The Nigerian music industry has over the years contributed vastly to the country’s socio economic development.

Apart from generating direct employment for thousands of young people, the sector, which is a subset of a buoyant entertainment, arts and culture industry, also puts money into the pockets of a large pool of stakeholders.

The industry is sustained in many parts by units and sub units, which spearheads its growth and challenges the system to ensure everyone is happy.

Key to the cycle of sustaining the Nigerian music industry, are record labels, whose job primarily over the years, has been to keep the industry afloat.

Mavin Records

Founded in 2012 by one of the country’s most respected music producers Don Jazzy, Mavin Records is home to some of Nigeria’s top rated acts.

Wande Coal, DR SID, D Prince and Tiwa Savage are all signed to the label.

Mavin was formed after the relationship between Don Jazzy and fellow associate D Banj went sour and both parties went their separate ways.

Mohits Records, which was being co-run by both artistes and used to a be a popular label back then, folded up, paving the way for Jazzy to branch out on his own. Although relatively young, the clout of its owner and artistes has ensured that within a relatively shorter time, it’s become extremely popular.

Its first compilation – Solar Plexus – was released to critical acclaim

Chocolate City

Arguably the most talked about label in Nigeria over the last few years, Chocolate City until the recent departures of Brymo and Jesse Jagz, had what could pass for an all-star team of artistes.

But even after losing two of its highly commercial acts, the label is still lucky to have in its fold M.I, one of Africa’s biggest rap acts, and BET-winner Ice Prince.

Other acts include DJ Caise, singer Nosa and Victoria Kimani, who is the first act to be signed under the label’s extension drive into Kenya – East Africa.

The label has partnered with numerous institutions locally and internationally, and is seen as a shining example of how labels should be managed.

It has affiliate offices dotted across the world, and also operates a group of entertainment sub divisions including Chocolate City Media and Chocolate City Distribution.

DB Records

New and fresh to the world of record labels, DB Records is owned by international act D Banj. Its core business includes artist management, content generation and distribution as well as general management.

DB becomes the second most recent label D Banj has worked on personally after the Mohits fiasco.

It is an independent entity that is operated separately from Kanye West’s G.O.O.D Music, which he is affiliated to.

D Banj’s younger brother Kay Switch (who also sings), Dee Vee, Isoul, and Jay Sleek are also signed onto the label.

The label is being positioned to “become the market leader in its service provision.”

Kennis Music

One of the pioneer labels responsible for the growth of Nigerian music across the world, Kennis Music is by far, the country’s most popular label of the last decade.

Its original owners Kenny Ogugbe and Dayo Adeneye were able to sustain the label’s growth, creating stars out of many of the country’s acts, the most popular being 2Face.

It has also worked with the likes of Sir Shina Peters, Sound Sultan, and Tony Tetuila, among others, and is responsible for producing the last few singles of the late reality show star and singer Goldie.

Trybe Records

Owned and bankrolled by eLDee, Trybe Records was founded in the late nineties (1998/1999) as an offshoot of the group Trybesmen, which he formed with fellow high school mate Kaboom.

Over the last fourteen years, it has played home to young, upcoming artistes; it continues to be a breeding ground for talents.

Female act Sasha, and Dr. Sid, who is now with Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records, as well as OlaDele and 2shots are some of the well-known names Trybes has worked with.

Currently signed to Trybes is Afro-soul singer Aramide, R&B singer Sojay, Hip-hop act Rukus, K9 and talented producer SARZ.


More Details here- http://nigerianschoolsonline.com.ng/index.php/blogs/entertainment/1274-5-most-popular-record-labels-in-nigeria

i like kennis music d most