Amid the usual buzz and attendant hype, most of these albums were released into the market with huge expectations. But they failed to make the mark commercially due to factors ranging from ineffective promotions, marketing and distribution lapses or just by pure fate. AHMED BOULOR writes.
Jhybo: Bee Na Ni
AT the time he veered into the music scene, Jibola Toriola, a.k.a Jhybo, was touted in some quarters as the new Dagrin but he would rather be seen as a rapper who is out to carve his desired niche.
His well promoted single “Run Their Mouth” got him so many converts and fans alike at the time it hit the airwaves and he shot a befitting video which also helped the popularity of the smashing single.
As a follow up, Jhybo dropped his debut album titled Bee Na Ni to the delight of his fans but the album turned out to be a one-track hit. But sadly, Jhybo’s well promoted “Run Their Mouth” single did not affect the positive sale of his album as it turned out to be a commercial failure.
CAPITAL F.E.M.I: The Year of R’n’B
R&B crooner Femi Adeyinka better known in music circles as CAPITAL FEMI took a gamble when he left the United States of America to pursue a career in music here in Nigeria.
His gamble seemed to pay off as his career received the needed boost and recognition in the highly competitive music scene. The endearing vocalist also got honour when in 2011 he emerged winner in the Best Vocal Performance Male category at the Headies.
That award set the tone for the release of his first album titled The Year of R’n’B in 2012.The lengthy 17-track album is indeed a collector’s item; with love ballads such as “Get Low”, “Never Felt A Love”, “If” and commercial track “Am Just Saying” featuring Jaywon and Saucekid.
But one begins to wonder why CAPITAL FEMI failed to get the deserved credit by having a commercially successful album. That brings us to the opinion of a few veterans who have summed up that good music is losing its value in this generation of ours.
Faze: Refazed
EX-Plantaishun Boiz member, Chibuzor Orji, has spawned 6 number 1 hits and 12 chart top 20 songs through his career as a solo artiste as well as 10 number 1 videos. He is also one of the biggest selling artistes of all time and he is the first artiste to ever have his first three albums going platinum.
But his fourth album Refazed has failed to make the much-needed impact since it was released in the last quarter of 2012. The album boasts of songs like “My Girl” featuring Vector, “Nkem”, and “In The Mood” and the mentioned songs also had accompanying videos and many expected his fourth effort to be a hit as usual.
The 17-track collection laced with intelligent lyrics, piercing but endearing vocals and quality beats was waxed with the intention of re-establishing Faze on the music scene, but the album ironically failed to do well commercially.
Brymo: The Son of a Carpenter
Brymo sent tongues wagging with his hook on Iceprince’s hit single ‘Oleku’ and many touted him as the next best thing on the scene. The husky vocalist signed onto the stable of Chocolate City’s also had a good 2012 with the success of his debut singles such as “Ara”, “Good Morning” and “Go Hard” and that set the tone for the release of his first album.
Everyone craved for Brymo’s debut collection titled Son of a Carpenter and when it hit music shelves, its release went unnoticed. The buzz that greeted Brymo’s album didn’t match the hype that heralded the debut albums of his label mates, M.I and Iceprince.
That in itself could be one of the reasons why the album turned out to be a commercial blunder. M.I’s debut titled Talk About It was a commercial success, so was Iceprince’s Everybody Loves Iceprince.
It is obvious Chocolate City got it wrong with Brymo, and his debut collection which turned out to be a distinct compilation of soothing vocals, beats and lyrics is turning out to be a sheer waste of talent and effort.
Sound Sultan: Me, My Mouth and Eye
In a year that was he supposed to celebrate 12 years on the music scene, Sound Sultan chose to test music waters with a brand new album. But the album titled Me, Myself and Eye appears not to be as appealing to many as his other albums such as SS4, The Textbook and Back From The Future.
No doubt, Sound Sultan is one of the most talented artistes on the scene today but his current album leaves much to be desired. Perhaps, he was hoping to follow up on the success of his single “People Bad” featuring the veteran Wyclef. But the album which houses 12 tracks failed to make it commercially.
Reminisce: Book of Rap Stories
Reminisce wowed many with his debut single “Kako Bii Chicken” which turned out to be a DJ’s delight when it was released. But his album titled Book of Rap Stories turned out a flop commercially.
Not even the collaborations he had with Ruggedman and his long-time friend Jahbless could help album sales. Things didn’t turn out as expected and it’s so sad for the burgeoning artiste who must have put in so much into the album.
The experience may have come handy though as Reminisce has sure learnt a few tricks about the workings of the Nigerian music market which will positively rub off on his sophomore album.
D’Prince: Frenzy
Mavin Records signee, D’Prince attempts to flatter to deceive on his debut album dubbed Frenzy. The 25-track album is laden with songs with heavy beats and low message and that did not come as a surprise to those who have been following the artiste.
Though some songs on the album may pass for nice tunes due to the vocal inputs of Wande Coal and Tiwa Savage, Frenzy leaves much to be desired from D’Prince.
The appearance of Wizkid also did not help matters for the flashy album which turned out to be a commercial flop. But the only positive to take home is the fact that Frenzy provides a healthy dose of club bangers which the average Nigerian music listener is crazy about.
Ruggedman Collaboration album: Money Making Music
It must be said that this album was really well packaged and his collaboration with his new signing Mbryo on the song “Ruggedy Baba Pt. 2” is quite commendable but the veteran did not follow previous trends.
The album was released on the music download website Spinlet which did not affect sales. The album which has 11 tracks was virtually not noticed when it was released and the buzz surrounding its launch into the music market was virtually non-existent.
But the album could be salvaged commercially only if Ruggedman shoots a few more videos which may afford more visibility to the rapper who is gradually winning back more fans, especially with his monster hit “Push” featuring Terry G.
eLDee: Undeniable
THE fact that eLdee didn’t conform to the prevailing norm on the music scene meant that his album titled Undeniable was not going to make it commercially. The C.E.O of Trybe 2.O Records, a veteran who has been on the scene since 1998 should know that his failure to digress will negatively impact on the sales of his latest album.
He should have borrowed a leaf from his fellow veteran, 2face Idibia, who gives the Nigerian audience what they want while also dishing out songs that define him as an artiste in his many collections.
eLDee’s album was undeniably a good one as he variously featured his label signee Sojay, K9 and EME’s cash cow, Wizkid. He stuck to his definition of delivering good music with matured lyrics, swaying beats and smooth delivery.
The album features popular wedding anthem “Today Today” and the street credible track titled “Wash Wash” which both failed to improve album sales.
