Top 10 record labels in Nigeria: music in Nigeria has evolved over the years and is gradually taking artists to great heights. But artists need more than just talent to go a long way. and that is where the record label comes in. From YBNL to Mavins and dmw, here are the Top 10 record labels in Nigeria
1. Chocolate City
Chocolate City is by itself a teenage record label with 17 years in the music industry. It was one of the few labels that made our childhood exciting and helped to bring our music stars closer. The label has provided us with wonderful memories during this time with songs by prior signees including Brymo, Jesse Jagz, Ice Prince, Jeremiah Gyang, Koker, Victoria Kimani, and more.
Rappers including M.I. Abaga, Jesse Jagz, and Ice Prince were signed to the label, which helped launch the second wave of Nigerian hip-hop. It also contributed to the present Afropop experimentation by supporting and signing artists like Dice Ailes and CKay, whose song Love Nwantiti from his EP, CKay the First, was initially published through them.
2. Starboy Records
Starboy Records, which takes its name from Wizkid’s stage name, was established in 2013 after the singer left Empire Mates Entertainment. Although Wizkid signed a deal with RCA Records, the star still distributes his songs through the label while the latter secures exclusive licensing agreements.
The best artists in the past have also called Starboy Records home, like Mr. Eazi and LAX, Efya, Maleek Berry, and others. Terri, DJ Tunez, and master producer Legendury Beatz are its current clients. The record label is undoubtedly one of the Top 10 record labels in Nigeria
3. FlyBoy Inc
Discussions on Kizz Daniels and the necessity to give him his due flowers. In light of the acclaim and commercial success his Barnabas EP and Buga single have received are now roiling around the Nigerian Internet world.
All of this is particularly significant because the artist has a very low profile and is generally only mentioned in connection with his music. With the help of his record company, FlyBoy Inc, which he established in 2017 after leaving G Worldwide, Kizz Daniel has been able to do this.
Although Kizz Daniel is the sole singer currently signed to the label, FlyBoy Inc had previously signed Demmie Vee and producer Philkeyz.
4. The Keyqaad
The Keyqaad and Omah Lay narrative vividly illustrates that there is no monopoly on the sources of quality. For example, if someone had told music lovers that Omah Lay would become popular solely through streaming services and with music at the tempo he’d released on Get Layd before the Covid-19 pandemic and its ensuing lockdown in 2020, it would have been dismissed as a bad joke.
However, Omah Lay—himself a former producer—had in fact broken through the deafening quiet of those times, overcoming numerous obstacles to establish himself as a new-school favorite during a time when we couldn’t go outdoors to hear the music.
5. Jonzing World
While the music industry is undoubtedly brutal and competitive. There are also some
heartwarming tales of siblings working in the same field. One of these may be found at Jonzing World and Mavin Records. Because Don Jazzy of Mavin Records’ younger brother Charles Enebeli, better known as D’Prince, owns the former.
Beyond their endearing backstory, however, is an imprinted company, established in 2019, which uncovered two incredibly gifted performers in Rema and Ruger and provided them with the necessary support to make them the stars they are today.
6. Spaceship Records
Although there aren’t many well-known recording artists signed to Spaceship Records, the label is home to Grammy Award winner Burna Boy, the one and only African Giant, Nissi, a seasoned music producer, and Grammy Award winner Telz.
They are qualified to make the claim that they are one of the biggest record labels in the nation because of all of these factors, which are supported by their impressive portfolio of international collaboration deals, international deals with Atlantic Records and Bad Habit, as well as campaigns and tours supported by their flagship star, Burna Boy.
Burna Boy founded Spaceship Records on February 18, 2015, after leaving Aristokrat Records. Spaceship Records is among the Top 10 record labels in Nigeria.
7. DMW
Due to the label’s ability to capitalize on the notoriety, status, and generosity of its founder, Davido, DMW unquestionably holds the title of being the most well-known. Following Davido’s departure from HKN Music in 2016, DMW was established. It features a number of well-known artists from the music business, including DJ ECool, Peruzzi, Dremo, and Yonda.
The relationship the artists undoubtedly have has translated into numerous, well-received
collaborations in the past, have allowed DMW’s fame and renown to soar.
DMW has also been able to build a name for itself thanks to the success of their marquee performer and founder, Davido, who keeps raking in megadeals and making mega moves
8. YBNL
The street-hop scene, a legitimate subgenre, and culture since Olamide entered the music industry with Eni Duro in 2010, is never given enough room. Since then, the seasoned indigenous rapper has donned a variety of hats. But his record label, YBNL, which was established in 2015, continues to leave the door open for the genre and potential artists.
Since that time, YBNL has been crucial in bringing attention to artists in the street-hop scene and elsewhere. A long range of outstanding and intriguing acts, like Viktoh, Temmie Ovwasa, Davolee, Lil Kesh, Adekunle Gold, and others, have been signed to YBNL in the past. DJ Enimoney’s record label in 2020 signed a distribution agreement with Empire, an online retailer.
9. Marlian Music
Thanks to the popularity of his most recent albums, Loving You, Rocking, and Don’t Call Me with Lil Kesh, Zinoleesky has performed alongside him in many locations. Both Mohbad’s Backside from December 2021 and Naira Marley’s O’dun, which features Zinoleesky, are still active on the charts. Recently, Nigerian music fans have started to call for a more centralized, homegrown chart that doesn’t give Apple Inc. power and glory.
These charts continue to serve as concrete proof of an artist’s success, and in this case, the success of the Marlian Music Label as a whole. Naira Marley founded the label in 2019, and since then it has signed a number of notable artists, most of them adept at creating street hop jams that the entire nation can get behind.
10. EmpPawa Africa
EmpPawa Africa isn’t a real record label because it’s focused on giving independent artists access to the best in the industry. But the organization has through the years established itself as a strong label services provider. In a nutshell, EmPawa Africa is a label services provider that offers Distribution, Publishing management. As well as Marketing for independent African labels. With the goal of empowering artists to become music entrepreneurs.
Mr. Eazi, a singer had initially only intended to become a businessman rather than a musician. But has been able to develop EmPawa as one of the most recognizable label services on the continent. And with a large roster of Nigerian artists.
