2016 might have been a shit year in general terms, from the Nigerian government saying recession was just a word while its citizens were dealing with the worst economy in the country's history to the election of a self-serving, hate-stoking, spray-tan wearing narcissist as POTUS. It seemed like a horror movie that we wanted to end quickly, even memes of not including 2016 in the history books popped up on Twitter. But there was an abundance of dope (for lack of a better word) music albums. 2016 overflowed with albums that sound tracked the days while also lifting spirits. Anderson .Paak's perfect hybrid of Hip-Hop, Soul, Funk and R&B, Kanye's chaotic masterpiece, Rihanna going back to the drawing board to create arguably her best body of work, Beyonce shape shifting between genres on a body of work as cohesive as clay soil, Jon Bellion's well executed post-teen pop set, Kendrick's fantastic set of 'throwaways', Kiss Daniel with 'another 17 hits', Chance the Rapper's gospel-influenced joyful musical painting , Isaiah Rashad ranting and exorcizing his demons, Solange's vocally controlled love letter, Lindsay Abudei affirming that Bass is indeed queen, David Bowie and Leonard Cohen releasing perfect swan songs that would further cement their legacy after their sad passing. Perhaps 2016 should be left in the history books.
MMMNigeria is already unfrozen, so 2017 can only get better right? Here's 11 (because 10 is too mainstream) artists that we anticipate should make significant splashes with their albums/mixtapes in this year's musical pool (TBD - To be Discovered):
1) Big Sean - I Decided (Feb. 3)
After his messy sophomore album 'Hall of Fame', Big Sean's follow up 'Dark Sky Paradise' showcased a much more matured artist by creating a pretty solid body of work. With DSP he also became a bona fide rap star fueled by the popular hit single "IDFWU", but Big Sean isn't satisfied yet. He wants to be seen as the best among his peers. 'I Decided' is expected to solidify his claims to the rap throne. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Sean revealed that the upcoming project is a concept project which will rely on trap beats and quotable lyrics. The official first single - Metro Boomin' produced "Bounce Back" is already his highest peaking single on the billboard charts (#18). Also, after an impressive outing with Jhene Aiko as Twenty88 on their self titled debut, the duo is scheduled to release a follow up sometime this year. 2017 had better watch out for Sean.
.
2) Sampha - Process (Feb. 3)
East London electro-soul singer Sampha Sisay is set to release his debut album. Best known for his collaborative work with SBTRKT, he's worked with various artists including Drake, Jessie Ware, Kanye, Solange and Frank Ocean. His robust voice comes across light as a feather while cutting through with the precision of a sharpened sword. Three stellar singles have been released off his upcoming 'Process' album - "Timmy's Prayer" "Blood on Me" and "(No One Knows Me) Like The Piano". Download these singles, listen, marvel and anticipate 'Process'.
3) Lupe Fiasco - Drogas Light (Feb. 10) From promising 3 albums to getting none to controversial tweets and beefs to numerous retirement yarns. I said I was done with Lupe in 2016 as many times as I've eaten dinner this year. Well, it appears I'm not done yet. After going through the motions ( trading angry tweets with DJBooth, setting his twitter to private and deciding to release no albums again) following alleged antisemitic lyrics on his "N.E.R.D" freestyle single, Lupe finally announced the release date and revealed the tracklist for 'Drogas Light' - the follow up to the impressive and poetically intricate 'Tetsuo & Youth'. Four singles have been released from the album including the impressive Gizzle featured street/space tale "Jump" and smooth radio aiming "Wild Child". A new Lupe album is one to get hyped for, right?
4) Ed Sheeran - ÷ ['Divide'] (March 3)
After winning two Grammys early last year for "Thinking Out Loud", Ed Sheeran disappeared out of public consciousness to work on the follow up to 'x'. Well, Ed is back. His two new singles "Shape of You" and "Castle on the Hill" have caught on like wildfire, both debuting at Nos 1 & 2 respectively on the UK top singles chart and ARIA singles chart. Both singles showcase a new direction in sound while maintaining Ed Sheeran's essence. "Shape" borrows influence from tropical house and contemporary R&B while "Castle" merges folk rock and pop. The album housing these singles '÷' (Divide), continues Ed's use of basic mathematical operations as album titles. Ed Sheeran season is here.
After winning two Grammys early last year for "Thinking Out Loud", Ed Sheeran disappeared out of public consciousness to work on the follow up to 'x'. Well, Ed is back. His two new singles "Shape of You" and "Castle on the Hill" have caught on like wildfire, both debuting at Nos 1 & 2 respectively on the UK top singles chart and ARIA singles chart. Both singles showcase a new direction in sound while maintaining Ed Sheeran's essence. "Shape" borrows influence from tropical house and contemporary R&B while "Castle" merges folk rock and pop. The album housing these singles '÷' (Divide), continues Ed's use of basic mathematical operations as album titles. Ed Sheeran season is here.
5) SZA - CTRL (1st Quarter of 2017)
TDE's first lady, SZA has been on the bench so long it's been frustrating for both her fans and the singer herself - even to the point of threatening retirement. Her last project was her 2014 EP 'Z', so when the LQ version of the Travis Scott assisted "Love Galore" - which she played at a recent intimate show - surfaced online, it only fed the hype for a new SZA project. Great news, SZA's long awaited debut album titled 'CTRL' is to be released in the first quarter of this year. The breezy first single "Drew Barrymore" is nothing short of beautiful. Definitely 'CTRL' is going to be a beautiful album.
TDE's first lady, SZA has been on the bench so long it's been frustrating for both her fans and the singer herself - even to the point of threatening retirement. Her last project was her 2014 EP 'Z', so when the LQ version of the Travis Scott assisted "Love Galore" - which she played at a recent intimate show - surfaced online, it only fed the hype for a new SZA project. Great news, SZA's long awaited debut album titled 'CTRL' is to be released in the first quarter of this year. The breezy first single "Drew Barrymore" is nothing short of beautiful. Definitely 'CTRL' is going to be a beautiful album.
6) Wizkid - Sounds from the Other Side (TBD)
Wizkid had the cheat code to 2016. Despite releasing one single in the whole year (two, if you count late 2015 single "Final (Baba Nla)"), he was everywhere, literally. From being featured and co-producing Drake's biggest single "One Dance" to going on tour with Chris Brown to dropping a madass hook on both versions of certified banger "Shabba" to another impressive feature on Tinnie Tempah's "Mamacita" to another feature on DJ Mariphosa's hit single "Soweto Baby" and winning multiple awards, 2016 was a banner year for Wizkid. He doesn't seem he's slowing down in 2017. Say what you will about the lyrics, "Daddy Yo" is painfully catchy with an eye candy for a video. A new collaboration with Drake "Hush Up the Silence" leaked recently. Wizkid has promised the release of a new project 'Sounds from the Other Side" to be released soon and three new mixtapes further in the year. It seems like full throttle is the only speed Wizkid is going this year, strap your seatbelts on.
Wizkid had the cheat code to 2016. Despite releasing one single in the whole year (two, if you count late 2015 single "Final (Baba Nla)"), he was everywhere, literally. From being featured and co-producing Drake's biggest single "One Dance" to going on tour with Chris Brown to dropping a madass hook on both versions of certified banger "Shabba" to another impressive feature on Tinnie Tempah's "Mamacita" to another feature on DJ Mariphosa's hit single "Soweto Baby" and winning multiple awards, 2016 was a banner year for Wizkid. He doesn't seem he's slowing down in 2017. Say what you will about the lyrics, "Daddy Yo" is painfully catchy with an eye candy for a video. A new collaboration with Drake "Hush Up the Silence" leaked recently. Wizkid has promised the release of a new project 'Sounds from the Other Side" to be released soon and three new mixtapes further in the year. It seems like full throttle is the only speed Wizkid is going this year, strap your seatbelts on.
7) Lil Wayne - Tha Cater V [or anything actually inspiring] (TBD)
Lil Wayne's feature on the intro to DJ Drama's 'Quality Street Music 2' was amazing. It had Wayne rapping with a fire that had been missing in his voice in recent releases. His feature on Solange's "Mad" was also holy shit worthy. Word gathered from the interweb and according to Mack Maine there are three solo projects being planned - 'Funeral', 'Velvet' and 'Dedication 6' and a joint project with Gudda Gudda and Hoodybaby titled 'L.A.T'. If the spark that lit up the fire on the aforementioned features is on the project(s), we're in for a fantastic treat. Birdman recently stated that 'Carter V' will come out soon, it would be unwise to trust him due to the unsettled issues between him and Wayne. But, hope doesn't hurt, right?
Lil Wayne's feature on the intro to DJ Drama's 'Quality Street Music 2' was amazing. It had Wayne rapping with a fire that had been missing in his voice in recent releases. His feature on Solange's "Mad" was also holy shit worthy. Word gathered from the interweb and according to Mack Maine there are three solo projects being planned - 'Funeral', 'Velvet' and 'Dedication 6' and a joint project with Gudda Gudda and Hoodybaby titled 'L.A.T'. If the spark that lit up the fire on the aforementioned features is on the project(s), we're in for a fantastic treat. Birdman recently stated that 'Carter V' will come out soon, it would be unwise to trust him due to the unsettled issues between him and Wayne. But, hope doesn't hurt, right?
8) Eminem - TBD
Eminem loves controversy and he can rap. His "Campaign freestyle" video released late last year was a reminder of both fact. In the tweet accompanying the video's release, Slim Shady revealed he was working on a new album. It's about time, considering all the stuff that has happened in recent months, he'll definitely have a lot to say and clown about. The album probably won't be out for another couple of months, but it's worth anticipating. The rap god blessing us from his high throne, we await.
9) Beck - TBD
After surprisingly winning album of the year at the 2015 Grammys for his somberly beautiful 'Morning Phase' album, Beck has been relatively quiet. He's released two singles "Dreams" and "Wow" in mid-2015 and mid-2016 respectively. Both songs produced by Greg Kurstin are different musically from anything on his last album. "Dreams" is laced with funk and party rock and "Wow" features trap drums and Beck on his type of rap swag which recalls his 1996 masterpiece 'Odelay'. Although the new album which was initially scheduled for an October 2016 release, hopefully it should drop sometime in 2017.
10) Asa - TBD
Nigeria's biggest music export (not named Kuti or Ade) has three stellar albums in her discography. So when she tweeted the above picture late last year, fans were already salivating. Her beautiful voice, remarkable songwriting and eclectic mix of folk, Afro-Soul & Afro-Pop makes her albums always worth the wait. Hopefully the picture above means she's working on album that will be released this year.
Nigeria's biggest music export (not named Kuti or Ade) has three stellar albums in her discography. So when she tweeted the above picture late last year, fans were already salivating. Her beautiful voice, remarkable songwriting and eclectic mix of folk, Afro-Soul & Afro-Pop makes her albums always worth the wait. Hopefully the picture above means she's working on album that will be released this year.
11) Lorde - TBD
2013 was the year Kiwi Singer-Songwriter broke out, with her 'Pure Heroine' album and smash hit, grammy winning single "Royals". She was only 17 then (feel old?). The album featured her own brand of teen-pop, filled honest outsider views. After being majorly featured on the soundtrack for 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' in 2014, she's been quiet in terms of new music. But after tweeting this and dropping that on Facebook,
there's definitely new music on the horizon. Excited? I am, you should.
Words by Dennis (@ayo_dennis)
2013 was the year Kiwi Singer-Songwriter broke out, with her 'Pure Heroine' album and smash hit, grammy winning single "Royals". She was only 17 then (feel old?). The album featured her own brand of teen-pop, filled honest outsider views. After being majorly featured on the soundtrack for 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' in 2014, she's been quiet in terms of new music. But after tweeting this and dropping that on Facebook,
there's definitely new music on the horizon. Excited? I am, you should.
Words by Dennis (@ayo_dennis)
Comments
Post a Comment