Top 12 Record Labels in Nigeria (2022)
Record labels have played a key role in nurturing, grooming, and driving artists to stardom since the advent of music as a primary form of core entertainment and a significant money-making endeavor. When the entire class of its constituent music performers is valued, some of these labels are worth billions of Naira.
Music artists own these label imprints, and much as a businessman owns an enterprise or conglomerate, a record label owner owns equivalent conglomerates in the form of music artists signed to his label. Some Nigerian record labels have shown to be phenomenal over the years, delivering every collaboration and single as a massive hit year after year.
If the music industry were a universal set, a record company would be a subset, and artists would represent the populations inside each subset. Simply put, a record label is a network of musicians who create musical content and sell it to the general public; they accommodate artists, DJs, producers, dancers, and other musicians whose primary goal is to ensure that the company profits from the music industry.
At regular intervals, a record label acquires new talented artists who can have a significant impact on the business. There are two types of record labels: major labels and independent record labels. Unlike major labels, which sign big artists to contracts and pay them well, independent labels are smaller musical corporations.
Despite the numerous hurdles in the market, we have 12 record labels that have excelled in the music industry. Today, we’ll go through the list of the top 12 most popular and largest record labels in Nigeria.
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Note: This is a follow-up edition to the article that was previously published on our website – dated May 31, 2022.
Here are our list of the top 12 record labels in Nigeria:
1. Mavin Records
Following a separation with his former co-partner D’Banj, Michael Collins Ajereh, better known as Don Jazzy, founded the label in 2012. D’Banj and Don Jazzy co-founded “Mo’Hit Records,” a record label that rocked the Nigerian music landscape prior to 2012 with top fantastic albums from some of the best and most talented artists from its outlets, including D’Banj himself and Wande Coal.
After 2012, The Mavins Dynasty is Nigeria’s and perhaps West Africa’s largest and most influential record label. D’Prince, Reekado Banks, Koredo Bello, Dr. Sid, Di’Ja, and Tiwa Savage are among the artists who have performed there. They have captivated the music airwaves as a group with their songs, beginning with their first sparkling collaboration in “Dorobucci” and continuing with “Adaobi.”
2. YBNL Nation
YBNL is an abbreviation for ‘yahoo boy no laptop,’ and it is named after the second album of the popular and ever-loving music artist Olamide. It is without a doubt one of the top record labels, with a long list of classic and established stars from the past and present.
For numerous years, YBNL music has led charts on multiple platforms, featuring artists such as Chinko Ekun, Vector, Dj Enimoney, Lil Kesh, and Adekunle Gold, among others. They were nominated for and won the award for best record label of the year for the 2015-2016 season.
With the presence of the label boss Olamide and his crew: B.Banks, Fire Boy, Jayboi, Whizhablbaby, Precious, Pheelz, Young John, and the ever-living Dj Enimoney, the label is currently functioning well.
3. Chocolate City Music
The music empire, which was founded in 2005 as a subsidiary of Chocolate City Group by Lawyer Audu Maikori, Paul Okeugo, and Yahaya Maikori, is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with in the Nigerian music industry.
MI (perhaps the best around the green nation), Ice Prince, and Jesse Jagz are among the label’s many talented unique rappers. Nosa, Femi Kuti, Pryse, DJ Caise, and Kenya’s lady Victoria Kimani are among the group’s other notable artists.
4. Davido Music Worldwide (DMW)
Davido used to be a member of the HKN gang, a label that felt more like a family company because it was co-owned by the OBO himself and his brother Wale, and had two of their cousins signed on; B-Red and Shina Rambo.
However, he quit the label to start his own, resulting in the Davido Music Worldwide entertainment company and label. Dremo and Mayorkun, the popular “MAMA” crooner, are signed to his record label. DMW is currently one of the Nigeria biggest and most popular record labels.
5. EME Records
Banky-W, a prominent Nigerian R&B singer, formed Empire Mates Entertainment in Albany, New York in 2002. EME later awakened in Lagos, Nigeria, when its founder returned home to show his country what he was made of, which he duly did.
EME’s story would be incomplete without mentioning Star Boy, also known as “Wizkid.” Banky honed his skills, bringing his full potential to light, and now he’s been booked for four years ahead of schedule.
He actually broke free from the confines of EME when he grew too big to be contained and now promotes his StarBoy Records all over the world. EME is still running strong, with Banky W as the boss, Niyola as the only appealing Diva, rising Shaydee, and the ever intriguing DJ Xclusive.
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6. Five Star Music
Two brothers, fortune, fame, and talents are just a few of the descriptors and descriptions that come with the “Five Star Music” label imprint. It’s enticing to have a rich CEO who lives by the money, especially because the label is led by Emeka Okonkwo, also known as E-money, the elder brother of Limpopo crooner “KCEE.”
After the singer made the world aware of his existence, the record label soared to fame by reflecting the light it received from KCEE. Kcee, Harrysong, and Skibii were all signed to the record until Harrysong suddenly left the group, rocking the brand. The organization is still doing great, and Kcee is making headway on his millionaire brother’s investment.
7. Capital Hill Records
Clarence Peters, son of Nigerian music superstar Shina Peters and veteran actress Clarion Chukwura, owns the company. By the way, Capital Hill Records has been operating for a while and has built a good reputation among record labels around the country because of its CEO’s exceptional producing abilities.
It used to be home to rappers Chidinma, Tha Suspect, and Kel, but as you know, the bond between musicians, record labels, and rifts is still intact, thus rapper ill bliss is the only dominant presence in the group at the moment.
8. StarBoy Entertainment
Wizkid, a Nigerian A-list music star, formed his label, StarBoy Entertainment, in 2013 after leaving EME Records to pursue a solo career. Wizkid claims he started his own record label to give up-and-coming musicians a chance to succeed.
What a great way to give back to the community! In the Nigerian music world, his record label has a distinct personality. Maleek Berry, Efya, Legendary Beatz, R2Bees, L.A.X, and Mr. Eazi are among the artists signed to his label.
9. G-WorldWide Entertainment
Festus Ehimare, also known as Emperor Geezy, founded the company in 2007. The label seemed to be in its infancy until 2013, when it signed top performer Kiss Daniel, who was in his peak, and if you’ve heard the hit singles “Woju” and “Laye,” you’ll understand why it’s on the list.
10. DB Records
Following the disbanding of Mo’Hits Records, D Banj took care of himself excellently, reawakening and propelling himself to excellent heights in the music industry. His independence gave birth to DB Records. Kay Switch, Jaysleek, DeeVee, Jsoul, Kris, and Nollywood beauty Tonto Dike are among the artists signed to his label imprint.
11. Kennis Music
Founded by entertainment mogul Kehinde Ogungbe, commonly known as Keke, until he was joined by Dayo Adeniyi, also known as D1, and the two became the brand’s CEOs. They formed the entertainment label in 1998 and made it one of the best during the years it thrived, along with their regular TV and radio entertainment show, Primetime Africa, where they bring events and key breakthroughs in the music industry to light.
2Face, OJB Jezreel, and Sound Sultan were once signed to the label. Eedris Abdulkareem, Essence, Kenny Saint Brown, Capital Femi, and Jo El are now present there.
12. Marlian Music
In the year 2020, famous musician Azeez Fashiola, a.k.a. Naira Marley, formed the Marlians music label. During his performance at the Marlian feast, Naira Marley signed roughly four artists to his label without hesitation. Mohbad, Zinoleesky, Dj Lambo, Brymo, Blaqbonez Cblack, and Fabian are among these artists.
He emphasized that he intended to use the open ground to introduce his newly founded label, emphasizing liberally that the label is dedicated to his supporters, the “Marlians.” Shortly after that night’s event, he made the announcement official on his social media handle.
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