About two years ago, an embattled Seyi Shay came on twitter to ask an oafish, now immortal question: “Who EP epp sef?” Guess who released an EP in 2018—an impressive one at that. Like we did at the midpoint of the year, here are the best 10 EPs that came during the course of 2018.
10. AYÜÜ “Mango Juice & Bad Decisions”
Release Date: Oct. 2, 2018
If Nostalgia is one hell of a drug, as popular hip-hop critic Justin Hunte often says, AYÜÜ delivered Nigerian music’s most potent dose of this sensation with his latest, and best EP yet, Mango Juice & Bad Decisions. Depending on borrowed lines from noticeable hit songs from years past, in transitory but impactful doses, AYÜÜ’s use of nostalgia is the type of novelty move many artists aim at but ultimately bungle, and he does it effectively in eleven short minutes. As the title implies, MJBD deals with activities that are best spoken about in hushed in tones, set to music that is often jolly, extremely saucy, and always irresistible. Take a swig, and you’ll find it hard to not keep drinking.
9. Seyi Shay “Electric Package”
Release Date: May 29, 2018
They say mistakes don’t define people, it’s how they react and bounce back that should ultimately matter. Seyi Shay made her own fair share of mistakes, very publicly too. 2018 proved to be the singer’s year of resurgence, including hosting the biggest music award show in the country, a movie role, and of primary concern here, a new EP that served as a strong return to form. Electric Package, titled after her very memorable blunder during her run of L’s, heavily leans on Seyi’s stronger pop sensibilities, casting her as a more reinvigorated artist in the process. With bright production to boot, EP is a triumphant return with Seyi Shay at its center, the loaded list of guest artists and DJs only bolsters her comeback.
8. Ycee x Bella “Late Night Vibrations”
Release Date: Feb. 1, 2018
Bella Alubo and YCee were both known for being rappers during the early days of their careers. With Late Night Vibrations, a joint EP released while both artists were signed to Tinny Entertainment, the two set out to stamp their singing credentials, not only on digital platforms alone but for radio airwaves too. Late Night Vibrations leans towards pop and in some occasions, contemporary RnB sounds. Bella and YCee’s singing are both legitimized by LNV, although YCee’s singing has the tendency to be unsettling on a few negligible occasions. By unashamedly borrowing sounds from some recognized hits, Late Night Vibrations manages to recreate the sensations felt while listening to those hits at the time of their release. — Notiki
7. Soul “Ecstasy, Just Chill”
Release Date: Mar. 22, 2018
If relationships are bound to end up miserably, why even try? WeTalkSound affiliate Soul doesn’t have the answers, but the collection of songs on his splendid EP Ecstasy, Just Chill is quite the representation of this messy cycle. Heavy on wallowing and gorgeously wrapped in maudlin, Soul combines the honeyed stage of dotting on crushes and feelings of unrequited love with the vinegar of soured entanglements. It’s all chopped and rolled into a thick, blunted and fully expressive lo-fi haze. Regardless of when you’re listening, Ecstasy sets the mood for when skies are grey and shadows are invisible; a set so intimate that the listener isn’t just in the same room as Soul, there’s a déjà vu effect waiting at every corner.
6. IMTJ “Trap & Poetry”
Release Date: Apr. 15, 2018
What will a blend of Travis Scott and Mick Jenkins sound like? Abuja-based rapper IMTJ, a big fan of these stylistically divergent rappers, is a very strong answer. With a clear preference for murky but glistening, slap-heavy trap production, IMTJ attacks each beat with thoroughly filed lyrical fangs on his gobstopping debut EP Trap & Poetry. Throughout the quick but gripping tape, IMTJ weaves around with the magnetic flair of Travis Scott, and his verses are densely constructed, filled to the brim with quotables, in the frame of his other influence Mick Jenkins. Front, left and center of Trap & Poetry, IMTJ repeatedly tells us he’s something special, and by showing us his workings, he only confirms it in emphatic terms.
5. Mobelieve “Ariwo Eko”
Release Date: August 22, 2018
Showcasing an artist with a remarkable pen, a great understanding of his puffy, viscous voice, and strong musical selection, mostly from go-to producer Olumba Lo Shey Beat, Mobelieve’s debut EP Ariwo Eko makes for an impressive first-person account of what it is to live in the city of Lagos. Within seven songs and a gripping spoken word intro, Mobelieve untangles the noise of the megacity and presents a colorful audio documentary featuring camaraderie and contemplation. At every turn, there’s a detail waiting to catch your ear, be it the mouth-watering imagery on “Jolly Jolly,” or the thought-provoking, intersecting portrayal of the lives of a small but representative group of people on “Poverty.” Altogether, Mobelieve balances the need to be compelling and fun with very little labor on Ariwo Eko.
4. Yinka Bernie “Façades”
Release Date: Apr. 20, 2018
Yinka Bernie is a producer and an artist with his own eclectic approach to making music. He brings all of this expertise to bear on his gravely short but Uber-satisfying EP, Façades. Rounding out at just over 10 minutes, Façades is spruced off of every possible noise that could have affected the quality of the project. Bernie allows all of his influences converge on Façades and the result is not a disconcerting one, but one worthy of applause. Façades is heavily reliant on synths and wavy drums, especially on “Again.” The project features outside, stellar contributions via the sensuous soul of Amaarae, a breezy verse from Idris King, some of it delivered in French, and a typically strong outing from Soul fusionist AYLØ. Façades is a strong EP, one that’s fit for swaying gentle and/or pure cruise. — Notiki
3. Ajebutter22 x BOJ “Make E No Cause Fight”
Release Date: May 18, 2018
An Ajebutter22 and BOJ combo is probably the most reliable pairing of this decade, and their long overdue EP Make E No Cause Fight is a delightful middle finger at those who claim that familiarity breeds contempt. A second attempt at redemption, following label woes and a serviceable but slightly disappointing debut album, BOJ struts his fuzzy, baritone vocals with comfort and conviction on MENCF. While Ajebutter22, whose improvement has been a joy to listen to via What Happens In Lagos, one of 2017’s best albums, continues to creatively blur the line between silly and funny while remaining grounded and relatable. The pre-released “Yawa” remains a treasured gem, while the slow-burning “Tungba” and playful “24” are also very strong selections.
2. Eri Ife x Remy Baggins “YLLW”
Release Date: May 18, 2018
The combination of Eri Ife and Remy Baggins is a match made in music heaven. The duo brings their refreshing voices, filled with love, passion and respect for each other’s craft, combining in ways that complement one another, as well as show off the strides they’ve made since previous solo offerings. YLLW, the resulting project, is one of those rare cases where the symbiosis sounds a million times better than it reads on paper, a testament to their glorious synergy. The production is bright and full, matched by the boundless energy and infectious enthusiasm of both artists. No track better embodies the humility and focus that keeps both artists poised for success as much as “Bori Pe”, and the peak of their confidence in their abilities is spread all over the final, title track. The project is titled YLLW, but all it really offers is gold. – Tonton
1. Funbi “Serenade”
Release Date: November 4, 2018
One of two salient takeaways from Funbi’s long overdue debut EP, Serenade, is that it reinforces the notion of holding close to your girlfriends and wives while at a Funbi show/live performance, or even listening to his music together for that matter. The other point, of primary importance, though, is that Funbi made a project worth all the hype he’s gone on to accumulate based off a few singles and impressive guest appearances. Save for the gorgeously vindictive “I Want It Back,” a bonus, self-defining outtake that initially appeared and noticeably fits better on The Collectiv3’s Live. Create. Repeat., Serenade basks in the pure, untainted perception of love, a theme that’s apt for Funbi’s elegant, blue-eyed tenor and his pen’s penchant for flooring, sweet nothings. Set to slightly varied, mostly groovy and always sophisticated music, Serenade makes for a perfect score to weddings and other equivalent, intimate events. Funbi exquisitely brought love back in 2018, that’s more than enough reason for Serenade to be the best EP of the year.