The best Nigerian albums of 2024 — the critics’ choice, ranked

Let’s dive into the top Nigerian albums of 2024—the ones that slapped, resonated, and left us hitting replay repeatedly. While all these albums recorded huge streaming numbers, I considered the albums’ critical acclaim, cohesiveness, and musical quality; production, songwriting, and innovation. The artists’ growth and versatility also played a role in the selection.

The Year I Turned 21 – Ayra Starr

Ayra Starr kicked off 2024 with a bang, reminding everyone why she’s the ‘Gen Z Whisperer‘. The Year I Turned 21 is a deeply personal album, exploring love, heartbreak, ambition, and identity. Tracks like “Goodbye,” “Bad Vibes,” and the tear-jerking “The Kids Are Alright” are particularly striking.

You can not be surprised that this album made the list as Ayra didn’t come alone. She featured Asake, Giveon, Seyi Vibez, and others. Mavin Music Group also ensured that she had the best production that money could buy so that every beat on every track hit the sweet spot.

The Year I turned 21 carried us through the dry spell before the “big boys” and everybody else dropped their projects later in the year.

Homeless – Llona

If you haven’t heard Homeless by Llona, fix that immediately. A relative newcomer, Llona delivered one of the most refreshing projects of the year. His raw lyrics and relatable storytelling spoke to the not-so-silent struggles of many young Nigerians.

The album is a masterclass in introspection and it features Wizard Chan, Fave, and Bella Shmurda, all of whom are storytellers in their own rights. Tracks like “Can’t Breathe,” “Still Scared,” “Forgive Me,” “Gangsta Love Letter,” and “Cold War” showed that Llona didn’t just come to play—he wants to dominate.

What interests me the most is what he would do next because the sonic quality of Homeless is far too great for his next project to be mediocre. He has set the bar high and now he must elevate it even further.

Lungu Boy – Asake

Asake is one of our favourite artists and he achieved this feat with a very simple but tasking strategy -‘Choke them with music’. Since January 2022, he has released 1 EP and three studio albums so there is always an Asake song fresh in your memory.

With ‘Lungu Boy, Asake why Asake is Mr. Money With the Hits, The album blends Afropiano, neo-fúji, and even hints of Hispanic influences yet it remains rooted in his “lungu” beginnings.

Tracks like “MMS (Mr Money Sound),” “Wave,” and “Fuji Vibes” have me wondering what Asake cannot do and what he would do next. What’s more, he spread his tentacles into the diaspora by securing remarkable features with Stormzy, Central Cee, Wizkid, and Travis Scott who all ensured this album resonated internationally.

Adedamola – Fireboy DML

Fireboy’s fourth studio album, Adedamola, is the emotional rollercoaster we wanted but didn’t know we needed. His last two albums didn’t connect with fans as they wanted them to, which raised some questions about the type of musician he was.

He calls his music Afro-life and told fans that the album, which is named after himself would be the ‘real me’ ahead of its release. Adedamola is indeed a sonic journey that delves deeper into Fireboy’s artistry, blending infectious melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and captivating rhythms.

With deeply personal tracks like “Iseoluwa,” “Hell and Back,” “Back and Forth,” and “Everyday,” Fireboy takes us through love, fame, and heartbreak. Featuring heavyweights like Seun Kuti, Jon Batiste, and Lagbaja, this project is as rich in texture as it is in emotion.

HEIS – Rema

Rema’s sophomore album, HEIS, is not just music; it’s an experience. The self-proclaimed king of Afrorave flexes his versatility, mixing trap, house, and traditional West African sounds.

Rema shows his unique talent on HEIS, by drifting away from the style that has dominated the Afrobeats scene in recent years and embracing the radical experimentation that has defined his career.

Tracks like “March Am,” “Azaman,” “Benin Boys,” “HEIS,” “Ozeba,” and “Yayo” are pure fire, showcasing Rema’s storytelling prowess even though he primarily brags throughout the 30-minute long album.

His ambition to break into the elite circle of Afrobeats, often referred to as ‘The Big 3,’ which includes Burna Boy, Davido, and Wizkid is evident and while many disagree, he has indeed started the conversation of a ‘Big Four.’ HEIS undeniably marks a defining moment in Rema’s career and the genre’s ongoing evolution.

Stubborn – Victony

Victony’s Stubborn is the underrated gem of 2024. While the title track, “Stubborn” (featuring Asake) and “Risk” were the most popular tracks, it’s the lesser-known songs like “Ludo,” “Sunday School,” Anita, ‘Pier 45‘, and “Bastard Don’t Be Silly” that truly showcase Victony’s genius.

The album’s storytelling, production, and overall curation make it a strong contender for “timeless classic” status—if the stars align. What many people do not know is that the legendary Olamide Baddo helped Victony piece the album together and that is why he is featured

Wizkid’s Morayo is still growing on us

Wizkid’s fifth studio album, released in November 2024, is a tribute to his late mother and blends Afrobeats with R&B. While tracks like “Piece of My Heart” and “Kese (Dance)” broke streaming records, the album hasn’t yet reached the cultural zenith of his previous works like Made in Lagos or Superstar and I doubt that it can. But hey, it’s Big Wiz. Time might prove me wrong.

Honourable Mentions

Heavier Yet (Lays the Crownless Head) – Seun Kuti and Egypt 80

Summers – BOJ

Born in the Wild – Tems

Ikigai – Olamide (although this is technically an EP and not a studio album)

What were your favourite albums of 2024?

Featured image by Nwabuobi Ugonna/Netng