Sad Romance
Studio album by
CKay
Released23 September 2022
GenreAfrobeats
Length37:10
Label
Producer
Singles from Sad Romance
  1. "Emiliana"
    Released: 3 December 2021
  2. "Watawi"
    Released: 17 June 2022
  3. "You"
    Released: 26 August 2022
  4. "Mmadu"
    Released: 21 September 2022

Sad Romance is the debut studio album by Nigerian singer CKay. It was released by Warner Music Africa on 23 September 2022. The album features guest appearances from Ayra Starr, Davido, Focalistic, Abidoza, Mayra Andrade, and Ronisia, and was executive produced by CKay. Following the release of the album CKay embarked on the Sad Romance North America Tour (2022).[1]

It was produced primarily by CKay, with production from P2J, Christer, Abayomi Ilerioluwa, BMH, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins, Ramoni, Abidoza, Sarz, and Blaisebeatz. The album received generally positive reviews from critics. Lyrically, Sad Romance communicates with elements associate with love, lust, commitment, pleasure, and pain. The album was supported with a bonus track titled "Love Nwantiti".

Background and promotion

On 3 November 2021, CKay spoke to Billboard writer Darlene Aderoju about his upcoming album. He stated that he wanted to collaborate with R&B artists like SZA, Summer Walker, and Chris Brown, as well as pop stars like Chris Martin and Billie Eilish,[2] and said: "My album is going to be my best work because I’m going to put my whole soul and essence into it."[3] He tweet on 22 May 2022, "My album will make history".[4]

Speaking with Guardian Life magazine, CKay said, "My music is greatly inspired by how I'm feeling at the moment. If I've just broken up, that is what you're going to hear, the vibe of someone that's dealing with heartbreak; and if I'm in an emotional place, you’re going to hear it in the music."[5] He released "You"[6] and "Mmadu"[7] as promotional singles ahead of the release of Sad Romance. On 24 August 2022, CKay announced tour dates for Sad Romance North America Tour to begin on 1 October and end on 28 October 2022.[1]

Release

In late 2021, CKay released "Emiliana", following the success of his sleeper hit "Love Nwantiti", which earned him his first Billboard chart entry. On 1 April 2022, he released the music video for "Emiliana", directed by Ahmed Mosh.[8] "Emiliana" peaked at number one for seven consecutive weeks on the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart.[9] On 6 December 2021, it was named song of the day by The Native,[10] It debuted at number forty-four on the TurnTable Top 50 on 13 December,[11] and reached number five on 24 January 2022.[11] On 29 March 2022, the track debuted at number ten on the newly launched Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart.[12]

On 17 June 2022, CKay released "Watawi", accompanied by a music video directed by Dalia Dias in South Africa.[13] On 26 June 2022, the record peaked at number six on the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart.[14] On 28 June 2022, "Watawi" debuted at number 13 on the Nigeria TurnTable Top 50[15] and number 21 on the US Billboard Afrobeats Songs chart.[16] In 2022, "Watawi" was shortlisted on OkayAfrica Heat of the Week.[17]

Deluxe edition

On 5 May 2023, CKay released "HALLELUJAH", featuring ex-label mate Blaqbonez,[18] as the first single off the deluxe studio album. On 20 May 2023, "HALLELUJAH" debuted at number 26 on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart.[19] Which eventually earned Blaqbonez his first career debut on the chart.[20] On 5 June 2023, "HALLELUJAH" peaked at number 9 on the Official Nigeria Top 100 chart.[21] On 10 June 2023, he announced #HallelujahOpenVerse challenge and promise to award 2 winners $2500 each.[22]

On 2 June 2023, CKay released "nwayi",[23] as the second single off the deluxe studio album. on 16 June 2023, he released the deluxe studio album for Sad Romance,[24] produced primarily by CKay, along with production from BMH, Sakhile, and Magicsticks. The deluxe edition features guest appearances from Blaqbonez, Joeboy, and Tekno.[24]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Pulse Nigeria8.0/10
The Native7.7/10
AfroCritik7.1/10[25]

Sad Romance received generally positive reviews from music critics. In a review for Pulse Nigeria, Adeayo Adebiyi said that Sad Romance "is a nice album created with the intention of consolidating CKay's success abroad and reinstating his status has a sound connoisseur in Afrobeats. However, as far as Afrobeats goes, Afro-Emo is not a mainstream sound and it's uncertain just how much this project can change that."[26] In a review for The Native, Dennis Ade Peter said "There will always be a question of whether CKay played it a little too safe on his debut LP, the ultimate context of the album is in its contribution to any mythos the singer and producer might hope to have, beyond the ubiquity of a few singles. Sad Romance doesn't deliver the sort of romance-themed tragedy you might want to glean from the title, just a few tragic moments and more blue-eyed ones that help bolster CKay as one of the best troubadours working in Nigerian pop today."[27] Emmanuel Daraloye of AfroCritik noted that "[a] listen through this LP would obliterate doubts of willful naysayers."[25]

Track listing

Sad Romance standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."You"Chukwuka EkweaniChrister2:55
2."Mmadu"Ekweani
3:14
3."Leave Me Alone"
  • Ekweani
  • Abayomi Ilerioluwa
  • Charlie Handsome
  • Hoskins
  • Abayomi Ilerioluwa
  • Charlie Handsome
  • Hoskins
2:54
4."You Cheated, I Cheated Too"
  • Abayomi Ilerioluwa
  • CKay
2:12
5."Come Close" (featuring Ayra Starr)
  • CKay
  • Ramoni
3:27
6."Watawi" (featuring Davido, Focalistic, and Abidoza)
Abidoza4:48
7."Soja"
Sarz2:50
8."Samson and Delilah" (featuring Mayra Andrade)
CKay3:12
9."By Now"
Blaisebeatz2:44
10."Emiliana"
2:44
11."Lose You" (featuring Ronisia)
  • Ekweani
  • Abayomi Ilerioluwa
  • Le Marabout
  • Varso
  • Diakite Mohamed Cedric Malick
Abayomi Ilerioluwa3:06
Bonus
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
12."Love Nwantiti (acoustic version)"EkweaniCKay3:04
Total length:37:10

Sad Romance (Deluxe)

Deluxe edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
13."capture my soul" (featuring Joeboy)
3:31
14."nwayi"Ekweani
3:04
15."NNEKA" (featuring Tekno)
  • Sakhile
  • CKay
3:15
16."HALLELUJAH" (featuring Blaqbonez)
Magicsticks2:17
Total length:12:07

Accolades

Year Awards ceremony Category Result Ref.
2023 29th South African Music Awards Rest Of Africa Artist Nominated [28][29]

Charts

Chart performance for Sad Romance
Chart (2022) Peak
position
French Albums (SNEP)[30] 88
Nigeria Albums (TurnTable)[31] 29
Nigeria Alternative Albums (TurnTable)[32] 1

References

  1. 1 2 Adebiyi, Adeayo (24 August 2022). "Ckay drops dates for 'Sad Romance' North America Album Tour". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  2. ↑ Aderoju, Darlene (3 November 2021). "Chartbreaker: Inside CKay's Global Success With a Years-Old Hit". Billboard. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  3. ↑ ""My Album is Going to Be My Best Work Yet" - CKay Tells Billboard". NotjustOk. 4 November 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  4. ↑ "My album'll make history, Ckay boasts". Punch Newspapers. 25 May 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  5. ↑ "Ckay Teases Debut Album 'Sad Romance'". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 23 August 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  6. ↑ Esomnofu, Emmanuel (30 August 2022). "Best New Music: CKay embodies the sad thrill of toxic relationship on "you"". The NATIVE. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  7. ↑ "DOWNLOAD: Ckay gushes over lover in 'Mmadu'". TheCable Lifestyle. 21 September 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  8. ↑ Ideozu, Thelma (1 April 2022). "CKay Continues Winning Streak With Release of New 'Emiliana' Video". The Culture Custodian. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  9. ↑ "Official Afrobeats Chart Top 20 | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  10. ↑ "Songs of the Day: New Music from Guchi, Zlatan, DJ Spinall & More". The NATIVE. 6 December 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  11. 1 2 "Turntable Top 50". TurnTable charts. 28 January 2022. Archived from the original on 2022-01-28. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  12. ↑ Cusson, Michael (29 March 2022). "Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  13. ↑ "Watch Latest English Official Music Video Song 'Watawi' Sung By CKay Featuring Davido, Focalistic And Abidoza | English Video Songs - Times of India". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  14. ↑ "UK Afrobeats Singles Chart". www.officialcharts.com. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  15. ↑ Wright, Moore (28 June 2022). "TurnTable Top 50: Asake scores another No. 1 with "Peace Be Unto You"". The NATIVE. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  16. ↑ Cusson, Michael (29 March 2022). "Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  17. ↑ "The 6 Songs You Need to Hear This Week". OkayAfrica. 24 June 2022. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  18. ↑ Omenye, Alex (8 May 2023). "Ckay, Blaqbonez Give Thanks to God In "Hallelujah"". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  19. ↑ Cusson, Michael (29 March 2022). "Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  20. ↑ "Blaqbonez Records His First Debut On The Billboard Charts". NotjustOk. 18 May 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  21. ↑ "Official Nigeria Top 100". TurnTable Charts. TurnTable. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  22. ↑ Arunaye, Newton (13 June 2023). "Download CKay – "Hallelujah (Open Verse) Instrumental", Join #HallelujahOpenVerse To Win $2500". LEGIT9JA. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  23. ↑ "CKay plays the heartbroken heartthrob on "nwayi"". The FADER. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  24. 1 2 "CKay releases Highly Anticipated Deluxe Edition of "Sad Romance"". BellaNaija. 16 June 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  25. 1 2 Daraloye, Emmanuel (9 October 2022). "CKay solidifies his impressive growth with Sad Romance lp". AfroCritik. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  26. ↑ Adebiyi, Adeayo (28 September 2022). "CKay explores Love, Pleasure, and Pain in 'Sad Romance' [Pulse Album Review]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  27. ↑ Peter, Dennis Ade. "Review: Ckay's 'Sad Romance'". The NATIVE. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  28. ↑ "SAMAs 2023: All the winners". Music In Africa. 18 November 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  29. ↑ Maako, Compiled by Keitumetse. "AKA, K.O lead Sama 2023 nominees as show heads to KZN". Life. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  30. ↑ "Lescharts.com – CKay – Sad Romance". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  31. ↑ "Nigeria Top 50 Albums". www.turntablecharts.com. TurnTable Charts. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  32. ↑ Oriowo, Ayomide. "No. 1 on the Different Album Genre Charts This Week". www.turntablecharts.com. TurnTable. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
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