For any artist at all, making a debut album is a decisive moment. Now for female artists who have to deal with public perception and heavy branding efforts, the stakes are even higher.
Culture observers and music veterans may not agree on whether it is difficult or not to make a debut album. But what everyone agrees on is that it is hard to build a successful career after a weak debut.
For even certified hitmakers who have a clearly traceable track record of mega-hit singles, their debut album can either become what pushes them further to the next elevated status or what eventually throws a spanner in the works.
Notable names and stars like Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, Simi, and even male artists like Odumodublvck have all at some point talked about how women in the industry have to work twice as hard as their male counterparts to get the same level of recognition.
When debut albums in history are discussed, the conversation is often about the impact and legacy of the works of hip hop stars, R&B, and Afropop icons who are all, in fact, male.
In celebrating women’s month and ahead of the International Women’s Day, we have decided to spotlight and document debut masterpieces that remain evergreen from Afrobeats female artists.
Criteria: Album quality, impact, legacy and commercial success (added advantage).
7) Tems – Born in the Wild
Year of release: 2024
Tracks/Duration: 18/54:26
Singles: ‘Love Me Jeje’, ‘Me & U’ and ‘Burning’
Label: RCA Records
Features: Two – J. Cole and Asake
Genre: Afrobeats, R&B
Producers: Tems, GuiltyBeatz, Sarz, P2J, London, Spax, and DameDame
Thoughts: While this album was originally slated for release in 2023, it has gone on to smash records in history by peaking at fifty-six in the US which is the highest peak for an album by a Nigerian female artist.
Producers: Cobhams Asuquo, Del B, E Kelly, J Martins, M.I Abaga, SizzlePRO & Spellz
Thoughts: This album served as a crescendo of the songbird’s romance with stardom. Before jumpstarting her career on a major scale, Waje found herself cuddling fame as her vocals rocked the chorus of 2008 monster hit, ‘Do Me‘ by P-Square. A fanbase was born. And work started proper. The three-octave vocal powerhouse soon found herself rising steadily to own her place in the industry.
It was a no-brainer that she was due for a debut album to reinforce her position by 2013. And it did work. With productions from some of the industry’s finest and collaborations with A-listers, W.A.J.E is a resonating album packed with female anthems for days and evergreen love tunes.
5) Omawumi – Wonder Woman
Year of release: 2009
Tracks/Duration: 16 songs/58:58
Singles: ‘In the Music’, ‘Today Na Today’, ‘Serious Love Nwantiti’
Label: Oma Records
Features: Six – Eldee, Shank, Dr Frabz, Naeto C, Waje, Kel
Genre: Afrobeats, Contemporary R&B
Thoughts: Promoted by singles like, ‘Today Na Today,’ and ‘In The Music,’ the album excelled on structured songwriting and good storytelling when necessary on songs, and it effortlessly blended genres like R&B, pop, dance, Hip-Hop, disco and afro-fusion.
The album provided Nigeria with an ace female singer for the mainstream during a time Nigeria was short on those. Asa was a niche offering that was not about the dance music and setting dancefloors on fire. In the grand scheme of things, it was a necessary step in Omawumi’s career and it was the right one. I think the entire purpose of the album is gratitude—it was a need at the time and it served its purpose.
– Culled from Pulse Nigeria
4) Chidinma – Chidinma
Year of release: 2012
Tracks/Duration: 11 songs/44:50
Singles: ‘Jankoliko’, ‘Carry You Go’, ‘Kedike’, ‘Run Dia Mouth’
Label: Ultima Limited
Features: Olamide, Suspect, Sound Sultan
Genre: Afrobeats, Contemporary R&B
Producers: Cobhams Asuquo, Tee-Y Mix, WazBeat and Oscar Heman Ackah
Thoughts: Fresh on the scene on the heels of winning the third edition of Project Fame West Africa, Chidinma’s debut studio album was highly-anticipated—it only made sense; the crowning of a new star was televised.
As her first offering, it was important that she did something to quickly remind people why she won. In no time, she scored a mega hit record, ‘Kedike‘ off the album. And the rest, as they say, is history. The success her career would go on to enjoy from 2013 was because of this album.
3) Yemi Alade – King of Queens
Year of release: 2014
Tracks/Duration: 29 songs/60:19
Singles: ‘Johnny’, ‘Tangerine’, ‘Kissing’, ‘Taking Over Me’, ‘Temperature’, ‘Duro Timi’
Producers: Selebobo, Sizzle Pro, Shady Bizniz, and OJB Jezreel
Thoughts: This album was bound to happen at some point. Yemi Alade had beaten Michael Ogah, Yahil, comedian Fine Boy, and dancer Joshua Ekeledo to win the maiden edition of the Peak Talent Hunt Show in 2009. But it was not until 2013 that the terrific run of Mama Africa herself kicked off in full motion.
After ‘Johnny‘, there was no going back. This album houses the continent-wide monster hit and other sleeper hits that helped her break into global and yet-to-be-covered (at the time) African markets.
2) Ayra Starr – 19 & Dangerous
Year of release: 2021
Tracks/Duration: 11 songs/33:14
Lead Single: ‘Bloody Samaritan’
Label: Mavin Records
Features: Fousheé, CKay
Genre: Afrobeats, Afropop, Alte
Producers: Louddaaa, London, Don Jazzy, Andre Vibez
