Some of Afropop’s most defining musical statements have come in deceptively small packages. Across the last decade, the EP format has given artists a compact space to experiment and capture pivotal moments in their careers without the weight of a full-length album. 

From career-launching debuts to impressive collaborative projects, these are 15 of the best Afropop EPs from the last 10 years. 

‘Last Daze of Summer’ – Maleek Berry – September 2016

When it was released in September 2016, Maleek Berry’s ‘Last Daze Of Summer’ marked a giant leap for African music, settling on a fluid blend of African rhythms and Western-facing sonic styles in a way that would come to be a critical part of the genre’s evolution just five years down the line. It wasn’t innovation for novelty’s sake, though; on songs like “Kontrol,” “Let Me Know,” and “Eko Miami,” Maleek Berry proved he could stand with the smoothest of Afropop’s operators. – Wale Oloworekende. 

‘Chemistry’– Falz & Simi – October 2016

A decade ago, Simi and Falz struck gold with their undeniable sonic chemistry, which began with the success of their 2015 single, “Soldier.” Falz’s faux-Yoruba accent and comic, Hip-Hop-inflected lyrics fused seamlessly with Simi’s alluring, silky vocals, creating a project so convincing that their collaboration quickly evolved from praise for their talent into dating rumours. – Michelle Ejiro.

‘WAR’ – Odunsi The Engine & Nonso Amadi – April 2017

Early on in his career, Odunsi The Engine had a clear affinity for R&B; from his cover of Donell Jones’ “This Luv” to his breakthrough single “Desire,” the genre played a defining role in shaping his early musical identity. So it made perfect sense that he teamed up with Nonso Amadi for this breezy four-track EP in 2017, a near-perfect project that feels like a time capsule for the burgeoning alternative R&B scene of the late 2010s. – Boluwatife Adeyemi.

‘Make E No Cause Fight’ – Boj and Ajebutter22 – May 2018

For years preceding the release of ‘Make E No Cause Fight,’ Boj and Ajebutter22 had struck a partnership that just worked, blending distinct parts of their worldviews for songs that ruminated on everything between the modern manifestation of romance and 21st-century living. The release of ‘Make E No Cause Fight’ turned those disparate dispatches into a well-honed statement on tracks like “24” and “Yawa,” while “Tungba” continues to be a cult classic from 2018. – W.O.

‘SoundMan Vol. 1’ – StarBoy ft. Wizkid – December 2019

Arriving out of the blues in late 2019, this seven-track sampler is the blueprint for the lush, mid-tempo space Wizkid later perfected on ‘Made in Lagos.’ Working as a chill curator, Wizkid recedes slightly into the background, casually letting room to producers like Kel-P and guests like Black Jerzee and Chronixx to stretch out across breezy Reggae and Afropop rhythms. With songs like “Blow”, “Jam” and “Ease Your Mind,” there’s barely a wasted moment on this EP. – Melony Akpoghene.

‘Get Layd’ – Omah Lay – May 2020

The fact that a riveting project like ‘Get Layd’ was Omah Lay’s debut body of work speaks to the depth of his craft. Shaped by the lingua, lore, and doggedness that comes with growing up on the rugged streets of Port Harcourt, his voice carried a conspicuous softness that refused to be defined by the city’s hardness. He sang tenderly about guns and violence on “Damn,” touched on drug abuse and addiction on “Bad Influence,” while singing about sex and desire through unabashedly explicit lyrics on “Ye ye ye.” – M.E.

‘For Broken Ears’ – Tems – September 2020

Tems’ debut project ‘For Broken Ears’ feels like one of the clearest windows into what makes her music so distinct. Released in 2020, the seven-tracker introduced us to Tems in her most unfiltered form, moving through love, uncertainty and intimacy. The tracks on the album carried that raw feeling that made the project stand out in the first place. It is a snapshot of Tems before the massive growth of superstardom. – Samuel Iroanya.

‘LUV N ATTN’ – Lojay & Sarz – June 2021

‘LUV N ATTN’  captures Afropop’s supremacy as a genre, thanks to Sarz’s nifty production skills and ability to see beyond the present. Lojay was initially gunning for one song with Sarz, but he insisted on making a project that would go on to earn Lojay his biggest song, “Monalisa,” and a collaboration with Wizkid on the title track. Across all five tracks that make up the EP, including the sultry “Tonongo” and “Panty,” Lojay maintained a striking writing prowess and established himself as a solid singer. – M.E.

‘SWEETNESS’ – Sarz & Obongjayar – July 2021

Sarz has an extensive history of strong collaborations, but this 2021 four-track offering is up there with the best. A follow-up to Obongjayar’s impressive debut album, the pair find an intriguing middle ground between retro R&B, Funk, and Afropop here, delivering evergreen cuts like the lead single “Gone Girl” and “If You Say.” – B.A.

‘Water & Garri’ – Tiwa Savage – August 2021

“Water & Garri” served as a venue for Tiwa Savage to fully lean into her R&B and Soul roots while weaving in modern Afro-fusion elements. At its core, the EP navigates her journey through hope and desire, and the project finds her finally centred on the genre that best defines her artistry. Released in 2021, the EP is a great addition to Tiwa’s impressive discography, a deliberate shift from the high-energy Afropop style that characterised her earlier persona. – S.I.

‘Outlaw’ – Victony – May 2022

For a project that came out at a defining point in Victony’s career, “Outlaw” feels like a reflection of Victony finding himself out in real time. Released in 2022, Victony leans into his freedom, letting the project show his range and versatility; it also showcases his witty lyricism that colours his perspective. Songs like “Apollo,” “Kolomental” and “Soweto” capture how he moves between different sounds, whilst leaving room for his introspective side to seep through. – S.I.

‘Anger Management’ – Bloody Civilian – June 2023

Perhaps the best way to describe Bloody Civilian’s debut project, ‘Anger Management,’ is to compare it to a crash landing. At several turns on the screeching, maximal six-tracker, the singer is raging, reaching deep into herself to appropriately evoke her discontent at self, family, men, her home country, and the world around her. Still, she doesn’t let that anger overwhelm her message, as the surrealist fantasies of “Escapism” prove. – W.O.

‘Planet Pluto’ – Shallipopi – July 2023

If Shallipopi’s hit single “Elon Musk” put him on the map, his debut EP, ‘Planet Pluto’ showed there was much more to his appeal than a viral hit. Anchored by infectious tracks like “Ex Convict” and “Obapluto,” the EP established the bouncy, streetwise sound and eccentric charm that would help him go on to become one of Afropop’s most recognisable voices. – B.A.

‘Ravage’ – Rema – October 2023

‘Ravage’ was the ramp-up before the storm that was ‘HEIS.’ It was Rema’s introduction to the more thrilling corners of Afropop he would later lead us deep into. Across five tracks, the Rave Lorde peels back the heartthrob veneer that defined much of his early career, stepping into a brasher, more quick-witted alter-ego. He talks slick over dense bass, switching between clipped boasts and nimble vocal runs without letting the energy drop at any moment. – M.A.

‘NAHAMciaga’ – Seyi Vibez – December 2023

‘NAHAMciaga’ caught Seyi Vibez at one of the most interesting points in his career. He was settling into his new place in the mainstream after the huge run of his previous releases. This five-track EP consolidated that breakthrough, digging further into the indigenous influences running through his music while staying attuned to the demands of his newfound mainstream reach. – M.A.