This article will reveal to you about top 20 record labels in Nigeria in 2023.
It is no denying the fact that the music industry has grown so tremendously over the years.
I can still recall back in 2004 when I began my musical career, we had only Kennis music and Cornerstone as the only 2 record labels in Nigeria.
But today, when it comes to artiste management, music recording, and marketing; also known as promotion, there are various record labels in Nigeria that are capable of doing that.
But before I reveal 20 of those record labels; let me, first of all, reveal our own dear record label known as Taculia Records.
Taculia Records
Taculia Records is an upcoming online record label that manages and promotes upcoming musicians; especially in Nigeria, and even all over the world.
Presently though, this record label does not sign artists since we are still sourcing funds to enable us to pay artiste advancements.
So what we do is concentrate on using our expertise and tech know-how in the music industry to expose our artists and pitch them to the top record labels that might sign them.
To learn more about us, you can FOLLOW THIS LINK .
Top 20 Record Labels In Nigeria In 2023.
The top 20 record labels in Nigeria in 2023 are:
- Mavin Records.
- Kennis Music
- EME Records
- Chocolate City.
- YBNL Nation.
- Made Men Music
- G-World Entertainment
- Loveworld Records
- Kaycee Records.
- 960 Music.
- Capitol Hill Records.
- Five Star Music
- Star Boy Records
- HKN records
- Square Records.
- Alapomeji Ancestral Records..
- Karakuta Repiblic
- Edge Records
- Soul Musik.
- Mo Hitz Records.
1. Mavin Records.
Mavin Records was founded by the legendary Nigerian producer and singer known as Don Jazzy, after he parted ways from his friend and partner D’Banj, and left Mo’Hits Records they founded together.
This record label came to the limelight in 2014 when it released a hit track titled ‘Dorobucci’, a song that featured several artists who were signed to the label back then.
2. Kennis Music.
Kennis music was founded by a popular radio DJ known as Kenny Ogungbe in the late 90s.
And the label became a household name when it blew Innocent Idibia; currently referred to and known as 2Baba in the Nigerian music industry.
Aside from 2Baba, there are also lots of artists who became popular through this label.
They include Eedris Abdulkareem, the late Sound Sultan, the late OJB Jezreel, Eldee, KC Presh, the late Goldie, etc.
3. EME Records.
EME is an acronym for Empire States Entertainment; and it is a record label that was founded by popular Nigerian singer Bankole Wellington, musically known as Banky W.
Wizkid and Skales are 2 popular Nigerian artists that came to the limelight through this record label.
4. Chocolate City.
Chocolate city is one of the top 20 record labels in Nigeria in 2023, and it was founded as a nightclub.
The founders are: Audu Maikori, Paul Okeugo and Yahaya Maikori.
In 2012, the famous Nigerian rapper MI Abaga became the president of this record label, while business tycoon Hakeem Bello-Osagie became the chairman of the board.
5. YBNL Nation.
YBNL is an acronym for Yahoo Boys No Laptop, and it is one of the top 20 record labels in Nigeria in 2023, that was founded back in 2012 by popular Nigerian singer and rapper Olamide.
This record label has been a path of success for so many Nigerian artists like Adekunle Gold, Foreboy, Lil Kesh etc.
6. Made Men Music.
In 2010, Nigerian singer known as Ubi Franklin founded this record label known as Made men Music.
Before he ventured into music, Ubi Franklin was an assistant to popular Nollywood actor, Julius Agwu; and also worked with popular Nigerian comedian, AY.
One of the artists to grace the Nigerian music hall of fame through this record label is Iyanya.
7. G-Worldwide Entertainment.
Although this record label was established in 2007 by Festus Ehimare, popularly known as Emperor Geezy; they did not start promoting musical acts until 2013 when they signed Kizz Daniel.
In 2015, this record label will go on to sign reggae and RNB singer Sugar Boy.
8. Loveworld Records.
Even though this record label is strictly gospel, we thought it wise to include it on this list.
It was founded and established by renowned Nigerian preacher Chris Oyakhilome of the Christ Embassy.
This record label was established in 2009 and has paraded great gospel artists like Frank Edwards, Sinach, Ada Ehi, and Buchi amongst many others.
9. Kaycee Records.
This record label was established by 2 Nigerians in the United Kingdom, Kennedy Kesidi Richard, and Kingsley Chibuzor Aguoru.
Though this record label has been promoting artists as far back as 1995, in 2010 they expanded and launched the label revealing their foremost artiste.
Currently, we have Safin De Coque, son of the legendary Nigerian singer Oliver De Coque signed to this record label.
10. 960 Music.
960 music was founded in 2013 and is currently the first label to have other labels working under it.
Notable record labels under the label include Hypertek Digital, Aristocrat Records, Ultima Production, and Password.
2face, Danny Crane and Burna Boy are the popular Nigerian artists to identify themselves with this record label.
11. Capitol Hill Records.
Popular music video director and cinematographer Clarence Peters, son of legendary Nigerian singer Sir Shina Peters is the owner of this record label.
This record label currently has artists like Ill Bliss, Da Suspect, etc working under it.
12. Five Star Music.
Five Star Music belongs to Nigerian business mogul Emeka Okonkwo, a.k.a E-Money.
E-Money is the younger brother of popular Nigerian singer Kingsley Okonkwo, a.k.a Kcee.
This record label was also home to popular Nigerian producer and singer Harrysong.
13. Starboy Records.
Starboy records are one of the top 20 record labels in Nigeria which belongs to the popular Nigerian singer, Wizkid.
Consequently, this record label was birth in 2013 after Wizkid exited EME Records.
14. HKN Records.
HKN is an acronym for Honorable Kings Of New School.
And this record label belongs to popular Nigerian singer, David Adeleke, a.k.a Davido.
David has his cousins Shina Rambo and B-Red sign to this record label.
15. Square Records.
Popular Nigerian twins and duo, Psquare are the owners of this record label.
But once upon a time, they attempted to sign an artiste known as May D to the label, but a little misuderstanding saw them pursuing the artiste from the label.
Although Psquare later broke up and both brothers Peter and Paul went on to pursue their solo careers; they later reconciled in 2021 and we hope this label will still be relevant in 2022.
16. Alapomeji Ancestral Records.
This top Nigerian record label was founded in 2022 by a popular Nigerian singer who goes by the name Abolore Akande a.k.a 9ice.
17. Kalakuta Republic.
Kalakuta republic is a record label that was founded by legendary Nigerian musician, Fela Kuti.
However, Kalakuta was not only a record label as it also has a free health clinic.
As a matter of fact, this record label was once burnt down by soldiers after Fela released a song titled: Zombie which seems to ridicule the Nigerian government.
Consequently, his mother was also thrown from the window of the building and she later died as a result of injuries incurred in the accident.
18. Edge Record.
This record label came into existence in 2005 and it was made possible by Ibrahi Akulaja and Jahbless.
Consequently, the first musical act on this label was 9ice.
Consequently, the current artists on the record label include Reminisce, Ola Dips, and Sojay.
19. Soul Muzik.
Soul Muzik is one of the top 20 record labels in Nigeria and belongs to legendary Nigerian singer, Dare Art Alaye a.k.a Darey.
20. Mo Hitz Records.
The list is not complete if we don’t mention this record label.
As a matter of fact, though this record label went underground after the split of co-founders Don Jazzy and D’Banj; it is still important to mention it as one of the top record labels in Nigeria.
