If you're a music enthusiast in Nigeria's vibrant music scene, you've definitely encountered the terms LP and EP. These labels appear everywhere from Burna Boy's latest release to emerging artists on streaming platforms, but what do they actually mean?
The Origins of LP: Long Play Revolution
LP stands for Long Play, a format that revolutionized music consumption when Columbia Records introduced it in 1948. Before LPs, most records were made from shellac material that produced scratchy sounds and could only hold a few minutes of music per side.
The vinyl LP changed everything. These records spun slower at 33⅓ revolutions per minute (RPM) and featured smaller grooves, allowing a standard 12-inch LP to play approximately 25 minutes per side, totaling around 50 minutes of music.
This extended runtime transformed how artists created music, enabling them to include seven or more tracks or complete classical pieces. Over time, LP became synonymous with full-length albums, regardless of the physical format. Today, when Nigerian artists like Wizkid or Tems refer to their "LP," they typically mean a complete album project containing 10-12 songs, even on digital platforms.
Understanding EP: The Middle Ground Release
EP stands for Extended Play, representing a shorter musical release that sits between a single and a full album. Typically containing 3-5 tracks, EPs serve multiple purposes in an artist's career strategy.
For emerging Nigerian artists, EPs provide an affordable way to introduce their sound to the market without the financial commitment of a full album. They also allow established artists to experiment with new styles or maintain fan engagement between major releases.
Charting rules vary significantly across platforms. In the United Kingdom, any release with more than four tracks or exceeding 25 minutes automatically qualifies as an album for chart purposes. On digital platforms like iTunes and Apple Music, the classification is clear: four to six tracks under 30 minutes counts as an EP, while seven tracks or more qualifies as an album.
Key Differences Between EP and LP Formats
Understanding the distinction between these formats becomes clearer when examining length, physical characteristics, and artistic purpose.
Length and Content: EPs offer a musical snapshot, typically showcasing an artist's current direction without the depth of a full album. LPs provide a comprehensive listening experience that allows for thematic development and artistic storytelling.
Physical Format Differences: On vinyl, EPs often appear on 7-inch discs that may require adapters for standard turntables. LPs typically use 12-inch records that fit most players without additional equipment.
Spin Rates: Most LPs rotate at 33⅓ RPM, maximizing playing time per side. EPs, particularly 7-inch vinyl versions, commonly spin at 45 RPM, which can enhance sound quality but reduces total runtime.
Artistic Purpose: EPs frequently serve as teasers for upcoming work, testing grounds for new sounds, or ways to maintain momentum between major projects. LPs represent complete artistic statements, whether conceptual albums, era-defining collections, or cohesive bodies of work.
Why LP Terminology Persists in Modern Music
Despite the digital revolution that has transformed music consumption, the term LP remains relevant for several compelling reasons that resonate with Nigerian artists and audiences alike.
Signaling Complete Projects: When an artist announces an "LP," it immediately communicates to fans that they're delivering a substantial body of work, not just a single or short collection.
Historical Credibility: The term connects contemporary music to decades of musical tradition, lending weight and context to new releases in a market that values both innovation and heritage.
Storytelling Framework: LPs provide the ideal format for concept albums and projects where songs flow together to create narrative arcs, something increasingly popular among Nigerian artists exploring thematic depth.
Vinyl Resurgence: The growing global interest in vinyl records has brought physical LPs back into style, giving collectors and audiophiles tangible reasons to maintain the format.
Streaming Clarity: Even on platforms like Spotify, Boomplay, and Apple Music, labeling a release as an LP helps distinguish full albums from shorter EPs, singles, or mini-albums in an overcrowded digital landscape.
In Nigeria's dynamic music industry, understanding the distinction between LP, EP, and single releases remains valuable whether you're a fan, collector, or aspiring artist. The term "LP" has evolved beyond its vinyl origins to represent complete musical projects that demand attention in both physical and digital formats.
Next time you see "LP" attached to a release from your favorite Nigerian artist, recognize it as more than nostalgic terminology—it's a deliberate statement about presenting music as a comprehensive artistic experience worthy of your full attention.
