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Top 10 record labels in Nigeria

Top 10 record labels in Nigeria

Since the music industry’s growth in Nigeria, record labels have housed, groomed, and propelled artists to stardom. A record label is like an institution where the owner controls the career of artists signed to the label. Some Nigerian superstars like Fireboy, Mayorkun, Perruzzi, Joeboy, Rema, Arya Starr etc., are still signed to labels turning out hits. Other artists like Davido, Wizkid, Phyno, Olamide, Burna Boy, Kizz Daniel etc., have successfully created their own record labels.

A lot of talented youths are seeking for record labels to sign them. Are you one of them? Do you want to kickstart your music career and become a superstar via record labels? This article is for you.

Top 10 record labels in Nigeria

Mavin Records

Mavin Records was founded by Michael Collins Ajereh, popularly known as Don Jazzy, in 2012 after parting ways with ex-business partner D’Banj. Before Mavin, Mo’Hits Records produced widely successful albums by D’Banj, Wande Coal, and D’Prince. After the split, Marvin has gone ahead to become the biggest and most influential record label in Nigeria and arguably West Africa. The label produced mega-hit songs like Dorrobuci, Adaobi, Godwin, Eminado etc. Mavin has also turned out successful artists like Tiwa Savage, Reekado Banks, Di’ja, Korede Bello, Rema, Arya Starr, and D’Prince.

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YBNL

Founded by Olamide,  aka Badoo, YBNL is a Yahoo Boy No Laptop acronym. Olamide created the label in 2012 after he shot to the limelight under ID Cabasa’s label, Coded Tunes, in 2011. YBNL produced the likes of Lil Kesh, Adekunle Gold, Viktoh, DJ Enimoney, Temmie Ovwasa, Davolee, Lyta, Limerick, and Star Prince. Some artists like Adekunle Gold, Lil Kesh and Viktoh have left the label to create their own.

Apart from the artists, YBNL also houses popular producers like Pheelz and Young John the Wicked Producer.

Davido Music Worldwide (DMW)

David Adedeji Adeleke, aka Davido, was once part of the HKN gang, which he co-owned with his brother, Wale. However, he left the label and founded his own DMW. Apart from himself, OBO has produced successful artists like Mayorkun and Perruzi. DMW is one of the best record labels in the country.

StarBoy Entertainment

Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, aka Wizkid, founded StarBoy Entertainment in 2013 after leaving Bankole Wellington’s EME Records. Wizkid said he founded the label to give other artists a chance. His associated acts are Maleek Berry, Legendary Beatz, L.A.X, Efya, R2Bees, and Mr Eazi.

Chocolate City

Chocolate City is the best record label from northern Nigeria. Founded in 2005 by Audu Maikori, Paul Okeugo and Yahaya Maikori, the music label stands as one of the best in the country. Africa’s number one rapper, MI, is a product of Chocolate City. Ice Prince, Jesse Jagz and the record’s first female artist Victoria Kimani from Kenya, came from the label. Other notable artists are Blaqbonez, Nosa, Pryse and DJ Caise.

Five Star Music

This label is owned by two brothers, billionaire Emeka Okonkwo and the label’s most successful artist Kingsley Chinweike Okonkwo aka KCEE. The label also produced Harrysong and Skibii. But Harrysong left after a messy fight. The label is still going strong, with KCEE making hit songs.

Capital Hill Records

The music label is owned by renowned producer Clarence Peters, son of famous Nigerian music legend Shina Peters and veteran actress Clarion Chukwura. Chidinma, Tha Suspect, Kel and Ill Bliss released successful songs under the label. Apart from Ill Bliss, all the prominent artists have left. But that hasn’t stopped the label from earning itself a solid reputation amongst others.

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Made Men Music Group

Founded by Iyanya and his manager Ubi Franklin in 2010, Made Men Music Group is a famous and credible record label in Nigeria. The label produced Tekno, Selebobo, Emma Nyra, and Daci. In 2012, Made Men produced a sensational album titled THE EVOLUTION. Selebobo produced the album alongside Tekno and DJ Coublon. However, Tecno left the label in 2019 and has since created his own.

EME Records

Empire Mates Entertainment (EME) was founded in 2002 by Banky W while he was in Albany, New York. Despite losing Wizkid, EME is still standing strong with Banky W himself, Niyola, Shaydee and DJ Xclusive.

LoveWorld Records

LoveWorld Records is the only Nigerian Gospel music label on our list. Founded in 2009, the label is a religious subsidiary of Believers LoveWorld, also known as Christ Embassy. Frank Edward, Buchi, Ehi, Sinach, Joe Praise, Chris Shalom, Eben, and Ada are gospel music household names that came from the label. Music veteran Ehi Moses currently manages it.

Kennis Music

We cannot end this segment without mentioning Kennis Music, a record label that brought music icon Tuface Idibia to the limelight. Founded in 1998 by popular radio DJ Kehinde Ogungbe, the brand flourished along with their regular TV and Radio entertainment show called Primetime Africa. Other successful artists on the label were OJB Jezreel (deceased), Sound Sultan (deceased), Eedris Abdulkareem, Kenny Saint Brown, Essence, Capital Femi, and Jo-El. Kennis Music remains one of the best record labels in Nigeria and Africa because of its immense contribution to the growth of the music industry in Nigeria.

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Record labels in Nigeria and their artists

Here are the biggest artists for the top 10 record labels in Nigeria:

Mavin Records’ biggest artists

  • DR. SID
  • D’Prince
  • Di’ja
  • Ladipoe
  • Rema
  • Ayra Starr
  • Korede Bello

YBNL biggest artists

  • Fireboy
  • Lyta
  • Ovwasa
  • Davolee
  • DJ Enimoney
  • Temmie
  • Limerick
  • Star Prince

DMW biggest artists

  • Mayorkun
  • Peruzzi
  • Dremo
  • Idowest
  • DJ Ecool

Chocolate City biggest artists

  • Ice Prince
  • Blaqbonez
  • DJ Case
  • Victoria Kimani
  • Pryse
  • Nosa
  • Dice Ailes
  • Jesse Jagz
  • Koker

Made Men Music Group biggest artists

  • Selebobo
  • Emma Nyra
  • Baci

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EME Records biggest artists

  • Banky W
  • Niyiola
  • Shaydee
  • DJ Xclusive
  • Cobhams Asuquo

Five Star Music biggest artist

Only KCEE is keeping the label afloat with his music after Harrysong and Skibii left the label.

StarBoy Entertainment biggest artists

  • Wizkid
  • Legendary Beatz
  • L.A.X
  • Maleek Berry
  • Efya
  • R2Bees
  • Mr Eazi

Loveworld Records biggest artists

  • Frank Edwards
  • Sinach
  • Eben
  • Ada Ehi
  • Joe Praise
  • Jahdiel
  • Buchi
  • Chris Shalom

Capital Hill Records biggest artist

Ill Bliss is the sole big artist in this label after Chidinma, Tha Suspect and Kel left.

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How much do record labels pay artists in Nigeria?

A newly signed artist in a record label in Nigeria is richer than the average Nigerian. On average, an upcoming artist gets about N3 million to N20 million, as a signing fee by the record label. Apart from the signing fees, these artists are also given cars and apartments/houses by record labels.

Record labels pay two royalties: one to artists, the other to composers & publishers. Labels in Nigeria pay artists about 10% – 15% royalties based on record sales, while composers and publishers receive 30% or more.

Best record label in Nigeria

Marvin Records remains the best and the most influential record label in Nigeria. Founded by Don Jazzy in 2012, Marvins signed a multi-million-dollar investment deal with Kupanda Holdings. The deal makes Marvin Global the best record label in Nigeria and the leading entertainment company in Africa.

From 2014 to 2021, the label has constantly released hits from prominent artists like Tiwa Savage, D’Prince, Dr Sid, Reekado Banks, Korede Bello, Di’ja, Rema, DNA Twins, Crayon, Ayra Starr, Ladipoe, Johnny Drille, Magixx. Marvin pays new artists between N5 million to N20 million, making it the highest paying record label in Nigeria.

The company also provides innovative services such as partnerships, content production, publishing and marketing.

Conclusion

Music in Nigeria has evolved from amateur production to massive production enterprises that can compete anywhere in the world. Nigerian music is gradually taking over the global space, thanks to the record labels in the country. They produce great music and have propelled Nigerian artists to the world. These artists collaborate with international music stars like Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, Brandy, Ed Sheeran, Madonna, Justin Bieber, Drake, Akon, etc.

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Nonye is a Thespian, screenwriter, creative writer and an unapologetic lover of books, great movies and sports. She has over 10 years experience in content writing on entertainment, movies, sports and lifestyle. Nonye is currently a content writer at Blackdot Media and founder of litafrik.com
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