TOP 13 RECORD LABELS IN NIGERIA
Nigeria’s music industry is arguably one of the best in the world. Our music stars are now releasing record breaking music, selling out world famous arenas and just being generally successful.
One of the major factors responsible for this success is record labels. Of course, most of our A-list stars are now signed to major record labels in the U.K. and U.S., such as RCA, Sony, Warner, and the like. However, a majority of them started their careers with record labels in Nigeria.
What is a Record Label?
A record label is a company responsible for producing, distributing, marketing, and promoting music. A record label also scouts and develops artistes. It maintains contracts with recording artists, songwriters, producers, and their managers.
The industry has evolved from what it used to be in the past.
Now, you don’t necessarily need a record label to achieve success, but being in one can help accelerate your progress and get there faster, especially if you join the right one.
In this article, we will be profiling the top 10 record labels in Nigeria.
1) MAVIN RECORDS
This is no doubt one of the biggest record labels in Nigeria and West Africa. Mavin Records is home to some of the best young stars in Nigeria.
Mavin Records is owned by music producer and businessman Don Jazzy.
Don Jazzy formed Mavin Records on May 8, 2012, after leaving the now defunct Mo’s Hit Records. He signed Tiwa Savage immediately before adding producers Altims and Baby Fresh.
Since making its debut in 2012, Mavin Records has ruled the African music scene.
There is no other reason for this other than their great attention to detail in hiring personnel behind the cameras.
Mavin employs some of the most talented and hardworking artists, repertoires, songwriters, producers, and performers. It’s basically a music hive.
Mavin also has a music academy that scouts upcoming talent, recruits them, and trains them to become international superstars.
Some of the notable talents signed to Mavin Records are artists Rema, Ayra Starr, Crayon, Ladipoe, Johnny Drille, and recently Magixx, Boy Spyce, Bayanni, and Lifesize Teddy. Also, Producer Andre Vibez is responsible for worldwide hits such as Feeling, Calm Down, Rush, Overdose, etc.
This makes it one of the best record labels in Nigeria.
Lifesize Teddy Biography: Meet Mavin’s Latest Signee
2) YBNL
YBNL’s Full name is Yahoo Boy No Laptop. It was founded in 2012 by legendary Indigenous rapper Olamide Adedeji, who goes simply as Olamide. The label was named after his sophomore album.
Back in the day, YBNL was affiliated and known for signing major street artists and producers like Lil Kesh and Young John. However, the label has since evolved, and it is now more diverse in the kind of artistes it signs, evident with the signings of Adekunle Gold and Fireboy DML.
If there’s anything that makes YBNL a top 10 record label in Nigeria, it’s Olamide’s nose. He could sniff talent a mile away.
His ear is also one of the best in the industry. He recently leaked Fireboy DML’s single Peru because he thought it had the potential to be an international hit even when Fireboy didn’t think so.
It is, therefore, not surprising that YBNL is number 2 among the top 10 record labels in Nigeria.
YBNL also just signed a promotional deal with Empire. This makes signing with YBNL much more lucrative, as it provides a faster pathway to international success.
Asake, Fireboy, and Olamide are the artists currently signed up for YBNL.
3) CHOCOLATE CITY
Chocolate City is one of the oldest record labels on the list. Founded in 2005 by Audu Maikori along with Paul Okeugo and Yahaya Maikori. In 2015, Audu stepped down, and M.I. became the CEO.
A huge chunk of artists have been affiliated with Chocolate City in one way or another.
Many record labels have come and gone over the years, but Chocolate City has remained standing for almost two decades due to its impeccable structure.
This is why Chocolate City is one of the best record labels in Nigeria
Chocolate City has been home to Ckay, Victoria Kimani, Ice Prince, Jesse Jagz, etc. The biggest African song ever, Nwantiti, was released under this label.
It’s currently home to Young John, Blaqbonez, Tar1q, and Candy Bleakz.
4) JONZING WORLD
Founded on March 22nd, 2019, by Charles Enebeli, aka D’prince. Unknown to many, D’prince was the one who discovered Rema not Mavin Records.
Jonzing world was just starting out then and D’prince felt Mavin was more equipped to accelerate the progress of Rema, so he introduced Rema to his big brother Don Jazzy.
Rema then signed a distribution and publishing deal with Mavin, although he’s still affiliated with Jonzing World.
A few years later, Jonzing World signed dancehall artiste Ruger with no affiliation to Mavin Records. Ruger has gone on to be one of the most successful young artists in Nigeria currently and was recently nominated for the next rated Headies award, which he lost narrowly to Bnxn fka buju.
Jonzing World easily takes a spot as one of the top record labels in Nigeria.
It’s safe to say that in a short time, Jonzing World has established itself as a top-ten record label in Nigeria.
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5) EMPAWA AFRICA
Empawa Africa was founded in November 2018 by Tosin Ajibade, an Afrobeats star and businessman who goes by Mr. Eazi.
Empawa Africa is not exactly a record label per say, but they do function as one. Mr. Eazi describes it as a bank for African artistes that produces services.
When it was founded, 100 African artists from 11 African countries were picked, and each one was given a fully funded music video. Eventually, only the top 2 or 3 artists are fully invested in.
Empawa Africa is definitely one of the best record labels in Nigeria
Afropop star Joeboy and buzzing female vocalist Fave, known for the viral single Baby Riddim, are two of the top artists at Empawa Africa.
6) DAVIDO MUSIC WORLDWIDE
Founded in 2016 by David Adedeji Adeleke, Afrobeats superstar Davido after leaving his previous record label, HKN Music.
He started the label with two artists, Holy Father crooner Mayorkun and rapper Dremo.
Between 2016 and 2021, DMW was responsible for many hit songs in the Nigerian music scene. During that time, Mayorkun won 3 Headies awards, including the next-rated award in 2018.
Davido Music Worldwide is a top record label in Nigeria.
Things seem to have cooled down now that Davido has taken a step back, but it’s only a matter of time before this label returns to the top 10 record labels in Nigeria.
Davido and Liya are the artists currently signed under DMW.
7) STARBOY ENTERTAINMENT
It was founded by Ayodeji Balogun, another Afrobeats giant, Wizkid, in 2013 after leaving Banky W’s Empire Mates Entertainment. His first signings were Maleek Berry, Legendary Beatz, and himself.
Maleek Berry was a force to be reckoned with before his hiatus from the industry, and Legendary Beatz is the music duo responsible for producing Wizkid hits like Carob and Ginger.
In 2018, he signed Starboy Terri, with whom he collaborated to produce the international smash hit Soco.
In the label’s early years, it was alleged that he had signed Mr. Eazi and Ghanaian artists Efya and R2bees.
These artists have since come out to debunk this fact and say they were never signed but only affiliated with the label. Signed or not, it did great things for their careers.
Starboy Entertainment is one of the best record labels in Nigeria and takes a top ten spot among the best record labels in Nigeria.
Starboy Entertainment is managed by Wizkid’s manager, Jada Pollock.
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8) Eezee Concepts
Eezee concept is definitely one of the top 10 record labels in Nigeria, and the reason for this is not far-fetched.
They have the top hottest Nigerian gospel singers. There is Mercy Chinwo, Minister GUC, Judikay, and recently, Chidinma Ekile.
9) LOVEWORLD RECORDS
Loveworld Records is a Gospel music-centered record label founded by Chris Oyakhilome in 2009.
Loveworld Records is the first record label dedicated solely to the publishing, production, promotion, marketing, and distribution of gospel music and gospel artists in Nigeria.
The industry is populated with Afrobeats artists. One would think there is no space for gospel artists, but that couldn’t be far from the truth.
Loveworld Records is definitely one of the top ten record labels in Nigeria.
Some top Gospel artists pose numbers that many Afrobeat artists can only dream of; from Sinach’s Waymaker to Mercy Chinwo’s Chinedum, these are just a few record-breaking Gospel smash hits from Nigeria.
Loveworld Records has been home to artists like Sinach, Ada Ehi, Frank Edwards, Joe Praize, etc.
10) MARLIAN RECORDS
Founded in 2019 by Azeez Adeshina Fashola and Naira Marley. He announced the launch of the label during the Marlian Fest in December 2019, where he unveiled Zinoleesky, Mohbad, Cblvck, and Fabian Blu as new signings.
Marlian Records is a record label that represents the streets, and it aims to show that you can make it no matter where you come from.
Marlian Records is one of the top ten record labels in Nigeria.
Marlian Records has been involved in various controversies recently, but that doesn’t diminish their capabilities as a record label, as some of their artists have risen to the top quickly.
For instance, Zinoleesky is already a fan favorite and was recently nominated for the next rated award, which he lost to BNXN, aka Buju.
11. Plutomania Records
Plutomania Records is the record label of Nigerian singer Shallipopi. It will serve as the home recording for Shallipopi and his newly signed artists Zerry Dl and Tega Boi DC
Shallipopi took to social media to announce the launch of his record label, which surprised many people, considering that Shallipopi himself is still an upcoming singer.
Although the defense lies in the fact that Shallipopi has been dominating the music scene since he released his chart-topping song “Elon Musk” which later earned a remix with Fireboy. The success of his song also led to the release of his debut EP.
In turn, the EP featured hit songs like “Obapluto” and his recently released song “Oscrah (pepperline)”
Shallipopi’s rise to fame in the Nigerian music industry propelled him to launch his own record label, Plutomania Records. Plutomaina Records is certainly one of the emerging top record labels in Nigeria.
12. Vibez Inc.
Vibez Inc. is the new record label established by the Nigerian artist Seyi Vibez, marking a significant milestone in his career. Announced on November 30, 2023, the label reflects Seyi Vibez’s entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to nurturing emerging talent within Nigeria’s vibrant music scene.
After a successful 2023, Seyi Vibez leveraged his influence and expertise to support other artists. The label’s first signee, TML Vibez, was introduced with a captivating introductory video, signaling the label’s promise of quality and innovation. Seyi Vibez’s vision for Vibez Inc. is about producing music and creating a platform that propels artists to new heights.
Vibez Inc. quickly expanded, signing three more artists: Muyeez, who recently released his debut single, “Instagram,” Billion Solar, and NerryCkole. These artists showcase the label’s dedication to diversity and richness in musical talent.
The label’s collaborative project, “Vibez Incorporation Mixtape Vol.1,” features these artists and highlights the synergistic potential of Vibez Inc.’s roster. It’s also an emerging Nigerian record label.
13. Flyboy Inc.
Flyboy Inc. is a prominent Nigerian record label founded by the acclaimed artist Kizz Daniel in November 2017. The label was established after Kizz Daniel departed from his previous label, G-Worldwide, due to a contract dispute and court case.
Flyboy Inc. represents Kizz Daniel’s vision of creating a platform that produces hit music and nurtures and promotes emerging talents in the Nigerian music industry. Flyboy Inc. has been associated with the release of Kizz Daniel’s album, ‘No Bad Songz,’ further strengthening the label’s reputation for quality music production.
Top 10 Record Labels in Nigeria
- Mavin Records
- YBNL
- Chocolate City
- Jonzing world
- Empawa Africa
- Davido Music worldwide
- Starboy Entertainment
- Eezee Concepts
- Loveworld Records
- Marlian Records
