including Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown, Nas, Young Thug, international singers and Tiwa Savage, Mugeez, CKay, Lil Baby, Hit-Boy, Sho Madjozi, Bella Shmurda, Sauti Sol and Mayorkun.

Some of the tracks in the project include ‘Fem’, ‘Jowo’, ‘Something fishy’, ‘Heaven’, ‘Very Special’, ‘Holy Ground’, ‘The Best’, ‘Shopping Spree’ and ‘Sunlight’.

Speaking about the album, Davido said it was inspired by Africa’s ethos. “We (African people) always like to celebrate and A Better Time is that outlet to be free, be happy and hopeful for a better future,” he told Complex.

‘Fem’, a track on the album, which means ‘Shut up’ in Yoruba, became the anthem of the #EndSARS protesters, during their campaign against police brutality and bad governance held across Nigeria.

‘MADE IN LAGOS’ By Wizkid

After teasing the project for nearly two years Wizkid finally released ‘Made in Lagos’ on October 30, featuring the likes of Burna Boy, Tems, Tay Iwar, Skepta, British musicians; H.E.R, an American act; and Damian Marley.

In ‘Made In Lagos’, the multiple-award-winner stabilizes the mixture of stars from home and abroad while also blessing music lovers with offerings that can compete across different cultures yet maintaining his roots.

In the 14-track project, which is dedicated to Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial city, Wizkid creates a robust sound that not only pushes Afrobeats into what feels like a new territory but crafts for him his own genre of music.

Since its release, the album has continued to receive global recognition including being named as one of The Guardian UK’s 50 Best Albums of 2020.