Applaudise
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Applaudise
| type = studio
| artist = Iyanya
| cover = Iyanya - Applaudise.png
| alt =
| released = 19 September 2015
| recorded = 2014–2015
| studio =
| genre =
| length = 72:00
| language = Swahili
| label = Made Men
| producer =
- Mystro
- London Boys
- DJ Coublon
- Princeton
- Selebobo
- Dr. Amir
- Spellz
- Tee-Y Mix
- Blaq Jerzee
- Mr. Chidoo
| prev_title = The Evolution
| prev_year = 2014
| next_title = Signature
| next_year = 2017
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Applaudise
| type = studio
| single1 = Mr Oreo
| single1date = 4 June 2014
| single2 = Gift
| single2date = 24 January 2015
| single3 = Nakupenda (I Love You)
| single3date = 19 February 2015
| single4 = Applaudise
| single4date = 19 April 2015
}}
}}
Applaudise is the third studio album by Nigerian singer and songwriter Iyanya. It was released on 19 September 2015 by Made Men Music Group. The album features guest appearances from Olamide, Lil Kesh, Victoria Kimani, Kcee, Sarkodie, Diamond Platnumz, Don Jazzy, Patoranking, Efya, Harrysong, MC Galaxy, Seyi Shay, Mystro, Banky W., Tekno and Selebobo. Production was handled by Mystro, London Boys, Blaq Jerzee, Mr. Chidoo, Dr. Amir, Selebobo, Princeton, Spellz, and DJ Coublon.{{cite news|author=Atisele, Kenneth|title=Applaudise! Iyanya releases album tracklist|url=https://thenet.ng/applaudise-iyanya-releases-album-tracklist/|work=Nigerian Entertainment Today|accessdate=25 August 2024|date=15 September 2015}}
Background and singles
According to Nigerian Entertainment Today, "Applaudise" means to be in a state of joy. The album's lead single "Mr Oreo", formerly titled "Mr Orio", was released commercially on iTunes on 4 June 2014. The song was originally on the Made Men Music Group collaborative album, "The Evolution (2014) and was produced, mixed, mastered and engineered by Selebobo.{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/mr-oreo-single/id908700450|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612232024/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/mr-oreo-single/id908700450|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 June 2015|title=Mr Oreo - Single by Iyanya|work=iTunes|date=4 June 2014|accessdate=25 August 2024}} The music video for "Mr Oreo" was released on 23 September 2014 and shot and directed by Mega Boi in Brooklyn, New York City.{{cite web|author=Okuchukwu, Griffin|title=VIDEO: Iyanya – 'Mr Oreo'|url=https://thenet.ng/video-iyanya-mr-oreo/|website=Nigerian Entertainment Today|accessdate=25 August 2024|date=23 September 2014}} The album's second single "Gift" features Nigerian singer, producer, songwriter and record executive Don Jazzy and was released unannounced on 24 January 2015. The music video for "Gift" was released on 6 March 2015 and shot in South Africa by an uncredited director.{{cite web|author=Ozone|title=VIDEO: Iyanya – ‘Gift’ feat. Don Jazzy|url=https://www.36ng.ng/2015/03/06/video-iyanya-gift-feat-don-jazzy/|website=36NG|accessdate=25 August 2024|date=6 March 2015}} The third single off Applaudise is "Nakupenda (I Love You)" and features Diamond Platnumz. The song was produced by Mr. Chidoo and released on 19 February 2015. "Nakupenda (I Love You)" was first leaked under the title "Nakupenda (Remember)" on 17 February 2015.{{cite web|author=Jonathan|title=Iyanya – 'Nakupenda (Remember)' ft. Diamond Platnumz|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/new-music-iyanya-nakupenda-remember-ft-diamond-platnumz/mvdq2ke|website=Pulse Nigeria|accessdate=25 August 2024|date=17 February 2015}} The music video for "Nakupenda (I Love You)" was directed by Patrick Elis on 1 June 2015.{{cite web|author=Oneill, Danielle|title=Iyanya And Diamond Platnumz Share The Video For 'Nakupenda'|url=https://www.okayafrica.com/iyanya-diamond-platnumz-nakupenda-video/|website=OkayAfrica|accessdate=25 August 2024|date=1 June 2015}} "Applaudise", the album's title track, is the fourth and final single off the album. It was produced by DJ Coublon and released on 19 April 2015.{{cite web|author=Jonathan|title=Iyanya - 'Applaudise'|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/new-music-iyanya-applaudise/34bfxxg/|website=Pulse Nigeria|accessdate=25 August 2024|date=20 April 2015}} The music video for "Applaudise" was released on 13 July 2015 and directed by Aje Filmworks.{{cite web|author=Oneill, Danielle|title=Iyanya Meets The Parents In The Visuals For 'Applaudise'|url=https://www.okayafrica.com/iyanya-applaudise-video/|website=OkayAfrica|accessdate=25 August 2024|date=13 July 2015}}
Critical reception
The album received mixed reviews from critics. Pulse Nigeria's Joey Akan's review of Applaudise praised the album for its fusion of traditional African sounds with contemporary pop, capturing the essence of joy and celebration. Akan noted that the album, while not aiming for timeless status, perfectly encapsulates the current state of Nigerian pop music, highlighting tracks like "Macoma" and "Okamfo" for their diverse influences. He concluded that the album is "made for the moment, for the money, and for the clubs," giving it a rating of 3/5.{{cite news|author=Akan, Joey|url=http://pulse.ng/reviews/pulse-album-review-iyanyas-applaudise-lp-is-worthy-of-applause-id4207673.html|title=Iyanya's "Applaudise" LP is worthy of applause|work=Pulse Nigeria|date=28 September 2015|access-date=16 January 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151203152311/http://pulse.ng/reviews/pulse-album-review-iyanyas-applaudise-lp-is-worthy-of-applause-id4207673.html|archive-date=3 December 2015|url-status=dead}} Wilfred Okiche of 360nobs reviewed Applaudise as a directionless album that prioritized danceable beats over substance, with guests and Iyanya himself delivering tepid performances. While praising songs like "Wambi" and "Macoma," he concluded, "For this record, Mr Mbuk gets no applause. Just knocks."{{cite web|author=Okiche, Wilfred|url=https://www.360nobs.com/2015/11/album-review-what-applause-iyanyas-applaudise-fails-to-connect/|title=MUSIC REVIEW: APPLAUDISE BY IYANYA|website=360nobs|date=16 November 2015|access-date=16 January 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211032524/https://www.360nobs.com/2015/11/album-review-what-applause-iyanyas-applaudise-fails-to-connect/|archive-date=11 February 2017|url-status=dead}} Oris Aigbokhaevbolo of Music in Africa’s review of Iyanya's Applaudise highlights the artist’s shift from R&B to a dance-focused sound, with tracks like "Macoma" praised for their production quality. According to Aigbokhaevbolo, "The album suffers from a lack of originality and coherence in lyrics," noting that while the production team excels, Iyanya’s vocal performance and lyrics fall short.{{cite magazine|author=Aigbokhaevbolo, Oris|title=Iyanya – Applaudise|url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/fr/node/14347|magazine=Music in Africa|accessdate=25 August 2024|date=3 November 2015}} A review from the duo from Should You Bump This, Sho and Tunde, states that the album is “watered down and poor,” criticizing the production quality and lyrical content throughout. According to the review, "The good songs have already been put out as singles," and they suggest that Iyanya “needs to go and hit that reset button.” The album receives a low rating of 1.5 out of 5, reflecting their overall disappointment.{{cite web|url=http://sybt.tv/2015/10/09/music-review-applaudise-by-iyanya/|title=MUSIC REVIEW: APPLAUDISE BY IYANYA|publisher=Should You Bump This|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228022914/http://sybt.tv/2015/10/09/music-review-applaudise-by-iyanya/|archive-date=28 December 2016|date=9 October 2015|access-date=25 August 2024}}
=Accolades=
Applaudise was nominated for Album of the Year at the 2016 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.{{cite web|author=In-house West Africa|title=Tiwa Savage and Tekno top Nigerian Entertainment Awards nominations|url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/tiwa-savage-and-tekno-top-nigerian-entertainment-awards-nominations|website=Music in Africa|accessdate=25 August 2024|date=17 June 2016}}
Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = Applaudise track listing
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| total_length = 72:00
| title1 = Wambi
| writer1 = Iyanya Mbuk
| extra1 = Mystro
| length1 = 3:24
| title2 = Baby Daddy
| note2 = remix; featuring Banky W.
| writer2 = {{flatlist|
- Mbuk
- Olubankole Wellington }}
| extra2 = London Boys
| length2 = 3:09
| title3 = Mama
| writer3 = Mbuk
| extra3 = DJ Coublon
| length3 = 3:50
| title4 = Macoma
| note4 = featuring Efya and Sarkodie
| writer4 = {{flatlist|
- Mbuk
- Jane Awindor
- Michael Addo }}
| extra4 = DJ Coublon
| length4 = 3:36
| title5 = Awade
| note5 = featuring Dammy Krane
| writer5 = {{flatlist|
- Mbuk
- Oyindamola Emmanuel }}
| extra5 = Princeton
| length5 = 3:31
| title6 = Again
| note6 = featuring Seyi Shay
| writer6 = {{flatlist|
- Mbuk
- Oluwaseyi Joshua }}
| extra6 = DJ Coublon
| length6 = 3:18
| title7 = Egwu
| note7 = featuring Mystro
| writer7 = {{flatlist|
- Mbuk
- Michael Ajayi }}
| extra7 = Mystro
| length7 = 3:07
| title8 = Ocho
| note8 = featuring Tekno and Selebobo
| writer8 = {{flatlist|
- Mbuk
- Augustine Kelechi
- Udoka Oku }}
| extra8 = Selebobo
| length8 = 3:58
| title9 = Psychology
| note9 = featuring Harrysong
| writer9 = {{flatlist|
- Mbuk
- Harrison Okiri }}
| extra9 = Dr. Amir
| length9 = 3:26
| title10 = Okamfor
| note10 = featuring Lil Kesh
| writer10 = {{flatlist|
- Mbuk
- Keshinro Ololade }}
| extra10 = Princeton
| length10 = 3:20
| title11 = Loko
| writer11 = Mbuk
| extra11 = Blaq Jerzee
| length11 = 3:45
| title12 = Turn It Up
| note12 = featuring Olamide
| writer12 = {{flatlist|
- Mbuk
- Adedeji }}
| extra12 = Spellz
| length12 = 3:16
| title13 = Ufan
| note13 = featuring Kcee and MC Galaxy
| writer13 = {{flatlist|
- Mbuk
- Kingsley Okonkwo
- Innocent Udofot }}
| extra13 = Princeton
| length13 = 3:50
| title14 = Mogbe
| note14 = featuring Patoranking
| writer14 = {{flatlist|
- Mbuk
- Patrick Okorie }}
| extra14 = DJ Coublon
| length14 = 3:58
| title15 = Commotion
| writer15 = Mbuk
| extra15 = Tee-Y Mix
| length15 = 3:16
| title16 = Applaudise
| writer16 = Mbuk
| extra16 = DJ Coublon
| length16 = 3:45
| title17 = Gift
| note17 = featuring Don Jazzy
| writer17 = {{flatlist|
- Mbuk
- Michael Ajereh }}
| extra17 = Blaq Jerzee
| length17 = 4:20
| title18 = Mr. Oreo
| writer18 = Mbuk
| extra18 = Selebobo
| length18 = 3:44
| title19 = Yoga
| note19 = featuring Victoria Kimani
| writer19 = {{flatlist|
- Mbuk
- Victoria Kimani }}
| extra19 = DJ Coublon
| length19 = 3:30
| title20 = Nakupenda (I Love You)
| note20 = featuring Diamond Platnumz
| writer20 = {{flatlist|
- Mbuk
- Naseeb Juma }}
| extra20 = Mr. Chidoo
| length20 = 3:52
}}
Personnel
- Selebobo – production
- Mystro – production
- DJ Coublon – production
- Tee-Y Mix - production
- Blaq Jerzee – production
- Dr. Amir – production
- Princeton – production
- Spellz – production
- Mr. Chidoo – production
- London Boys – production
- Prince Meyson – photography
- iCrea8Media – album art
- Ubi Franklin – executive producer
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+Release history and formats for Applaudise ! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format ! scope="col"| Label |
| scope="row"| Various
| 19 September 2015 | {{hlist|CD|digital download}} | Made Men |
|---|