In 2024, Nigeria’s music scene is buzzing with energy, and record labels are playing a huge role in shaping its future. From rising stars to big names, these labels are leading the way in Afrobeats and more. In this article, we take a look at the five best and most trending music record labels in Nigeria this year.
Dapper Music
Dapper Music has rapidly become one of the most influential names in Nigeria’s entertainment industry, thanks to the visionary leadership of Damilola Akinwunmi. Since its inception in 2018, the label has quickly ascended to the top tier of the Nigerian music scene, revolutionizing the way music is created, distributed, and promoted.
What began as a music distribution and label service company has since grown into a fully integrated entertainment giant, encompassing several key branches: Dapper Digital(distribution), Dapper Music and Entertainment(artist management), Dapper Films (film production), Dapper Live (events and concerts), and S94 Publishing (music publishing). Together, these divisions form a powerhouse that is shaping the future of Nigerian entertainment, with a strong focus on the global growth of the Afrobeats genre.
The label is home to a new generation of stars who are pushing the boundaries of Afrobeats and beyond. These include:
- Seyi Vibez
- Balloranking
- Shallipopi
- BhadBoi OML
- Bhary Jay
- Reeha
- T.I Blaze
- Dibs
- Pabrymo
- Tega Boi
- ZerryDL
These artists are already making waves, not only in Nigeria but across Africa and the world. Their music is shaping the future of Nigerian entertainment, with each one bringing their own unique flavor to the Afrobeats genre and some are advancing by featuring in major Nollywood movies alongside top Nollywood stars.
Dapper Music’s primary mission is to elevate Afrobeats to the global stage, and it has been doing so with incredible success. Through its digital arm, Dvpper Digital, the label has distributed over 2,000 songs, helping artists secure millions of streams worldwide. Dapper Music’s artists have seen exceptional success on major streaming platforms, with notable milestones including 5 albums surpassing 100 million streams on Audiomack and a combined total of over 1 billion streams on the platform.
Seyi Vibez, in particular, has seen his projects, like Billion Dollar Baby and Thy Kingdom Come, top the Apple Music Top 100 charts in Nigeria. Similarly, Shallipopi’s Planet Pluto EP reached #1 on Audiomack’s Top 100 chart, solidifying his place as one of Nigeria’s most promising stars.
YBNL Nation
YBNL Nation, founded by Nigerian superstar Olamide in 2012, has become a key player in shaping the sound of contemporary Nigerian music. From its beginnings, YBNL has grown into one of the most influential independent record labels in the country, consistently launching the careers of some of Nigeria’s biggest stars.
In 2020, Billboard Magazine recognized YBNL as one of the “Gatekeepers of the Nigerian Music Industry”, further solidifying its influence on both the local and international music scenes.
Current YBNL Artists
YBNL Nation is currently signed two of Nigeria’s most exciting and successful artist, this includes Fireboy DML and Asake. Fireboy is one of the label’s biggest stars, Fireboy DML who has garnered international aclaim with his fusion of Afrobeat, soul, and pop music. His albums, including Laughter, Tears & Goosebumps and Apollo, have earned him numerous accolades and millions of streams worldwide.
Asake is known for his unique blend of Afrobeats, Fuji, and street-pop, Asake has become a household name with chart-topping hits like Fuji vibes and Sungba. His debut album Mr. Money with the Vibe and subsequent projects have cemented him as one of the brightest stars in Nigerian music.
YBNL has been the launchpad for several now-famous artists who have shaped the Nigerian music landscape. and the former YBNL stars include Lil Kesh, Adekunle Gold, Viktoh, Chinko Ekun, and Lyta, among others. Many of these former artists have gone on to achieve major success in their own right, proving Olamide’s keen eye for talent and his ability to craft stars.
Behind the scenes, YBNL has a team of talented producers who have crafted some of the biggest hits in Nigerian music. Key producers associated with YBNL include Pheelz, Young John, Magicsticks, Mike Dean, P.Priime, Sak Pase, Sarz and B-Banks, whose work has helped define the unique sound of the label.
Chocolate City Music
Chocolate City Music is one of Nigeria’s most iconic and influential record labels, founded in 2005 by lawyer Audu Maikori, alongside Paul Okeugo and Yahaya Maikori. Recognized as a leading player in the African music industry, Chocolate City has firmly established itself as a powerhouse in the urban music scene. The label is a subsidiary of Chocolate City Group, a multi-faceted media and entertainment company that has expanded its reach to include everything from music production to artist management.
Artists at Chocolate City
Over the years, Chocolate City has been home to a diverse range of talented artists, spanning genres such as Afropop, hip-hop, and alternative R&B.
The current roster includes some of the most exciting names in Nigerian music:
- Femi Kuti: The legendary Afrobeat musician, known for his powerful activism and musical prowess, is one of the high-profile artists signed to Chocolate City.
- Blaqbonez: A prominent figure in Nigerian hip-hop, Blaqbonez has gained a reputation for his witty lyricism and genre-blending sound.
- Young Jonn: A talented producer and artist, Young Jonn has been known for his unique fusion of Afropop, making waves both as a solo act and producer.
- Candy Bleakz: A rising star in Nigerian rap and street music, Candy Bleakz is recognized for her bold lyrics and distinctive sound.
- Tar1Q, Noon Dave, and Major AJ round out the label’s emerging talents, further solidifying Chocolate City’s commitment to nurturing new voices.
The label has also been the launchpad for several Nigerian music icons, including:
- M.I Abaga: One of the most successful rappers in Nigeria, known for his influence in shaping modern Nigerian hip-hop.
- Ice Prince: A multiple award-winning rapper who made history with his hit Oleku and has continued to be a dominant force in Nigerian music.
- Ckay: With his viral hit “Love Nwantiti,” Ckay became a global sensation, achieving international success.
- Brymo, Dice Ailes, Victoria Kimani, Jesse Jagz, Pryse, Koker, and Ruby Gyanghave all contributed to the label’s rich legacy of diverse talent.
Chocolate City’s Global Reach and Partnerships
Chocolate City has not only made waves within Nigeria but has also formed strategic partnerships with international organizations, expanding its global footprint. The label has worked with entities such as the British Counciland the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to promote and celebrate Nigerian creativity on the global stage.
In 2019, Chocolate City made a major move by partnering with Warner Music Group (WMG). This collaboration allows Chocolate City’s artists to benefit from WMG’s extensive distribution network and artist services through its independent label services division, ADA. This partnership further solidifies Chocolate City’s place in the international music ecosystem, providing artists with the resources to reach global audiences.
DMW (Davido Music Worldwide)
Davido Music Worldwide (DMW), founded by Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Davido in 2016, is one of the most influential record labels in Africa. Known for its roster of talented artists and its dynamic approach to the music industry, DMW has consistently been at the forefront of Afrobeats and urban music, both in Nigeria and beyond.
DMW’s Current Artists
DMW is home to some of Nigeria’s biggest and most exciting music talents. The label’s current roster includes:
- Davido: As the founder and primary artist of the label, Davido is a global Afrobeats icon. With multiple hit songs and international collaborations, he has elevated DMW to a household name across the world and recently released Awuke aongside YG Marley.
- Morravey: A promising new talent, Morravey joined DMW in 2023 and has already made her mark with a growing fan base.
- Logos Olori: Another fresh addition to the label in 2023, Logos Olori brings a unique style to DMW’s diverse roster.
- Yonda: Known for his distinctive sound and catchy tunes, Yonda has been with DMW since 2017 and continues to be a mainstay of the label’s success.
- Peruzzi: A highly respected artist and songwriter, Peruzzi has become a major force in Afropop, with several hit singles and collaborations under his belt.
- Idowest: A talented street-hop artist, Idowest has made a name for himself with his energetic style and solid hits.
- DJ Ecool: As Davido’s official DJ, DJ Ecoolis also an artist under the label, contributing to DMW’s sound with his DJ sets and music.
- Danagog and B-Red: These artists bring a blend of Afrobeat and hip-hop influences to the label, adding to the diverse musical range of DMW.
DMW was founded by Davido after he left HKN Music, a label he had co-founded with his cousin B-Red. Following the departure, Davido set out to create his own label with a focus on Afrobeats and urban music. Over the years, DMW has grown into a major player in the Nigerian music scene and promoting businesses and products including clothing products and skin care products.
Notable Former Acts and Producers
DMW has been home to several successful artists, some of whom have since moved on to pursue their own independent paths. These include:
- Mayorkun: One of DMW’s most successful artists, Mayorkun helped put the label on the map with hits like Mama and Che Che. He officially left the label in 2021 to pursue a solo career.
- Lil Frosh: After being signed in 2019, Lil Frosh was let go from the label in 2020 following allegations of domestic violence. His departure marked a significant moment in the label’s history.
- Dremo, Ichaba, Lola Rae, and Liya are also notable names who were once part of the DMW family, with each having left the label for various reasons over the years.
In addition to its roster of artists, DMW is home to some of the best producers in the Nigerian music industry. Fresh VDM and Speroach Beatz are two of the label’s key producers, known for their ability to craft chart-topping beats that have shaped the sound of Afrobeats. Other producers like Napji, Blaisebeatz and Magicboi have also contributed to the label’s success.
Spaceship Records
Spaceship Records, also known as Spaceship Entertainment or simply Spaceship, is a Nigerian-based record label founded by global Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy.
Spaceship Records was initially launched on February 18, 2015, by Burna Boy following his departure from Aristokrat Records. The label was created as a platform for Burna Boy to have greater control over his music and career, marking the beginning of a new era for one of the genre’s most prominent artists. In 2020, the label rebranded to Spaceship Records under the umbrella of Spaceship Collective, a larger entity that Burna Boy also holds a controlling share in.
In its early years, the label was home to Burna Boy, who quickly established himself as one of the leading figures in the global Afrobeats movement. The success of Burna Boy’s music, including his hit albums and chart-topping singles, played a key role in putting Spaceship on the map.
Spaceship Artists and Collaborations
Spaceship Records is home to a select group of talented artists, many of whom are known for their unique sound and contribution to the growth of Afrobeats:
- Burna Boy: As the founder and main artist, Burna Boy has made a significant impact not only in Nigeria but globally. His fusion of Afrobeat, dancehall, reggae, and pop influences has earned him numerous accolades, including a Grammy Award.
- Nissi: Nissi, Burna Boy’s sister, is another prominent artist signed to Spaceship. Known for her eclectic sound and powerful vocals, she is carving out a unique niche in the music industry, blending Afrobeats with pop and electronic influences.
- LeriQ: An accomplished producer and instrumental in shaping the sound of Afrobeats, LeriQ is a key producer at Spaceship Records. Known for his work with Burna Boy and other artists, LeriQ’s production style has earned him a reputation as one of the top producers in the Nigerian music scene.
- Telz: A talented music producer and instrumentalist, Telz is also part of the Spaceship team, contributing to the distinctive sound of the label. He has worked on several tracks that showcase his versatile production skills.
Buju’s Departure
One of the most notable events in Spaceship Records’ history was the signing and eventual departure of Buju (now known as BNXN). Buju joined the label in 2020, and during his time with Spaceship, he released notable tracks like the remix of Lenu alongside Burna Boy. However, after his one-year deal with the label expired in April 2021, Buju left to pursue a solo career. Despite his short stay at the label, his time with Spaceship helped him gain significant exposure and establish himself as a rising star in the Nigerian music industry.
