Nigeria’s music industry has produced some of Africa’s biggest stars, many of whom have built their own empires. Today, owning a record label lets artists shape their sound, leave a legacy, and support new talent. This shift gives musicians greater creative and financial control, leading to fresher music and more opportunities for up-and-coming artists. Artist-owned labels have changed the industry by moving power away from traditional gatekeepers and encouraging collaboration and experimentation. From Lagos street pop to the Grammy stage, here are Nigerian musicians who have made their mark with their own record labels.
Don Jazzy (Mavin Records)
Don Jazzy has been a key figure in shaping the modern Nigerian record label. He launched Mavin Records on May 8, 2012, after co-founding Mo’ Hits Records with D’banj in 2004. Since then, Mavin Records has grown into a top local label, supporting artists like Rema, Ayra Starr, Johnny Drille, Crayon, and Ladipoe. Together, these artists have reached over 40 billion streams. Rema’s “Calm Down” remix with Selena Gomez was the first African artist-led song to hit one billion streams on Spotify. In February 2024, Universal Music Group bought a majority stake in Mavin Global, marking a major moment for African entertainment.
Davido (DMW / Nine+)
Davido founded Davido Music Worldwide in April 2016 after leaving HKN Music, which he had co-run with his brother. DMW became known for helping launch artists like Mayorkun, Peruzzi, and Dremo. Billboard named it one of the “Gatekeepers” of Nigerian music in 2020. In 2023, Davido updated the label to DMW 2.0 and introduced new artists Morravey and Logos Olori. By 2024, he also launched a sister label, Nine+ Records. In early 2025, Boi-2 M and singer Toye joined, underscoring DMW’s ongoing growth.
Olamide (YBNL Nation)
YBNL Nation is closely linked to the rise of Nigerian street music. Olamide started the label in 2012 after working with ID Cabasa’s Coded Tunes. The name, Yahoo Boy No Laptop Nation, highlights its unique style. YBNL has helped launch artists like Adekunle Gold, Lil Kesh, Fireboy DML, and Asake. In 2020, YBNL teamed up with US indie label EMPIRE, which helped Fireboy and Asake reach global audiences. Olamide earned his first Grammy nomination in 2023. In February 2025, Asake left to start his own label, Giran Republic. Today, YBNL is led by Olamide and includes Fireboy DML, Jayboi, Senth, and DJ Enimoney. Even with these changes, YBNL remains influential, and Billboard named Olamide a Global Power Player in 2025.
Wizkid (Starboy Entertainment)
Wizkid started Starboy Entertainment in March 2013 after leaving Banky W’s Empire Mates Entertainment. The label first signed producer duo Legendury Beatz, then L.A.X, followed by Maleek Berry, DJ Tunez, and singer Terri, who had a big hit with “Soco” in 2018. In May 2016, Wizkid expanded the brand into Starboy Worldwide, adding Ghanaian artists such as Mr. Eazi, Efya, and R2Bees. The label has released major albums such as Ayo (2014) and Made in Lagos (2020), the latter of which is one of the biggest Afrobeats albums ever. Wizkid runs Starboy with his partner Jada Pollock, who manages daily operations.
Burna Boy (Spaceship Records)
Burna Boy launched Spaceship Records in February 2015 after leaving Aristokrat Records. The label has a family-like atmosphere. His mother, Bose Ogulu, is the Executive Director of Spaceship Collective, with LeriQ and Telz guiding the creative side. Spaceship works with Atlantic Records and Warner Music Group for wider distribution. Burna Boy was the first Nigerian solo artist to win a Grammy for Best Global Music Album with Twice as Tall in 2021. His 2025 album No Sign of Weakness includes collaborations with Travis Scott, Mick Jagger, and Stromae, showing the label’s global reach.
Kizz Daniel (Fly Boy Inc.)
Kizz Daniel started Fly Boy Inc. in November 2017 after a contract dispute with G-Worldwide Entertainment. With global distribution from EMPIRE, he has released No Bad Songz (2018), King of Love (2020), Maverick (2023), and the TZA EP (2024) through the label. His song “Buga” was the most-Shazamed track in the world in 2022. The label has also featured singer Demmie Vee and producer Philkeyz.
Tiwa Savage (323 Entertainment)
Tiwa Savage established 323 Entertainment in mid-2012 alongside her former manager. Tiwa Savage started 323 Entertainment in mid-2012 with her former manager and ex-husband Tunji Balogun, before joining Mavin Records in July 2012. Over time, the label has become more of a legacy imprint for her early work. 323 Entertainment is currently inactive, with no roster or new signings, and now mainly serves as part of Tiwa Savage’s personal brand. Her career is supported by a global deal with Universal Music Group, signed in May 2019, making her the first Nigerian female artist to secure one. She is distributed internationally through Motown Records and was also the first Nigerian artist to sign with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation management in June 2018. as the home base for all five of his studio albums, from No Guts No Glory (March 2014) to Full Time Job (April 2024). The label has produced some of the most respected names in the Nigerian rap scene, including Superboy Cheque, whose breakout single “Zoom” (September 2020) turned heads across the industry. In August 2024, Phyno added Alpha P to the Penthauze family, alongside the release of “W” featuring Olamide on August 22.
Timaya (Dem Mama Records)
Timaya is one of Nigeria’s most established independent label owners. He started Dem Mama Records in 2007 and made it official in 2014. The label has helped launch artists like Patoranking and Runtown. King Perryy joined in 2017. Timaya released his eighth album, Gladiator, in 2024 and still leads the annual Timaya Day festival in Bayelsa.
Asake (Giran Republic)
After leaving YBNL in early 2025, Asake launched Giran Republic, a project he had been working on since August 2024. He released “Why Love” on February 12, 2025, as the label’s first single through Gamma. Right now, Giran Republic is Asake’s personal label, but he plans to add more artists soon. While at YBNL, Asake sold out New York’s Barclays Center and earned two Grammy nominations. Giran Republic wants to keep that momentum going and also works as a lifestyle brand, including a cannabis line in California with the same name.
Simi (Studio Brat)
Simi started Studio Brat in June 2019 after her contract with X3M Music ended. She has built it into a truly independent label. What sets Studio Brat apart is that Simi not only owns the label but also produces and engineers her own music. Albums like To Be Honest (May 2022) and Lost and Found (April 2024) were released through Studio Brat, with Simi handling the creative process from start to finish.
Naira Marley (Marlian Records)
Naira Marley started Marlian Records on December 30, 2019, during a live concert at the Eko Hotel in Lagos. The label played a big role in shaping street-pop in Nigeria, helping Zinoleesky become one of the country’s most-streamed artists. In September 2023, after the death of former signee MohBad, the label faced heavy scrutiny, which affected its reputation into 2024 and 2025. Since then, Marlian Records has slowed down, pausing new signings and releases as it works to rebuild trust. As of mid-2025, the label has not announced any new artists or major releases, and its future is unclear.
These labels are economic engines, artist development pipelines, and cultural statements. Artists like Joeboy (Young Legend), Zlatan Ibile (Zanku Records), Mr. Eazi (emPawa Africa), Wande Coal (Black Diamond Entertainment), Falz (Bahd Guys Records), and Shallipopi (Plutomania Records) are also part of this wave, proving that the instinct to build something of your own has taken root across every generation of Nigerian music. In the last year, new powerhouses have emerged, including Victony’s Unruly Music Group (founded in early 2024) and Ayra Starr’s Celestial Sounds (launched in 2025), both of which are already signing new talent and gaining industry recognition. The deals are getting bigger, the rosters are getting more ambitious, and the names behind these labels are increasingly the same names topping global charts.
