Draft:Chapter One (May D album)

Chapter One is the debut studio album by Nigerian singer-songwriter May D. Released on May 17, 2013, by Confam Entertainment, the album showcases May D's unique blend of Afrobeats, R&B, and dancehall music. The album marks a significant milestone in May D's career, following his departure from Square Records in 2012. The production of the album spanned over two years, with notable contributions from producers such as Papi J, Mecca E, Oskido, Fliptyce, Sossick, Shizzi, UC Praw, Peter Okoye and Spellz.

Despite the anticipation surrounding its release, Chapter One received mixed reviews from critics, who criticized the album for its lack of originality and cohesiveness. However, the album performed well commercially, driven by the popularity of its singles and May D's growing fanbase.

Background
After gaining significant recognition as a featured artist on several hits with P-Square, May D decided to pursue a solo career. In 2012, he parted ways with Square Records and established his own label, Confam Entertainment. The reason for the name of the album, was because, the creation of his debut album, Chapter One, marked a new chapter in his musical journey, hence the name Chapter One. The album's production began in 2011 and continued for two years, involving various recording sessions in Nigeria and South Africa. May D worked with notable producers such as Fliptyce, Oskido, Spellz, Shizzi and more to craft a sound that blends Afrobeats, R&B, and dancehall. His goal was to produce an album that would resonate with a wide audience while showcasing his versatility as an artist.

Singles
Chapter One was supported by several singles, which helped build anticipation for the album's release. The Fliptyce-produced lead single, "Sound Track," was released on May 13, 2011, along with "Cool Temper." Both tracks received positive reception and established May D as a promising solo artist. The music video for "Sound Track" was directed by Clarence Peters and released on January 12, 2012, shortly after the single.

"Ile Ijo," the next single from the album, was released on January 20, 2012. The song's energetic vibe made it a hit on dance floors across Nigeria. The accompanying music video, also directed by Clarence Peters, was released on July 6, 2012.

On May 13, 2012, May D released two singles, "Gat Me High" and "You Want 2 Know Me," the latter featuring P-Square. The music video for "Gat Me High" was directed by Crisp Clear Visuals and released on December 12, 2012.

"Use Me" was released as a single on October 13, 2012, with no music video released.

"So Many Tinz" was released on February 13, 2013, with a vibrant music video directed by Mr. Moe Musa, released on April 27, 2013.

The final single from the album, "Ur Eyes," featuring Davido, was released on May 14, 2013. The music video, directed by CallBack Dreams Productions, premiered on February 26, 2014.

Critical reception
Chapter One received mixed reviews from music critics upon its release. Nigerian Entertainment Today awarded the album a rating of 3 out of 5 stars, criticizing it for its excessive tracklist and cringey lyrical content. The review noted that while May D showcased his vocal abilities, the album suffered from inconsistency and lacked a cohesive theme.

YNaija provided a more nuanced critique, describing Chapter One as an ambitious yet flawed project. The review highlighted a few standout dance tracks but criticized the album for its overall uninspired and monotonous delivery. Despite this, YNaija acknowledged May D's efforts to experiment with different musical styles.

Conversely, ThePingofPong praised the album for successfully creating a fun and danceable experience that captures the essence of pop music. The review applauded May D for delivering energetic performances and incorporating diverse musical influences into the album. According to ThePingofPong, Chapter One showcased May D's potential to appeal to a broad audience with its infectious beats and catchy melodies.

Overall, Chapter One garnered a range of critical responses, reflecting both its strengths and weaknesses as May D's debut solo effort.

Personnel

 * May D – primary artist
 * Kayswitch – featured artist
 * 2Baba – featured artist
 * Davido – featured artist
 * Oskido – featured artist
 * Olamide – featured artist
 * P-Square – featured artist
 * Papi Jay – producer
 * Shizzi – producer
 * Fliptyce – producer
 * Oskido – producer
 * Spellz – producer
 * Sossick – producer
 * Peter Okoye – producer
 * Mecca E – producer
 * UC Draw – producer
 * CallBack Dreams Studios - video director
 * Mr. Moe Musa – video director
 * Clarence Peters – video director
 * Crisp Clear Visuals – video director