The top 10 record labels that signed artists in Nigeria will not stop to rave the moment like some storm at least in this period where good songs sung by a whole new set of talented artists continually hit the market both within and without the Nigerian borders. Most of these songs are not of course produced by just a single record label. There are other major record labels that are vibing on the Nigerian soil catching and signing new talents, and then subsequently producing the hot songs that won’t stop to jam the street.
There are more than 10 record labels in Nigeria. Many of them are however independent and cannot produce bigger artist or even create that publicity for new multitalented artists in the market. This is why we will be concentrating only on the few major record labels that operate based on the universal standards to sign and produce beats and the fan base for artists who also dream the same feat.
Top 10 Record Labels that Signed Artists in Nigeria.
This content will be sharing with you some of the top 10 record labels that signed artists in Nigeria and this list is not merely decided because of some biased understanding of them, but because it is a public consensus having looked deeply through the music scene.
1. YBNL
This is no doubt one of the most popular major record labels which has found itself among the top 10 record labels that signed artists in Nigeria. It is named after Olamide Badoo’s second album. The name means YAHOO BOY NO LAPTOP. YBNL has so far signed and produced talented and awarding-winning artists like the following from its first date of establishment to recent time:
- Lil Kesh
- Vector
- Chinko Ekun
- Dj Enimoney
- Adekunle Gold
- Fire Boy
- Jayboi
- Precious
- B.Banks
- Whizhablbaby
- Young John
- Pheelz,
- Dj Enimoney
2. Starboy Entertainment
As another reliable one of the top 10 record labels that signed artists in Nigeria, the STARBOY Ent. was named after Wizkid 2016 music hit album. The owner, Wizkid, is no doubt a Grammy award winner. Wizkid narrated that his aim of creating the label was to uplift or nurture upcoming talents in the Nigerian Society. The list of artists the record label has produced are below:
- L.A.X
- Efya
- R2Bees
- Maleek Berry
- Legendary Beatz
- Terri, and many more.
3. Mavins Records
The head of the major record label is Don Jazzy. The Mavin records has been a major label since the days of DBanj, who is almost like a co-producer of the popular MO ‘Hits Records as well as a major award-winning artist signed to the record label as at then. It has operation signed quite a lot of artists to itself and many of these artists are undeniably doing well in the music industry both in Nigeria and beyond. The list is:
- Rema
- Dr sid
- Ayra starr
- Korede Bello
- D’Prince
- Tiwa Savage
- Johnny Drille
- Boy Spyce
- Many more…
4. DMW
The full meaning of the label is Davido Music Worldwide. It is a private music company owned by the Afrobeats singer, Davido since 2016. DMW has won the award for the record label of the year three consecutive times which were 2017, 2018, and 2019 all on the Beatz and City People Music awards. Its list of artists are:
- Peruzzi
- Idowest
- Danagog
- Dremo
- Yonda
- Deinde
- Dj Ecool
- Ayanfe
- B-red
5. G-Worldwide Entertainment
This label really deserves to be mentioned here as one of the top 10 record labels that signed artists in Nigeria judging from its past and present performances, it was founded in 2007 by Festus Ehimare, also called Emperor Geezy. This name is usually shouted by Kiss Daniel each of his songs. The only artist that is known with the major record label is Kiss Daniel and he is no doubt doing well all over the world.
6. Marlian
The Marlians record label was a popular one in Nigeria and it was founded by the controversial Musician, Azeez Fashiola, A.K.A Naira Marley in 2020. Since this period, the Marlian record label has been producing and signing hit songs and talented artists back to back respectively. The list of leading artists on the record label are:
- Mohbad
- Zinoleesky
- Dj Lambo
- Brymo
- Blaqbonez Cblack
- Fabian
7. Chocolate City
Founded in 2005 by Audu Maikori with support from Paul Okeugo and Yahaya Maikori, the Chocolate City Record Label has its head-quarter in Lagos, Abuja, Nairobi, and New York City. In 2011, ice prince won the award for this label as the African rapper to win the BET awards. In 2007, Chocolate City was the first label to obtain a global music award and recognition by the British Council, international young music entrepreneur of the year (IYMEY). Being one of the strongest and popular brands in Nigeria, it has signed and produced artists like
- Ice Prince
- Jesse Jagz
- M.I
- Brymo
- Koker
- Ruby
- Dice Ailes
8. Five Star Music
Supported firmly by the wealth and high music business IQ of the prominent Nigeria billionaire, Emeka Okwonkwo, popularly known as E-Money, the Five Star record label made it to the top 10 record labels that signed artists in Nigeria with many contributions from the popular Afrobeats singer Kcee. Artists signed under this record label are
- Kcee
- Skibii
- Harrysong
9. PentHauze Muzik
PentHauze Muzik record label is one of the top 10 record labels that signed artists in Nigeria. This label came into existence in 2008 with one of Nigeria’s best rappers and singers, Phyno who has bagged like 28 nominations and 5 awards. He was also nominated 15 times for The Headies Award and bagged it home 3 times. The other artists signed to the company were the likes of:
- Runtown
- Shugaboi
- Flipside
- Storm
10. Kennis Music
Kennis Music record label is ceratinly the first on the list. It is the most popular of the major record labels in Africa, and particularly in Nigeria. It joined the race as far back as 1998, it was launched by Kehinde Ogungbe, nicknamed Keke, and the label was later supported by the arrival of Dayo Adeniyi, also monikered D1. There is wide and long list of award-winning and world-renowned artists signed and produced by this major record label, but we shall mention a few of them here:
- 2baba
- OJB Jezreel
- Late Sound Sultan
- Eedris Abdulkareem
- Kenny Saint Brown
- Essence
- Capital Femi
- Jo-El
- Many more
