Africa – Top 17 Most Popular Nigerian Record Labels

Many people may not be aware of this, but record labels is the main reason for the success of nearly all artists. No matter how good your voice maybe or how talented you are, without being signed to a good record label there will be no good promotion and marketing for your songs. The question is what is a record label? Its simply a brand or trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos, according to Wikipedia definition.

We will be looking at the record labels in Africa but this time around it will be Nigeria precisely. There are so many of them, so we will be writing out the ones we were able to lay our hands on. We will start with Nigeria, who has been topping the music chart in Africa.

1. Mavin Records
One of the most popular record labels in Nigeria is Mavin Records which kicked off in 2012 and the CEO is none other than Michael Collins Ajereh whom the world know as Don Jazzy. This label came around after the dissemination of members of Mo’Hits Records which was also co-owned by Don Jazzy and ex music partner superstar D’banj. Mavin Records consists of top names in the Nigerian music industry which includes; Dr SID, D’ Prince, Tiwa Savage, Di’ja, Korede Bello and Reekado Banks.
Their hit songs includes Dorobucci and Adaobi which involved the entire artists in the record label. They also have their individual hit tracks.

2. Chocolate City
Another popular one is Chocolate City, founded by Audu Maikori, Yahaya Maikori and Paul Okeugo back in 2005. Many top artists in Nigeria and even in Africa at large are signed to this record label, they are; M I, Femi Kuti, Ice Prince, Nosa, Jesse Jagz, Victoria Kimani, Dice Ailes, Koker, Ruby Gyang, DJ Lambo, Qritiqal, Loose Kaynon and Ckay.

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3. Star Boy 
When the name Star Boy is mentioned our mind goes to the Nigerian superstar artist Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun popularly known as Wizkid. He owns this record label after he was signed to EME record label which he later left. There’s no big name in this label apart from him, we believe there will be soon.

4. HKN 
There has been huge arguments between this two Nigerian artists Davido and Wizkid concerning who’s the greatest, well Davido went ahead to have his own record label HKN alongside his elder brother Wale Adeleke. He’s the major artist there and from which he has released great songs such as Aye, Scape Goat, One of a Kind and many more.



5. Hypertek Digital 
Founded by Nigerian top artist 2Face Idibia in 2006 after he left Kennis Music record label, this label has this top artists under its name; RockSteady, Dammy Krane and Victor Uwaifo. Concerning the big names behind it, it has a more height to attain as the years run by.

6. Dem Mama Soldiers 
Dem Mama is another popular record label from Nigeria. Its owned by top sensational artist Inetimi Alfred Odon who is well known as Timaya. With their unique beats and amazing songs it has attained a great height in the world of music.

7. Empire Mates Entertainment 
The Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E) is a great record label that started way back in 2002 by another great Nigerian artist Banky W whose real name is Oluwabankole Wellington. There are top artists that are signed under here too such as Shaydee and Niyola. Wizkid and Skales were part of this record label before finally making their exits. Guess what!! they also have an official DJ known as DJ Xclusive and the producers here are; Masterkraft, Spellz, Jay Sleek and others.

8. Cobhams Asuquo Music Production 
Though not known by many, Cobhams Asuquo Music Production (C.A.M.P) was established by Cobhams Asuquo and has gone ahead to sign artists like Bez and Stan Iyke. Cobhams is partially or completely blind.

9. DB Records
Here’s another great record label owned by one of Nigerians finest artist Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo famously known as D’Banj. Like we previously stated, he was part of Mo’Hits records alongside his former music partner Don Jazzy. Artists signed under here are Dee Vee, Kris, Kay Switch, Jsoul and popular Nigerian Nollywood actress Tonto Dikeh.

10. 960 Music 
A record label with a beautiful name, that’s what i tag it. Their main focus is to provide video and audio entertainment in Nigeria. The head of the company is Mark Redguard and its co-founded by Efe Omorogbe. Its a big record label to the extent that it has others under it which includes; Aristokrat Records, Hypertek Digital and Ultima Productions.

11. Grafton Entertainment 
Founded in 2004 by Tonye Ibiama, Grafton Entertainment is an international company with branches both in Nigeria and United Kingdom. This record label and artist management company has signed many artists with first sets being De Indispensables Lanny B and Tick Lips. Their most successful artist is Mr. 2Kay who came out with popular hit songs Bad Girl Special and Run This Town.

12. Alapomeji Records 
This record label was founded in 2008 by the hit maker himself 9ice following his exit from Edge Records. Mybiohub found out that 9ice is the only artist in this record label after reports of previously signed artists like Wise, Kayefi and Seriki Omo Owo exiting the group because of lack of support for their career.

13. Kaycee Records
Kaycee Records is co-owned by Kennedy Kesidi Richard and Kingsley Chibuzor Aguoru famously known as Kaycee. Other artists signed in this label is former member of Bracket Mr Bistop whose real name is Amaobi Clement and Safin De Coque who is son of Oliver De Coque.

14. Kennis Music
This is one of the oldest in the list. It was founded in 1998 by famous Nigerian DJ Kenny Ogungbe. This record label is one of the most popular having produced top Nigerian and African famous artist 2Face Idibia. Others include Tony Tetuila, Sound Sultan and OJB Jezreel. Presently there still big names in the music industry still signed to this label, they include: Eedris Abdulkarim, Kenny Saint Brown, Capital Femi and many others.

15. Five Star Music
Its a popular record label that is based in Nigeria, owned by Nigerian billionaire E-Money and his real name is Emeka Okonkwo and he’s the younger brother of Limpopo Hit maker Kcee. Artistes signed under this label are Kcee, Skiibii and the artist behind Reggae Blues hit track Harrysong.

16. YBNL 
YBNL is owned by Nigerian Yoruba indigenous rapper Olamide. Although there’s no official meaning to the name but many assume it as Yahoo Boy No Laptop. Its a very famous record label due to the high influence of the owner in the present Nigerian music industry. Under this record label, mybiohub tend to find powerful famous fast rising artistes such as Olamide, Lil Kesh, Viktoh, Chinko Ekun, Xino, Adekunle Gold, BBanks, Young John, Pheelz and Dj Enimoney.

17. Made Men Music Group (MMMG)
Its a well known music label managed by Iyanya also known as Kukere Master and Ubi Franklin. Artists signed under here are; Selebobo, Tekno and Emma Nyra.