Connect with us

Entertainment

The 50 best albums of 2020

Well, what a year it’s been. I’ve been recycling that line – nicked and repurposed from chatty man Alan Carr – since prehistoric times, but of course the words take on a different hue in 2020. Would it be a stretch to say that music has been the only consistently good thing since March? Perhaps it would be unfair. With absolute sensitivity towards those who have suffered the worst of Covid-19, there have been shards of light throughout this bleak year. I don’t know about you, but I have found people to be kinder, to have a greater sense of perspective, to value one another more. Let’s hope we carry that generosity into the dawn of 2021.

And, yes, the music’s been banging too. There have been surprise albums, lockdown albums, politicised albums, divisive albums, unifying albums – and everything in between. Here are 50 of the best, in the categorically and objectively correct order.

Jordan Bassett, Commissioning Editor (Music)

\"nme

Words: Carl Anka, Elizabeth Aubrey, Dhruva Balram, Jordan Bassett, Mark Beaumont, Rhian Daly, Georgia Evans, El Hunt, Charlotte Krol, Ben Jolley, Damian Jones, Ilana Kaplan, Natty Kasambala, Dannii Leivers, Sam Moore, Hannah Mylrea, Matthew Neale, Caitlin O’Reilly, Kevin EG Perry, Stephanie Phillips, Nick Reilly, Will Richards, Gary Ryan, Ali Shutler, Tom Skinner, Thomas Smith, Andrew Trendell, Jenessa Williams, Kyann-Sian Williams, Sophie Williams

\"NME

50. Rico Nasty, ‘Nightmare Vacation’

In a nutshell: Experimental rapper comes good with her wildly eclectic, boundary-busting debut

An inspiration to many of today’s viral stars, Maryland’s Rico Nasty has always had a more polarising sound than that of her counterparts. After five mixtapes full of the experimental rap style she’s coined ‘sugar trap’, her highly anticipated debut album ‘Nightmare Vacation’ proved just how much of a musical chameleon and trendsetter she is. She told NME, in our September cover feature, that that the record would be “Sugar Trap on steroids”, Sure enough, Rico’s debut was a deliciously eclectic, packed with her signature gruff, sparkly synths and bone-crushing 808s, pushing the boundaries for rap music. K-SW

Key track: ‘Smack A Bitch’

NME said: “A refreshingly liberating soundtrack for a year that has felt a little like the end of the world.”

Advertisement

Advertisement

Entertainment

AFRIMA President speaks on fostering collaboration within African music community as BridgeAfric launches in Malawi |

Latest entertainment gist

The President/Executive Producer, All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, Mike Dada, would be sharing his thought at the BridgeAfric’s Southern Africa launch in Malawi on March 23, 2024.

It is in continuation of promoting and showcasing African artistes, providing them with platforms to reach a global audience beyond their home countries,

BridgeAfric is a revolutionary initiative aimed at connecting African artistes and industry professionals across the continent led by the dynamic Victoria Nkong.

Also Read:

With the theme; importance of fostering collaboration within the African music community, Dada would be speaking on the significance of working together in promoting African music on a global scale.

In his statement, the AFRIMA President noted that there are potential for growth and success that come from uniting artistes, producers, and other stakeholders in the industry.

Dada, who lauded BridgAfric for its efforts in connecting Malawians artistes with industry professionals, helping them to build their careers and reach a wider audience, said he is committed to supporting initiatives like BridgAfric that empower African artists and promote the rich diversity of African music. He believes that by working together, they can create a more vibrant and inclusive music industry that celebrates the talent and creativity of artists from across the continent.

“This is very significant for the growth, development and promotion of the arts and music industry in Africa, especially when you look at it from the point of view of collaborations, the Malawi music industry and connecting to the center of the journey of the ongoing movements and the development of the African industry to the global audience,” Dada submitted.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Entertainment

South African billionaire commits suicide

Latest entertainment gist

A South African billionaire, Markus Jooste has committed suicide as he was found dead with a gunshot wound near Cape Town.

It was reported that the billionaire shot himself in the head while taking a walk just few minutes from his Stellenbosch home.

The former Steinhoff CEO had been involved in an accounting fraud scandal as he got a hefty fine on Wednesday.

Police are investigating, stating that no foul play is suspected.

“It is alleged that the victim sustained a gunshot wound at around 1520 (local time) at Kwaaiwater and succumbed to death on his way to hospital,” Western Cape police spokesperson Colonel Andre Traut said in a statement.

Jooste’s death comes after a fine from the Financial Sector Conduct Authority for false financial statements linked to Steinhoff’s near-collapse in 2017 due to accounting irregularities. 

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Entertainment

El-Rufai Speaks On Dumping APC For SDP

Latest entertainment gist

A former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has denied rumours of his planned defection of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

El-Rufai made an unexpected appearance at the SDP National Secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday.

The National Chairman of the SDP, Shehu Musa Gabam, and other chieftains of the party received the former Kaduna governor.

Reacting in a statement on Thursday issued by his spokesman, Muyiwa Adekeye, El-Rufai said he only visited the SDP headquarters to return a visit to the party’s chairman.

The former Minister said Gabam was among his friends who took part in the break of the Ramadan fast (Iftar) at his house in Abuja on Tuesday.

El-Rufai said he is known for being open and forthright, adding that his political decisions would not be subjected to speculation.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Most Popular

X

Copyright © 2022 Lifestyle Nigeria