By Jeremiah Aminu
Within the musical space, record labels stand as key agents that contribute to the progression and distribution of music across the globe. In Nigeria, these music-oriented corporations have contributed to the promotion of Afrobeats, as well as other musical genres (such as hip-hop, amapiano, afropiano, and alte) within and outside the borders of Nigeria. For instance, we have record label giants such as Mavin, YBNL (Yahoo Boy No Laptop), DMW (David Music Worldwide), and many other reputable labels that have raised global stars such as Rema, Fireboy, Davido, Asake, Olamide, and many other superstars that have taken Afrobeats across the shores of Nigeria to even dominate global Billboard charts. This, thus, demonstrates the significant role that these bodies play in the promotion of Nigerian music.
To proceed, the Nigerian music space is one that is highly competitive with different record labels producing talents who produce hits that accentuate their influence. In assessing the degree of their influence within the Nigerian music terrain, two parameters are central—the commercial and artist performance metrics.
On the one hand, the commercial metric focuses on components such as the label’s net worth, distribution partnerships, and investments. On the other hand, the artist metric covers the artist’s popularity, stream count, Billboard charts success, and award recognitions (both nationally and internationally). Overall, they determine the success and influential status of record labels within the music industry.
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Notably, there are five Nigerian record label titans who have continually held their ground in the battle for influence in the Nigerian musical space. This competition still continues to thrive in 2025. It is, thus, the focus of this article to examine these top five record labels with reference to the commercial and artist metrics.
Mavin Records
Mavin Records, established by Michael Collins Ajereh (a.k.a Don Jazzy) in 2012, stands as one of the prime record label giants in Nigeria due to its impact in the promotion of Nigerian music within and outside the country. Since its establishment, it has raised and promoted superstars such as Korede Bello, Reekado Banks, Di’ja, Tiwa Savage, Dr Sid and many other musical talents. Recording artists who are currently signed to its roster include Rema, Ayra Starr, Johnny Drille, Crayon, Magixx, Ladipoe, Boy Spyce, Bayanni, and Lifesize Teddy.
This record label also possesses a monumental track record. It won the City People Entertainment Awards in 2014 as the best record label of the year. More recently, in the 2025 Headies Award, four artistes under the label received twenty-one (21) nominations in different award categories—Rema received nine nominations; Ayra Starr received eight nominations; Johnny Drille received two nominations; and Ladipoe received two nominations as well.
Notably, artists under the label have released hit singles that have garnered international recognition on Billboard charts. An instance is Rema’s “Calm Down” featuring Selena Gomez which was one of the top three songs on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was also said to arguably be one of the most viewed videos of all time by an African artist on YouTube, and the first African artist-led track to surpass one billion streams on Spotify.
These insurmountable feats have also resulted in partnerships that are focused on promoting talents within the record label to dominate the fast-rising African creative market. The UMG investment deal in the label is proof of this which is aimed at providing a ground on which musical talents from the label can thrive and flourish. According to UMG (Universal Music Group), this “partnership will accelerate Mavin’s strategic advancement and create more opportunities to break more talent globally, expand the reach of its existing roster and continue building its business into a super-serving, pan-African entertainment company. This mission is anchored in two initiatives: Mavin’s Artist Academy, which trains new talent in music and performance skills and builds connections within the roster, and their executive leadership program, which seeks to develop the next generation of music industry talent in Africa”.
Davido Music Worldwide (DMW)
Davido Music Worldwide, established by David Adedeji Adeleke (popularly known as Davido) in 2016, stands as one of the foremost Nigerian labels within the country. This record label has fostered and promoted artists such as Dremo, Peruzzi, Mayorkun, Yonda, and many other musical talents. At present, artistes under the label include Davido, Morravey, Boi Chase, Mightyyout, Toye and Logos Olori, including Fresh VDM and Speroach Beatz as the label’s music producers.
The record label also possesses a remarkable track record. In 2018, for instance, DMW won six awards at the City People Music Awards, especially the best record label of the year. What is more, following the release of his album, “Timeless”, it surpassed a billion streams across different streaming platforms, including Apple Music and Spotify. Not only that, in 2018, Davido also won the BET Award for the “Best International Act (Africa)” and has subsequently received four Grammy nominations, alongside many other grand achievements that are associated with Davido’s music career. All of these point to the prime status of Davido Music Worldwide (DMW) within the Nigerian musical space and beyond.
YBNL (Yahoo Boy No Laptop) Nation
YBNL Nation, founded by Olamide Gbenga Adedeji (popularly known as Olamide Baddo) in 2012, stands as one of the widely recognised “gatekeepers” in the Nigerian music industry. This label has fostered and advanced the careers of superstars, some of whom include Adekunle Gold, Fireboy, Lil Kesh, Temmie Ovwasa, and Lyta. Currently, its roster includes recording artists such as Olamide, Fireboy, and Kush Berry with P-Prime, Young Jonn, and Pheelz as music producers associated with the label, as stated by Taculia Records.
YBNL Nation’s numerous awards, stream counts, and nominations are a testament to its monumental status within the Nigerian music industry. In 2016, it secured the “Record Label of the Year Award” at the City People Entertainment Awards. Furthermore, in 2022, Olamide’s album, “Carpe Diem” won the “Album of the Year” award at the Headies. In 2024, Olamide also received a Grammy nomination alongside one of his former signees, Asake, for the hit single, “Amapiano”. To add to this, Asake also became the third Nigerian recording artist, after Davido and Wizkid, to sell out the 02 Arena. This year (2025), Olamide was recognised by Billboard as one of its key 2025 Global Players due to his contributions to the promotion of Nigerian music within the national and international entertainment market.
Chocolate City Music
Chocolate City Music, established by Audu Maikori, Paul Okeugo, and Yahaya Maikori in 2005, is one of the most successful record labels within the Nigerian and African music industry. At present, this label is home to recording artists such as Young Jonn, Blaqbonez, Candy Bleakz, Noon Dave, Femi Kuti, Tar1Q, and Major AJ. It has also fostered the careers of talents formerly signed to its roster like Ckay, M.I Abaga, Koker, Ice Prince, Victoria Kimani, DJ Caise, DJ Lambo, Jeremiah Gyang, Ruby Gyang, Pryse, Brymo, Dice Ailes, and Jesse Jagz.
Since its establishment, this label has also secured partnerships with popularly recognised music corporations within the international space. In 2019, Warner Music Group, one of the foremost musical corporations in the international space, announced its partnership with the label. According to the label, this partnership will enable artists under its roster to “join WMG’s repertoire and receive the support of the company’s distribution and artist services via its independent label services division, ADA”.
Chocolate City was also the first music corporation to be recognised by the British Council and has, since then, collectively worked with the Nigerian federal government to promote “creative industries and capacity-building projects in and around Nigeria”. It is for this reason that Chocolate City remains a household name in the Nigerian music industry.
emPawa Africa
emPawa Africa is a music enterprise, launched in 2018 by Mr Eazi (Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade), to cater for and support up-and-coming artists in Africa. It also provides mentorship to a hundred artists annually, together with a $3000 grant to support their burgeoning careers. What is more, over forty-seven (artistes) have released music on this platform, some of which include Mr Eazi (himself), Joeboy, Fave, E Kelly, Majeed, Ruth Ronnie, King Promise, Killertunes, Major Lazer, and Lil Frosh.
This label also boasts an impressive track record. One of its reputable artists, Joeboy, bagged multiple nominations across different platforms such as the City People Music Awards, the Headies, the Soundcity MVP Awards Festival, and the All Africa Music Awards. His song, “Alcohol”, was also ranked second on the Billboard Global Triller Chart.
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Regarding its partnerships with other corporations, it partnered with YouTube in 2019 to foster the careers of ten emerging artists. It also announced its partnership with Kobalt Music Group which was aimed at providing additional opportunities for artists under the label regarding music distribution and licensing. This list of achievements underscores emPawa Africa as one of the big names among the most influential record labels in the Nigerian music industry.
