Over the past few years, the phrase “Dagbana Republik Records / EMPIRE” has been showing up in search engines and music conversations.
Fans of Bella Shmurda in particular want to know what it means: is Dagbana Republik Records part of EMPIRE? Is EMPIRE just a distributor? Or is there a deeper partnership?
In this guide, we’ll break everything down in detail — who Bella Shmurda is, the role of his label Dagbana Republik Records, what EMPIRE does in the global music scene, and how their connection works.
By the end, you’ll understand why this partnership matters for Nigerian music and for the African music industry as a whole.
Who is Bella Shmurda?
Bella Shmurda, born Akinbiyi Abiola Ahmed, is one of Nigeria’s fastest-rising Afrobeats stars. He gained attention with his breakthrough single Vision 2020 and rose to prominence after collaborating with Olamide and the YBNL family on the remix.
Since then, Bella has built a reputation for making music that blends street-inspired lyrics with Afrobeats, highlife, and contemporary Afro-fusion. His fanbase, known as the Dangbana Republik, has pushed his songs into millions of streams across Spotify, Audiomack, Boomplay, and Apple Music.
What is Dagbana Republik Records?
Dagbana Republik Records is the independent record label founded by Bella Shmurda. It’s more than just a music imprint — it also represents a community and movement around Bella’s music and his social values.
The label is known for:
Philanthropy: Dagbana Republik supports charitable causes, especially in education and youth development.
Artist-driven model: Bella maintains control of his creative direction while using the label as a platform for releases.
Strong fan identity: Fans call themselves Dangbana Republik, making the label name part of Bella’s personal brand.
Through this label, Bella releases his music independently, but he leverages distribution and partnership networks to reach a wider audience.
What is EMPIRE?
EMPIRE Distribution (often just called EMPIRE) is a major independent music company based in San Francisco, USA. It provides:
Digital distribution to streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, Boomplay, etc.)
Marketing and promotion support, including playlist pitching
Licensing and publishing opportunities for songs and albums
Analytics and reporting, giving artists insight into their streaming data
Global reach, with offices in the U.S., U.K., Africa, and Asia
In Africa, EMPIRE has become a key player, distributing music for stars like Fireboy DML, Olamide, and Kizz Daniel. For independent labels and artists, EMPIRE offers a way to stay independent while still gaining international visibility.
Dagbana Republik Records / EMPIRE: The Connection
So what does Dagbana Republik / EMPIRE actually mean?
It refers to the distribution partnership between Bella Shmurda’s independent label (Dagbana Republik Records) and EMPIRE. While Dagbana Republik owns and controls Bella’s music, EMPIRE helps distribute it globally, ensuring that new singles and albums appear on major streaming platforms, playlists, and charts.
This arrangement allows Bella to:
Keep ownership of his masters
Maintain independence and creative freedom
Benefit from EMPIRE’s powerful distribution and marketing network
Access international audiences beyond Nigeria
For fans, this means that Bella’s music — though released under Dagbana Republik — often appears with “Dagbana Republik Records / EMPIRE” credits on streaming platforms.
Notable Releases Under Dagbana Republik / EMPIRE
Some of Bella Shmurda’s works that have been released through this partnership include:
“Hypertension” (2022 album) – widely streamed across global platforms
Singles like “Cash App” and “Party Next Door” – which gained traction internationally thanks to EMPIRE’s distribution reach
Other collaborations and projects listed under “Dagbana Republik Records / EMPIRE” on digital stores like Qobuz and Apple Music
This shows how EMPIRE plays a role behind the scenes in ensuring Bella’s independent releases get global exposure.
Why This Partnership Matters
For Bella Shmurda
Independence with structure: Bella can remain true to his vision without being locked into a traditional label contract.
Global reach: EMPIRE’s network makes his music available worldwide.
More royalties: Independent distribution often means better revenue splits.
For Other Artists
Proof of concept: Bella’s success shows that artists can own their labels and still partner with big distributors.
Inspiration: More Nigerian and African artists are considering independent routes with distributors like EMPIRE.
For the Industry
Changing power dynamics: African artists are no longer fully dependent on local or international majors.
Growth of Afrobeats: EMPIRE’s involvement has boosted African music’s global rise.
FAQs About Dagbana Republik Records / EMPIRE
- Is Dagbana Republik Records owned by EMPIRE?
No. Dagbana Republik Records is an independent label founded by Bella Shmurda. EMPIRE only provides distribution and related services. - Why do songs appear under “Dagbana Republik / EMPIRE”?
Because EMPIRE distributes the music globally. The credit acknowledges both the independent label (Dagbana Republik) and the distributor (EMPIRE). - Does Bella Shmurda still own his masters?
Yes, since Dagbana Republik is his label, Bella retains control of his masters while partnering with EMPIRE for reach. - Can other artists join Dagbana Republik / EMPIRE?
Dagbana Republik is Bella’s label. However, EMPIRE signs distribution deals directly with independent artists and labels across Africa. - What’s the benefit of this model?
Artists get global exposure without giving up independence, ownership, or creative control.
Conclusion
The keyword “Dagbana Republik Records / EMPIRE” represents more than just a label name. It’s a symbol of how Nigerian artists like Bella Shmurda are navigating today’s music industry — blending independence with global reach.
Bella’s label, Dagbana Republik Records, gives him ownership and freedom, while EMPIRE provides the distribution power to take his music to the world.
For fans, this means more consistent access to his songs across platforms. For the industry, it signals a shift: African artists no longer need to rely solely on traditional record label contracts to succeed globally.
As Bella Shmurda and other Afrobeats stars continue to grow, expect to see the Dagbana Republik / EMPIRE partnership mentioned even more often.
