By Aderinola Omotosho
Grammy-nominated Nigerian producer Oluwaseyi Akerele, better known as Shizzi, has officially launched his own record label, OBG Records, short for Ordained By God. Famous for shaping some of Afrobeats’ biggest hits, this new venture signals more than a business move; it’s a faith-driven step that blends legacy with intention.
Shizzi explained that the idea for OBG didn’t come overnight. It grew from years of experience, reflection, and what he describes as divine timing. The name itself, Ordained By God, mirrors his belief that nothing in his journey has been accidental. For him, this label is about creating something that lasts.
Over the years, Shizzi has built a reputation as one of the quiet forces behind Afrobeats’ global rise. He’s the producer behind Davido’s Dami Duro, Wizkid’s Love My Baby, and Wande Coal’s Baby Face, among others. His sound has also reached beyond Africa, landing collaborations with the likes of Beyoncé and Chris Brown. Still, despite all the commercial success, Shizzi has often emphasized the need to protect the soul of the genre —the kind of music that moves people, not just charts. That belief sits right at the heart of OBG Records.
The label’s first artist, Tayor, has been in development for a while now. Shizzi described him as a unique voice he’s taken time to nurture, letting his sound mature before stepping out. Tayor’s debut single, Famous, is set to introduce that vision to the world, rolling out under the campaign #BetOnTayor.
For Shizzi, OBG feels like the natural next step. After more than a decade of producing for others, he’s ready to shape an ecosystem of his own, one built on mentorship, creative freedom, and purpose.
Of course, starting a label in today’s Nigerian music scene isn’t easy. It’s a fast-moving space packed with talent and constant change. But with Shizzi’s track record, experience, and clear sense of direction, OBG Records enters the scene with serious weight behind it.
More than anything, though, it’s a statement. A reminder that as Afrobeats keeps evolving and chasing global moments, there’s still value in slowing down and making music that comes from something more profound, music that, as Shizzi’s journey shows, can genuinely be ordained by God.
