{"product_id":"various-artists-nigeria-80","title":"Various Artists - Nigeria 80","description":"\u003cp\u003eExpected Release 11th September 2026\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStrut presents Nigeria 80, the next essential chapter in the legendary Nigeria 70 series, diving deep into the explosive sound world of 1980s Nigeria.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing the global impact of 2001's Nigeria 70, which helped introduce rare Nigerian recordings to international audiences, Nigeria 80 continues the journey, unearthing a rich, restless, and wildly creative decade of music from Lagos to Enugu. Despite economic instability and restrictive political conditions in the 1980s, Nigeria’s music industry flourished, driven by a growing network of independent labels such as Tabansi and Phonodisk, which championed local artists and expanded creative freedom. The 1980s also marked a significant rise in visibility for female artists, with trailblazers like Onyeka Onwenu helping to reshape the landscape and open doors for a new generation of performers, writers, and producers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNigeria 80 showcases the extraordinary breadth of this era, with all tracks reissued here for the first time. The compilation brings together essential recordings from across Nigeria’s musical spectrum: highlife greats Victor Uwaifo and Nico Mbarga appear alongside Paulson Kalu, whose personal favourite “Akugbue Nwa Ewu” stands out as a prime example of the style. Prince David Bul’s “Soko Soko” (later reinterpreted in Starboy’s Afrobeats hit “Soco”) features as a key touchpoint between eras. Segun Adewale delivers a driving juju workout, while Lekan Animashaun, longtime bandleader of Africa 70, contributes a late-era Afrobeat classic produced in collaboration with Fela Kuti.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe compilation also highlights more experimental and hybrid sounds, from I.C. Rock’s proto–hip hop gem “Advice” to Evi-Edna Ogholi’s self-produced reggae statement “The World”. The set closes with “Apama” by Ibealaoke Chukwukeziri, the “Apama Boy” from Achi in eastern Nigeria, featuring hypnotic vocals and percussion from his Anaedeonu band.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNigeria 80 is available as a 2LP housed in a gatefold sleeve or CD digipak, which includes a 16-page booklet with artist photos and liner notes by Francis Gooding. Compiled by Duncan Brooker. Audio restoration by See Why Audio. Mastered by The Carvery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDinked Edition 429\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e● Inksplosion coloured 2LP (one red \u0026amp; white, one black \u0026amp; white)\u003cbr\u003e● A2 folded poster\u003cbr\u003e● Gatefold sleeve featuring extensive liner notes\u003cbr\u003e● Limited pressing of 400\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Various Artists","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46182344982714,"sku":"STRUT344CD","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"2LP","offer_id":46182345015482,"sku":"STRUT344LP","price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dinked Edition 2LP","offer_id":46182345048250,"sku":"STRUT344LPD","price":34.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0535\/1453\/5098\/files\/N80_3000.jpg?v=1784639048","url":"https:\/\/www.sound-knowledge.co.uk\/products\/various-artists-nigeria-80","provider":"Sound Knowledge","version":"1.0","type":"link"}