In as much as music is a hobby and source of pleasure for most, it has evolved over time into a multi-million dollar industry that a lot of people are profiting from. One of such money generating sectors in the music game is record labels.
A lot of efforts and structures go into creating a running an establishment and it’s no different for record labels. It’s a business enterprise, there’s no two way about it, and the best hands and minds have to be recruited to make it work.
The advent of local labels in Nigeria started with the boom of Hip-Hop in the country and some labels laid the path for the many active labels in the music scene today. Here a quick rundown of some of them:
TRYBE RECORDS
Trybe Records is Nigeria’s first independent record label. It was established by eLDee in 1998 to promote the music from the group he had formed – Trybesmen.
The label was home to eLDee, Kaboom and Freestyle who made up the group Trybesmen.
Fast forward to 2002, eLDee signed 16 more artistes and the label was rebranded as Da Trybe. With several artistes leaving, eLDee signed new young artistes; K9, Sojay, Sarz, Aramide, Eva Alordiah, Rukus, to his new rebranded label Trybes 2.0.
Despite being an independent label, Trybe Records was successful, it’s one of the few independent labels to have sold over 10 millions copies of albums in Nigeria.
KENNIS MUSIC
Kennis Music is a Nigerian record label founded in 1998 by the popular Raypower FM DJ, Kehinde “Kenny” Ogungbe.
The company’s slogan is “Africa’s No 1 Record Label” and for the most part of the 2000s they backed up that claim as the undoubted leader of the pack, with a roster that featured the biggest names in Hip Hop, Pop and R&B. Under the leadership of the CEOs Kehinde “Keke” Ogungbe and Dayo “D1” Adeneye, artistes such as 2face Idibia, OJB Jeezrel, Sound Sultan, Tony Tetuila, Lagbaja, Eedris Abdulkareem and KC Presh blessed the Nigerian and African music scene with many classic hit songs and albums.
The last decade has however seen a decline in the fortunes and popularity of the label following strong allegations that artistes under the label were being cheated and mismanaged. They have not signed any new artiste in the last six years and the founder has stated the label is looking for shift in focus from music promotion to another aspect of the entertainment industry.
STORM RECORDS
Storm Records was founded in 1991 by Obi Asika, it was one of the first few indigenous record labels in Nigeria. Storm first signed artiste was the duo Junior and Pretty. After a couple of years, Storm Records rebranded to become Storm 360.
Storm 360 had Darey Art Alade, Jazzman Olofin, Sasha P, Naeto C, Ikechukwu, GT da Guitarman, LOS, Yung 6, Sauce Kid, General Pype and couple other artistes under its wings. It was one of the most successful record labels to have graced the Nigerian music scene. At its height, Storm 360 was a huge competition for anyone else in the industry.
Reports of the label not being able to look out for it artistes broke out and subsequent feuds let to it’s demise.
MO’HITS
Mo’Hits was founded by Don Jazzy and D’Banj in 2004. D’Banj was the first signed artiste and he dropped his first album under the imprint in 2005. Don Jazzy was the President, while D’Banj was a co-owner.
Mo’Hits had D’Banj, Wande Coal, Dr. Sid, K-Switch and D’Prince in their ranks.
Mo’Hits dominated the late 2000s and the 2010s with its constant release of hits like; “Why Me”, “Ololufe”, “Bumber to Bumper” as well as a compilation album titled “Curriculum Vitae” in 2007.
It was widely considered as one of the most successful record labels in Nigeria.
In March 2012, Mo’Hits came to an end as the partnership between Don Jazzy and D’Banj went south. Don Jazzy went on to create his own label Mavin Records while D’Banj started DKM.
CHOCOLATE CITY
Chocolate City Music is a Nigerian record label founded in the year 2005 by the trio of Audu Maikori, Paul Okeugo and Yahaya Maikori. Interestingly, the Chocolate City has evolved from a nightclub to a music promotions outfit in Northern Nigeria before eventually taking the step up to a full record label. The first artiste on its roster was Jeremiah Gyang and he went on to release the hit album “Na Ba Ka”, bringing himself and the label much critical acclaim.
Chocolate City went on to discover and manage the artistes Djinee, M.I, Aṣa, Jesse Jagz, Ice Prince and Brymo whose stellar works have helped establish the label’s current standing as one of the biggest in Africa.
Rapper MI took over as CEO from Audu Maikori in 2015 while Ice Prince became the Vice President of the label, and in March 2019, Warner Music Group announced partnership with Chocolate City meaning that Chocolate City artists will join WMG’s roster and receive distribution services from the foreign music group. An exciting development indeed.
As of now, the Chocolate City Music roster boasts of artistes such as Nosa, BlaqBonez, ClassiQ, and Yung L, with Femi Kuti also enrolled in management capacity.
EMPIRE MATES ENTERTAINMENT
EME was founded in 2002 by Tunde Demuren and Bankole Wellington (Banky W) in New York, Banky W established the label in 2008 upon his return to Nigeria.
In 2009, Banky W signed Wizkid and Skales to the label, and in 2012, Niyola, DJ Xclusive and Shaydee were signed to the label.
EME attained great success with Wizkid being its most successful artiste.
In 2012, EME released a compilation album titled Empire Mates Entertainment – Empire Mates State of Mind and it had hits like “Baddest Boy” and “Dance For Me”.
Following the departure of Wizkid and the inability of the label to find a replacement, the label gradually lost its start power and several other artistes left as well.
EME is now a talent management company focused on advertising, PR and brand events.
