This year, we have had two record labels come up against each other. The Don Jazzy-led Mavins ruffled the feathers of the YBNL rap boys, with leader Olamide making the fight his own.This is not a permanent fixture, but the war still rages on other fronts, with music being the core weapon of competing. We bring you the state of the union in record label positions in 2016.
Who’s on the rise? Who’s taking a beating? Will Five Star Music give us another trick show or will Kcee continue his dry spell of no hits? Who’s the big hitter at Chocolate City these days? And why are the other YBNL boys taking a chill for Lil Kesh and Adekunle Gold to shine.
Mavins
playIn 2015, Mavin Records consolidated their grip on pop culture with Korede Bello hitting dizzying heights with ‘Godwin’, a single who made history as the biggest pop song of the year according to Pulse Music…which pretty much accounts for everyone else.
Without the presence of their Queen, who was chasing the bright lights of motherhood, the label still found a way to keep everything ticking as D’Prince awoke from his slumber, and Dr Sid gave a good song in ‘Kabiyesi’. Reekado Banks is still one song away from true greatness, and Di’Ja still seeks to recreate the magic of ‘Awww’.
This year, Tiwa’s album is being promoted with vigour, giving the entire house a good injection of firepower. Korede Bello needs to prove that he is not just a one-trick Jheri-curled pony. ‘Godwin’ might have made him dine out multiple times last year, but 2016 needs another shot in the arm. A follow-up song is what’s needed. Reekado Banks is a pop machine, and he needs to keep his work rate up. You get a feeling he is just on the cusp of greatness, and the next song might be his blockbuster. Dr SID needs more ammo. He can’t win the game when he isn’t playing. D’Prince had a decent personal year but needs to up the ante.
The main obstacle for the Mavins are their diversity in talent which takes a whole lot of work to bring together and make shine, but they have Don Jazzy, Altims, and the increasingly artistic Baby Fresh taking them through the paces.
YBNL
playOlamide, Lil Kesh and Adekunle Gold lead the Mavins (Press)
All the shine on this record label previously was enjoyed by the CEO, Olamide, who singlehandedly via music, smart business decisions, and a good heart, built this crew. But in the past two years he has given Lil Kesh a life, saw potential in Adekunle Gold, and signed up a bunch of others. (Just in case you honestly forgot, Xino, Viktoh, and Chinko Ekun also share the YBNL roster).
‘Eyan Mayweather’ album was an artistic flop, with Olamide outdoing himself with another album that sounds more like a mixtape. Thankfully, the hit singles and concerts have been a huge blessing to the man, making him arguably Nigeria’s biggest act in 2015.
Lil Kesh needs a body of work to stake his claim as the rightful heir to the throne. He has huffed, puffed, and lost out on the Next Rated crown, but that should inspire him, not break him, (seeing that he makes enough money for a new SUV every two weeks). He needs his album out. Adekunle Gold gets enough golden love from the South West, but outside the region, he doesn’t exist. And yes, I confirmed that with investigative journalism which I have failed to publish. He needs to diversify his work to appeal to more people, and that generosity will pay off.
Viktoh is still a work in progress as he is unsure of his true musical direction and depth. Chinko Ekun is still industry news, and Xino has never been seen.
A good way to get ahead for this house is a compilation album to get things rocking. Lil Kesh needs that album badly. Olamide will rinse and repeat his yearly process, but more music from Chinko Ekun, who is extremely talented will give a fresh dimension to this label.
They’re in good shape. For now.
Chocolate City
playThis is a make-or-break year for what was once the biggest and highest flying squad of Africa.
Chocolate City once had a firm grip on pop radio’s windpipe, with hits rolling out their conveyor belt, looking pretty, smelling good, and even sounding like God’s own craft. Brymo once called this label home. But right now, nothing is working on the level that it is meant to be. There's no more gift-wrapped singles coming in, with Ice Prince, M.I and Jagz taking home all the prizes for their brilliance. Today, M.I Abaga is battling to keep his place intact,Ice Prince is sitting squarely on good material, and Jesse Jagzhas so far failed to come alive in his second coming.
This seems like a house in mild disarray. Dreaming big is the hallmark of achievers, but M.I Abaga might have bitten off a fairly unchewable chunk of meat with merging this label to his Loopy Music. A look through this label has very industry savvy person scratching their heads in confusion. Pryse still belongs here. DJ Caise is here. DJ Lambo belongs top this crew. Then there’sLoose Kaynon, Milli, Koker, Ruby Gyang, Victoria Kimani, Kahli Abdu and VHS Safari, and forgotten man Nosa.
M.I Abaga and Ice Prince are still the big hitters of this house. Jesse Jagz has love and respect working for him, but that has failed to translate into musical success.
This year, they have a master plan, which includes releasing 20 music videos, but that also might not be enough seeing how much talent they have and the journey they need to make to hit the top again. Loose Kaynon has ‘The Gemini Project’ out and about.
Chocolate City stands a chance at re-upping their reign. If not then, well, they'll sink fast. You know, the less classy, gaudy, not-quite-Titanic but still indisputably equally behemoth. Ice Prince and M.I will float to safety on a raft, but there won’t be enough room for many others.
HKN Gang
playDavido and HKN Gang (Press)
For years, Davido has been and still remains the golden child of HKN. Simply put, HKN is Davido.
A record label which hypes itself as a powerhouse, HKN will not be HKN if Davido is removed out of the equation. Who wants to step up?
Sina Rambo and B-Red come across as clubbers who are about the fast life, than genuine music makers who believe in their craft and work to grow it. They simply don’t cut it as musicians who generously apply themselves to grow the art. Danagog is a pawn in all of this, and Deekay does not exist.
Davido is the man here and continues to be so. A high-profile publishing deal with Sony Music Entertainment has him in good stead to dominate 2016, with an album in the works for release.
But HKN needs a boost. Davio’s hegemony will not be enough to carry them through forever. They need sideshows and supporting cast. Right now, only one man is in the ring. The others watch on.
Five Star Music
playSkibbi at his record deal announcement with E-Money, Kcee, Harrysong, Soso Soberekon. (Press)
The most telling sign that the Five Star is one of the most beleaguered record labels in Nigeria is that its most popping event in 2015, is the death and resurrection of Skiibi Mayana. A hitherto unknown and unappreciated act.
The label made a man die for his art, and resurrected in less than 24 hours, with many failed efforts at rebranding the story, and selling Nigeria the wrong drug. Skiibi is still dead in music.
But that’s not to say Five Star Music didn’t win on some level last year. Kcee had a number of singles which maintained his relevance, but failed to hit. Harrysong came up strong with the ‘Reggae Blues’ single which put the entire crew back on the music map, and their song, ‘Ebe ano’, is still existent on the playlists of many music listeners and radio stations.
What Five Star Music lacks is discipline. For all their financial backing from E-Money, they release too little music to be taken seriously. They come across as a bunch of folks with more money than can be spent, working as avid hobbyists in the music industry.
The art is an afterthought to these people. Five Star music rates music as One Star. It's unclear what everyone's up to, and whether everyone's on the same page
