Celebrating the top 200 albums from the 80’s, Fela’s iconic album, Coffin For Head Of State, made it onto the top 100, ranking at number 96; while Sade has two albums in the top 40 – Stronger Than Pride (37) and Diamond Life (10).
Every year, Pitchfork, one of the digital era’s most influential music sites, puts together a list that explores the music of a particular decade.
Why Fela’s Coffin for Head of State?
Around this time, Fela’s music went global, and his sound was appreciated around the world by every class. He created the Afrobeat genre which not only defined the African music industry but pointed out things that were displaced in the society.
According to Pitchfork, Fela’s 1981 musical composition, Coffin for Head of State, rims with substance. “The restrained anger of the disc’s opening instrumental side does not quite prepare the listener for the blistering crescendo it reaches in its second half.
Why Sade Adu’s albums?
It’s hard to find a sector of music today that hasn’t been influenced by Sade’s distinct sound (Sade is the name of Sade Adu’s band) as they played a huge part in successfully rejuvenating r&b.
Stronger than Pride was Sade’s first album produced by her. The album has been endlessly sampled by hip-hop artists, and it’s found its way to house DJs and producers across the globe.
Sade’s Diamond Life with an authentic jolt of jazz, soul, and contemporary R&B. The vast majority of these performers on the album were white, borrowing their sound from traditionally black music.
Verdict:
If we were to pick any Nigerian to be on the list, it will definitely be these 2 artists. For one, these singers paved the way for others to ride on. They captured the essence of music and put it into beats and word.
Other iconic ’80s albums to make the list include Prince and the Revolution’s Purple Rain, Michael Jackson’s Thriller, N.W.A’s Straight Outta Compton, Janet Jackson’s Control, Madonna’s Madonna, Run-D.M.C’s Raising Hell and many more.
Check the complete list here.
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