Most Popular Record Labels in Nigeria (Top 10)

If the music industry was a ‘universal set’ then we can say a record label is a subset, while the artists are the populations in each subset. We can say a record label is a network of music performers that produce musical content and sell it to the public, they have artists, producers, DJs, dancers, and all kinds of music professionals whose major aim is to ensure that the company makes a profit from the music business.

In spite of the numerous obstacles in the industry, a panegyric of 10 musical companies have been outstanding in their performances in the music business

Meanwhile, in this article, RNN will highlight the list of the top 10 most famous record labels in Nigeria.

1. Mavin Record

Mavin Records is a Nigerian music record label founded by record producer and recording artist Don Jazzy on 8 May 2012. The label’s inception came to fruition following the closure of Mo’ Hits Records, a record label owned by the aforementioned producer and D’banj.

The record label is now one of the biggest record labels in Africa. The label has also emerged as the fastest growing entertainment brand in the entertainment category in Africa in the 2022 edition of the Global Brand Award by Global Brand Magazine.

Also, the label has consistently created some of Afrobeats’ biggest artists both locally and on the global scene. Home to Rema, Ayra Starr, Ladipoe, Johnny Drille, Crayon and industry newbies like Magixx and BoySpyce. The label keeps raising the bar on what excellence represents in the African music industry.

2. Ybnl Nation

Ybnl Nation is a Nigerian music corporation record label founded by Adedeji Olamide in 2012. Yahoo Boy No Laptop popularly known as YBNL came up as a record label after being used as the name of Olamide’s second official album.

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 the best record label of the year for the 2015-2016 season.

On 19 February 2020, YBNL Nation signed a distribution, and publishing deal with Empire Distribution.

3. Chocolate City Music

Chocolate City is a Nigerian record label founded in 2005 by lawyer Audu Maikori along with Paul Okeugo and Yahaya Maikori. Generally regarded as the biggest and most successful indigenous urban record label in Africa. Chocolate City Music operates as a subsidiary of Chocolate City Group, One of the biggest entertainment conglomerates in Africa.

The label has been home to superstar recording artists such as M.I Abaga, Femi Kuti, Nosa, Dice Ailes, Blaqbonez, ClassiQ, CKay, Candy Bleakz, Torna and Dijay Cinch. Artists formerly signed to the label include Victoria Kimani, Ice Prince, DJ Caise, DJ Lambo, Jeremiah Gyang, Ruby Gyang, Pryse, Brymo, Koker and Jesse Jagz, Lemon Adisa, Mr Gbafun and Ijay. Chocolate City Music has also worked on the careers of artists such as Djinee and Asa.

4. Davido Music Worldwide (DMW)

Davido Mus is a Nigerian record label owned by Afrobeats singer Davido. The record label was founded on April 18 2016, Davido used to be a member of the HKN gang, a record label which was co-owned by the OBO himself and his brother and had two of their cousins signed, B-Red and Shina Rambo.

However, he quit the label to start his own record label resulting in the Davido Music Worldwide entertainment. Dremo and Mayorkun, the popular “MAMA” crooner, are signed to his record label. The label is home to recording acts, such as Dremo, Yonda, Peruzzi, Idowest, DJ Ecool, Danagog, B-Red, Deekay, May D, Deinde, Ayanfe, and Liya. It also houses producers Fresh VDM and Speroach Beatz.

DMW is currently one of Nigeria’s biggest and most popular record labels.

5. Starboy Entertainment

Starboy Entertainment is a Nigerian independent record label founded By Wizkid In 2012. The label is home to recording artists and producers such as Wizkid himself, L.A.X, Maleek Berry and Legendury Beatz, DJ Olu is the label’s official DJ. In 2012 Wizkid 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.

However, In the Nigerian music world, his record label has a distinct personality of Maleek Berry, Efya, Legendary Beatz, R2Bees, L.A.X, and Mr Eazi are among the artists signed to his label.

6. Marlian Music

The Marlian music label was founded by the controversial Musician, Azeez Fashiola, A.K.A Naira Marley in 2020. Without hesitation, Naira Marley signed about four artists into his label during his show at the Marlian feast. These artists include Mohbad, Zinoleesky, Dj Lambo, Brymo, Blaqbonez Cblack, and Fabian.

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 “Marlian”. Shortly after that night’s event, he made the announcement official on his social media handle.

7. Five-Star Music

Five Star Music is a record label based in Nigeria. It is headed by Emeka Okonkwo who is the elder brother of the label’s most prominent artist Kcee, the record was founded in 2013. The singer Harrysong is also on the label, Harrysong signed in 2013, and his former label “Questionmark Records” took 5 Star Music to court.

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. The organization is still doing great and Kcee is making headway on his millionaire brother’s investment.

8. Kennis Music

Kennis music joined the race as far back as 1998, it was launched by Kehinde Ogunde, also called Keke, and the label was later supported by the arrival of Dayo Adeniyi into the label. With the likes of 2face, OJB Jezreel, and the late Sound Sultan in the crew, there will be perhaps no need for the narration of how the Kennis music gained its fame.

Presently, the company harbours key stars like Eedris Abdulkareem, Kenny Saint Brown, Essence, Capital Femi, and Jo-El

9. G-Worldwide Entertainment

This label really deserves to be mentioned here from its past and present performances, it was founded in 2007 by Festus Ehimare, also called Emperor Geezy as kiss Daniel would always often yell at the end of each song he drops.

The crew was latent and somewhat hibernated until the arrival of the popular hitmaker and game changer, “Kizz Daniel”. It is awkward to say an afrobeat fan from Nigeria or Africa at large never witnessed the Jamz of the young lad immediately after he got signed into the industry. His two singles Woju, and Laye” alone are worth being the reason why the crew appears on our list.

10. Penthauze Music

This label came into existence in 2008 with one of Nigeria’s best rappers and singers, Phyno. Formerly, artists in the company were the likes of Runtown, Shugaboi, and Flipside and later in 2014, stormed was signed.

The head of the crew has done vehemently well in growing the company. The label had been nominated 15 times for “The Headies Award” and bagged it home 3 times. Mr Obago has 28 nominations and 5 awards presently.