While Nigerian music has always bloomed like a flower in a dark room, the industry tangibly began building development blocks at the dawn of the 21st century.
This was in the aftermath of the 1970s civil war and the 1980s/1990s military rule. International labels like Polygram, Arista Record, BMI, etc., had left our shores when business wasn’t profitable.
But like the giants we are, Nigerians banded together and started creating our record labels brick by brick. A labor of love. It took a literal village to build these labels, and in some cases, people had to come from far and wide to set up shop, culminating in the industry we see today.
Let us look at the top Nigerian record label executives by decades.
The 2000s
Here are the top record executives who shaped Nigerian music in the first decade of the 21st century:
Keke & D1
Kehinde ‘Keke’ Ogungbe and Dayo ‘D1’ Adeneye are Kennis Music’s CEOs and former music show AIT/Primetime Jamz presenters. They played a huge role in launching the careers of renowned musicians like The Remedies (Tony Tetuila, Eedris Abdulkareem, and Eddy Montana), Plantashun Boyz (2Face Idibia, Blackface and Faze), Sound Sultan, Jaywon, etc.
Obi Asika
The current Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, Obi Asika, has lived many lives in the entertainment space. For one, he founded Storm Records, a record label that housed the likes of Naeto C, Banky W, and Sasha P. Also, Asika is also an entrepreneur and has been involved in the production of multiple reality TV shows in Nigeria.
Don Jazzy
Michael ‘Don Jazzy’ Ajereh is a name that needs no introduction. He co-founded Mo’ Hits record with D’banj and blazed a trail in the industry. He launched the careers of D’banj, Wande Coal, and Dr. Sid to enormous success and was also a music producer.
Audu Maikori
Audu Maikori co-founded Chocolate City Music and signed the likes of Jeremiah Gyang, M.I., Ice Prince, and Jesse Jagz. He has also worked in public service in youth empowerment and as a judge in the first season of Nigerian Idol.
The 2010s
We couldn’t have had the ‘Afrobeats to the World’ movement without these people:
Olamide
Olamide Adedeji created his record label YBNL (Yahoo Boy No Laptop) when he dropped his sophomore album at 23. A commercial juggernaut, he signed Lil Kesh, Adekunle Gold, Fireboy, etc., while affiliated with numerous other artists and giving them a platform to shine.
Don Jazzy
After Mo’Hits disbanded, Don Jazzy went on to start Mavin Records. He signed Tiwa Savage, Reekado Banks, Korede Bello, Di’Ja, Crayon, Ayra Starr, Rema, and many others to colossal success.
Peedi Picasso
Piriye Isokari had just relocated back to Port Harcourt after his studies overseas when he founded Aristokrat Records. He struck gold on his first try with the irrepressible Burna Boy. Over time, he signed more artists like Ozone, Mojeed, and Ria Sean.
Audu Maikori
In his next decade atop the Chocolate City Music hierarchy, Audu solidified his standing and signed the likes of A-Q, CKay, and Blaqbonez. They have gone on to bring more success to the team.
Banky W
A signee of Obi Asika’s Storm Records, Banky W co-founded Empire Mates Entertainment (EME). He signed Skales, Niyola, Shaydee, Wizkid, etc., of which the latter became a generational star.
Davido
While he is more famous for his musical success, Davido is equally adept at the business side of the game. He founded DMW (Davido Music Worldwide) and signed Mayorkun, Dremo, Peruzzi alongside others. After some years, he rebranded DMW and signed Logos Olori and Morravey.
The 2020s
Consolidating on past wins, these executives played their roles in taking the game to the next level.
Olamide
Olamide pulled a rabbit out of a hat when he signed Asake in 2022. From that time until now, it’s been nothing short of a mad musical miracle. Furthermore, his former producer protegees, Young Jonn and Pheelz, have also evolved into notable artistes in their own right.
Don Jazzy
Don Jazzy is an ever-present figure in Nigerian pop culture and has been as decisive as ever in this new decade. Signing new talents like Magixx, Bayanni, Lifesize Teddy, and Boy Spyce, the Mavin machine shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Dvpper
Damilola Akinwunmi has changed the game in a short while. Dapper Music is changing the tapestry of the game by providing a haven for typically maligned artists from the street. It is home to artists like Shallipoppi, T.I. Blaze, and Seyi Vibez, amongst others.
D’Prince
Born Charles Enebeli, D’Prince is the junior brother of Don Jazzy. Forged from the fires of Mo’Hits, he started Jonzing World and has signed Rema, Ruger, Gdzilla, etc., to great acclaim.
Valo
Valentine ‘Valo’ Ngaji co-founded Keyqaad and signed Omah Lay, M3lon, and Kaestyle. He went from being a recording artist to a radio on-air personality (OAP) before settling into the shoes of an exec.
Final thoughts
These record executives have largely moved the needle in African music and impacted it heavily. Over the years, many of them have evolved into numerous roles and mentored artists or other staff who turned into executives.
While foreign investments and labels are currently running the industry, we can’t but pay homage to the ones who were there before them. The foundation of our meteoric rise, and the conduit by which our music has found homes abroad.
Join us in celebrating Legacy
We are celebrating Legacy at Insert Nights
