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2015 was the year of albums in Nigeria, with 29 albums so far.
While the most obvious subject of discussion and concern is the music. We see past that, taking a holistic view of the product.
There was a time when album artwork was considered almost as important as the album itself. From Olamide’s iconic cover to “Baddest Guy Ever Liveth”, to Banky W’s sleek look on “R&BW”, we’ve celebrated design, both great and awful, beautiful and ugly, thoughtful and nonsensical.
Behind every great album is great artwork. The design of an album’s cover is a crucial aspect of the album itself. Although it might seem that an album is all about the music, the artwork is the face of the album, which means that it’s the thing that gives potential listeners their first impressions. Your album’s first impression is central to its success.
There is one overriding purpose for album artwork: to attract listeners to your music.
Below are the 10 worst album covers of 2015.
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The Worst Album Covers of 2015
1. Skales – “Man Of Year”
Now how is this an album art for a debut album, with such an over-ambitious title. Red cup, corny look, poor representation. ‘Whack of the year; is an appropriate title for this.’
2. Yemi Sax – “J.A.L.T.O.S”
Creativity went missing on this cover, as the Sax Man found a way to create something to inspire nothing. That in itself is a talent.
3. Iyanya – “Applaudise”
As prosaic album covers go, this sits on the list as the only one which features no creative direction. There was no effort on this. Just a mischievous look on Iyanya’s face, and some photoshop. Where did it all go wrong for the ‘Kukere’ master? We would have accepted something which shows him shirtless, and with a title, “Mr Oreo.”
4. Naeto C – “Festival”
This singer gave us joy with his first album, and now he serves the reverse on this one. A traditional feel was the direction for this art, but the separation and execution leaves more to be desired.
5. Wande Coal – “Wanted”
Wande Coal’s ‘wanted’ album coverWande went the extra mile to create the look of a Wild West outlaw. That look failed.
6. MC Galaxy – “Breakthrough”
Someone took this hustler’s idea, and dream and ran South with it. This is the deal breaker.
7. Joe EL – “Timeless”
‘Timeless’ album art(Press)
“Timeless” album showed a creative flaw by being too similar to Sunny Neji’s 2012 ‘Timeless’ album. Even the album art looks like a modern version of its predecessor. There is also no mention of creative inspiration from Sunny Neji. This is simply cover plagiarism.
8. Olamide – “Eyan Mayweather”
Album cover of Olamide’s fifth album, Eyan Mayweather. (YBNL )
This was meant to be symbolic and exquisite. They put in time into the work, and the effort comes right at you. But execution was skewed, and the end product is without a prayer.
9. Darey – “Naked”
Darey’s “Naked” album coverWhen people screamed that Darey had posed naked for a shot on this album, many were gladdened with the captivating imagery that it promised. But that was not to be. The singer chose this. He chose this cliche.
10. Olamide, Phyno – “2 Kings”
The King of the West aligned with the Eastern Ruler on a symbolic album to mark time, and someone in both teams decided to go with this. How shameful.
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