Best Record Labels In Lagos

Record labels oversee the recruitment, management, and promotion of upcoming or existing artists who in turn tremendously help their businesses grow. There are two types of labels – major labels and independent ones. Signing with any of these labels significantly impacts your future in the music industry.  In this article, we discuss the Best Record Label In Lagos to help you make the right choice.

The Nigerian music industry is best described as a ‘universal set’, the record labels subsets, and the artists signed to them the populations in each subset. These subsets house a vast network of performers that produce musical content and market it to the public. They have artists, producers, DJs, dancers, and every kind of music professional whose main goal is to deliver good music while making profits for the label.

Independent labels are smaller musical companies with limited budgets, while major labels sign star artists on contracts and pay them handsomely for their work.

You’ve probably heard how the music industry is hard and has many obstacles. Well, the 7 best record labels in Lagos, beg to differ. Keep reading to find out which labels made our list and how you can contact them.

What Is A Record Label?

Record labels are the heart of the Nigerian music industry. They are charged with the responsibility of distributing and promoting music in soft, digital, and hard copy formats to music stores, websites, and other marketplaces worldwide.

They also support you in shooting music videos, matching you with brands and other artists, and helping you produce new songs.

Labels engage in a range of functions in the industry, including new artist recruitment and development (A&R, which stands for artist and repertoire), music publishing, and copyright enforcement.

How Do Record Labels Deals Work?

Record Label Deals are a complex part of joining an artist management company. Here we explain the steps it entails and how signing one with a record label in Lagos works.

• You sign a contract that states the agreement between you (the artiste) and your boss (the label).
• Per the contract, the record label will pay you for record sales and help you secure life-changing deals in the industry.
• The label funds your music career and development by producing, distributing, and marketing your songs.
• The company will have a share in your earnings as stated in the contract.
• When the record label signs you, the money paid to you is called an “advance”.

How Does A Record Label In Lagos Make Money?

Record labels make a huge part of their money when artists’ music is purchased or licensed for use. They also earn profits from marketing, royalties, album sales, touring, endorsement deals, merchandise, gigs, concerts, or anything else they can sell.

The goal of a label is to make money while you do the same too. You get the fame and recognition, while they rack in billions. Record labels are a business and their dream is to get rich as you become richer. This is why they go for prospects they know will make them money.

On average, you’ll earn between ₦3,000,000 to ₦25,000,000 in signing fees the label gives to you as upcoming artistes.

Labels are essential to your success as an artist, so you must sign a deal with any of the best record labels in Lagos we mention in our article.

How We Chose The Best Record Labels In Lagos

If you’ve closely followed the evolution of music in Nigeria, you’ll know that a lot of greats have performed in this scene. 

But, many of them have fizzled out over the years or become legends told as tales by people who remember a time when they ruled the country’s music scene.

That being said, a few record labels in Lagos are currently making waves in the entertainment industry. They appear in our posts, and this is how we chose them.

• Artist support and promotion.
• The success rate of its artists.
• The number of hit songs they’ve produced.
• The years it’s existed in the music industry.
• Influence and popularity of the artists in Nigeria and worldwide.

7 Best Record Labels In Lagos

1. Mavin

2. YBNL

3. Davido Music Worldwide

4. Starboy Entertainment

5. Jonzing World

6. Chocolate City

7. Universal Music Group Nigeria

Best Record Labels In Lagos

Anybody can spot talent, but it takes a special type of skill to not just recognize it but also nurture, harness it, and make it a household name. 

These 7 best record labels in Lagos we mentioned have consistently proven over the years that they have mastered this process. An action that is evident in the lives and success of the artists in their care.

1. Mavin

Mavin Global is an African leading entertainment company and the best record label in Lagos. They won an award for Best Record Label of the Year in the aforementioned category at the 2014 City People Entertainment Awards.

Mavin’s skill for delivering the utmost value has inspired the company to expand into innovative services such as partnerships, content production, publishing, and marketing.

Artistes

• Crayon.
• Ladipoe.
• Johnny Drille
• Ayra Starr.
• Maggix.
• Boy Spice.
• Bayanni
• Lifesize Teddy.

2. YBNL

YBNL AKA Yahoo Boy No Laptop was established in 2012 by legend and indigenous rapper Olamide Adedeji. The label was named after his sophomore album.

When Olamide started, he mostly signed street artists like Lil Kesh and producers like Young John. But he since evolved to work with diverse artists like Fireboy DML and Asake. YBNL recently entered a promotional deal with Empire Distribution. This will make signing with this label more lucrative and give you a swift pathway to international success.

Artists

• Dj Enimoney.
• Fireboy DML.
• Asake.
• Pheelz.
• Temmie Ovwasa.

3. Davido Music Worldwide (DMW)

Davido Music Worldwide was established in 2016 and is one of Africa’s most prominent Record Labels. DMW is one of the best record labels in Lagos, with star artists like Davido, Morravey, & Logos Olori on its roster. Including producers such as Speroach and Fresh VDM. On its Disk Jockeys roster is DJ ECool.

As times change, DMW has stayed innovative and expansive to remain at the forefront of record labels in the country with its services provided by the dedicated group of individuals running its affairs.

Artists

• Davido.
• Perruzi.
• ECool.
• Ayanfe.
• Deinde.
• Liya.
• Idowest.

4. Starboy Entertainment

Starboy Entertainment is another best record label in Lagos. It was founded in 2013 by Big Wiz when he parted ways with Empire Mates Entertainment. Starboy produced Big Wiz’s sophomore ‘Ayo’. 

This label is home to Maleek Berry and Legendury Beats,  including Lax. In 2016, they expanded into Starboy Worldwide, by signing Efya from Ghana, Mr. Eazi, and R2Bees. 

Artists

• Maleek Berry.
• Lax.
• Legendury Beats.
• Efya.
• Mr. Eazi.
• R2Bees.

5. Jonzing World

Jonzing World is the best record label in Lagos committed to producing and promoting exceptional music that speaks to the soul. They are passionate about music and strive to build an environment where artists can bloom and music lovers can discover new sounds.

The label was founded in 2019 by D’Prince to provide a platform for upcoming artists to show their talent. Jonzing believes music can inspire, heal, and bring people together, and its mission is to help artists attain their full potential while sharing their art with the world.

Artists

• Rema.
• Ruger.

6. Chocolate City

Chocolate City Music is a legendary Nigerian record label founded in 20025 by Audi Maikori, Paul Okeugo, and Yahaya Maikori. Renowned as one of the most successful, indigenous urban record labels in Africa, Chocolate City Music is a subsidiary of Chocolate City Group – a 360 Media and Entertainment Company.

Choc City houses recording artists such as Femi Kuti, Blaqbonez, Young Jonn, Noon Dave, Candy Bleaks, Tar1Q, and Major AJ. Artists previously on its roster include Ckay, M.I Abaga, Dice Ailes, Victoria Kimani, Ice Prince, DJ Caise, DJ Lambo, Jeremiah Gyang, Ruby Gyang, Pryse, Brymo, Koker, and Jesse Jagz.

Artists

• Young John.
• Blaq Bonez.
• Candy Bleakz.
• Major AJ.
• Tari1q.
• Noon Dave.

7. Universal Music Group Nigeria

Universal Music Group Nigeria is the West African faction of the global record label Universal Music Group. Established in 2017, Universal has its corporate headquarters in Victoria Island, Lagos. It has signed at least 17 stars from various African countries.

Artists

• Wurld.
• Eazy.
• Nasty C.
• Vanessa Mdee.