The 'sophomore jinx' or ‘sophomore slump’ in music refers to a situation when a second (sophomore) album fails to live up to the standards set by the artiste's debut album. Most times, the pressure to match the success of their debut record, affects an artiste’s creativity thereby resulting in a sophomore slump. Other times, a seeming need to experiment and try new sounds causes artistes to abandon their winning formula, leading to a sophomore slump. While many artistes are affected by the sophomore jinx, some have no problem putting out impressive sophomore albums. Below is a list of ten Nigerian artistes who had great debut albums and followed them with sophomore albums that were just as good. This list is in no particular order. 

• With ‘Face 2 Face,’ 2baba (formerly known as 2face) created one of the blueprints of Afropop. The album produced timeless songs like ‘Ole’, ‘Nfana Mbaga’, and ‘African Queen,' one of Nigeria’s biggest crossover hits. The success of ‘Face 2 Face’ established 2baba as a successful solo act, while his sophomore album ‘Grass 2 Grace’ solidified his superstar status. ‘Grass 2 Grace’ produced multiple hits including ‘True Love’, ‘If Love Is A Crime’, and ‘4 Instance’ showcasing his versatility and lyrical prowess. 

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• M.I Abaga: ‘Talk About It’ by M.I Abaga is one of the best debut offerings by any Nigerian rapper. By creating anthems like ‘Anoti’ and ‘Crowd Mentality’, M.I Abaga struck a fine balance between lyricism and commercial appeal. He then employed this formula on his impressive sophomore album, M.I 2: The Movie to better success, producing a classic album with hits like ‘Action Film’ and ‘Number 1’. 

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• Asa: Asa’s eponymous debut album is a timeless classic that produced evergreen songs like ‘Jailer,' 'Bibanke,' and ‘Fire on the Mountain’. She followed it up with ‘Beautiful Imperfection,’ a near-perfect album with standout tracks like ‘Bamidele,’ ‘Baby Gone,’ and ‘Bimpe’.

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• Fireboy DML: In 2019, Fireboy DML took the daring step of releasing his debut album, Laughter, Tears & Goosebumps without guest features. The result of that was a dominant run that produced chart-topping singles like ‘Vibration,’ and ‘Scatter’. The album also won the award for ‘Best R&B Album’ at the 2020 Headies Awards. His sophomore album, ‘Apollo’ arrived less than a year after ‘Laughter, Tears & Goosebumps’. While LTG presented Fireboy DML as a loverboy at heart, ‘Apollo’ explored darker themes like the pains of unrequited love and the pressure of fame. 

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• Wizkid: Wizkid’s Superstar released in 2011 belongs in the upper echelon of classic Nigerian debut albums. An era-defining album, it produced hit songs like ‘Don’t Dull,’ ‘Holla At Your Boy,’ and ‘Pakurumo’. While his sophomore album ‘Ayo’ arrived six years later to mixed reviews, it has aged like fine wine. The crossover success of ‘Ojuelegba,’ a single off the album played a vital role in the ‘Afrobeats to the World’ movement.

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• Asake: Asake broke out in 2022 in what was one of the most iconic runs in Afrobeats history. Within a year of breaking out, he ended the year as the most streamed Nigerian act and had multiple No. 1 singles, as per TurnTable. He crowned his impressive run with the release of his debut album, ‘Mr. Money With The Vibe’ in November 2022. The album won the ‘Album of the Year’ award at the 2023 Headies Awards. Less than a year after in June 2023, his sophomore album ‘Work of Art’ was released. ‘Work of Art’ has enjoyed rave reviews from critics and is regarded as one of the best releases of 2023. ‘Lonely At The Top’, a single off the album is the joint longest-charting No.1 song on the Official Singles Chart in Nigeria.

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• Psquare: Psquare is arguably the most successful duo in Nigerian music history. They also have one of the most impressive catalogs of any Nigerian act. Their debut album ‘Last Nite’ which announced their arrival on the music scene, showcased their fusion of R&B and Hip-hop influences with Nigerian lingo. The album produced fan favourite ‘Senorita’ and dance number ‘Igbedu’. They built on the success of ‘Last Nite’ with their sophomore album ‘Get Squared,’ which produced ‘Bizzy Body,’ ‘Temptation,’ and ‘Say Your Love’

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• Olamide: Olamide is one of Nigeria’s most accomplished rappers, and he has a solid discography to show for it. While his debut album ‘Raspodi’ was a huge commercial success, it was a superb body of work that foreshadowed the unprecedented run that followed. His sophomore album, ‘YBNL’ is a classic Nigerian rap album that started a run that saw Olamide three-peat the Album of the Year award at the Headies.

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• Phyno: The cultural relevance of Phyno’s debut album ‘No Guts No Glory’ can hardly be overstated. The album produced hits like ‘Parcel,’ ‘Ghost Mode,’ ‘Alobam,’ and ‘Man of the Year (Obago)’; with the last two birthing new slang for the street. His sophomore album, ‘The Playmaker’ was a more commercial body of work, as Phyno tapped more into his singing elements. It produced smash hits like ‘Fada Fada’ and ‘Connect’. 

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• Adekunle Gold: Adekunle Gold was a breath of fresh air when he broke onto the Nigerian mainstream scene, with his brand of music that he termed ‘Urban Highlife’. His debut album ‘Gold’ is an alternative classic that spurned hits like ‘Orente’, and ‘Pick Up.’ He followed up ‘Gold’ with ‘About 30’ which was critically acclaimed despite not enjoying the same level of commercial success. ‘About 30’ is a brilliant body of work that explores themes like the burden of fame, divinity, and love.