Nigerian Music Power Brokers: CEO’s Redefining the Soundtrack

Nigerian Music Power Brokers

Executives Redefining the Soundtrack of a Generation: Introduction: From Underground to the Global Stage

What was once an underdog on the world music scene, Nigeria, now commands the center of Africa’s music revolution.

With sold-out performances in Europe and chart-topping numbers in America, music from Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Abuja is felt worldwide.

Nigerian Music Power Brokers

As much as the airwaves continue to be awash with names like Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, and Tiwa Savage, there is a whole army of visionaries who worked behind the scenes to assemble the machinery propelling Nigerian music.

Ranging from trailblazing male label moguls to shattering glass ceilings, female bosses have guided artists, discovered talent, written historic contracts, and rewritten the blueprint of what music leadership is.

Let’s get familiar with the best Nigerian music leaders by decade, culminating in a look at nine power women redefining the game.

Pioneers of Progress: Best Nigerian Music Power Brokers Record Label by Decade 

The 2000s – Setting the Stage

In the early 2000s, following decades of economic and political instability, Nigerian music was at last settling into solid roots. Independent labels emerged from the remains of what multinational corporations had left behind, and visionary masters began to emerge.

• Keke & D1 (Kennis Music): Kehinde Ogungbe and Dayo Adeneye’s duo revolutionized the promotion of artists for Kennis Music. They broke and remolded artists like 2Face Idibia, The Remedies, and Sound Sultan, and established a new type of label work.
• Obi Asika (Storm Records): Storm Records founder Asika produced some of the period’s most lyrical legends like Naeto C and Sasha P. He also contributed heavily to TV and television production.
• Don Jazzy (Mo’Hits Records): Mo’Hits in-house producer Don Jazzy co-founded a legacy with D’banj, Wande Coal, and Dr. Sid, whose impact on Afropop was enduring.
• Audu Maikori (Chocolate City): Chocolate City’s founder, Audu, introduced Northern-sounding music and nurtured acts like.., Ice Prince and Jesse Jagz.

The 2010s – Afrobeats Goes Global

When Afrobeats began its ascent to global popularity, new groups of executives shaped the business with no-holds-barred signings and calculated expansion.

• \ Tolamide (YBNL): A phenomenon in his own right, Olamide founded YBNL and signed Fireboy DML, Lil Kesh, and Adekunle Gold. No one controls street pop as he does.
• \tDon Jazzy (Mavin Records): Redefining himself after Mo’Hits, Don Jazzy established Mavin Records. Rema, Tiwa Savage, and Reekado Banks became globally successful under him.
• Peedi Picasso (Aristokrat Records): Former owner of Burna Boy’s now-defunct record label, Peedi created a street-hardened but globally respectful sound, and then brought in signings such as Mojeed and Ria Sean.
• Audu Maikori (Chocolate City): His label has evolved with next-generation acts such as CKay and Blaqbonez, who continue to be the dominant force in the alternative Afrobeats market.
• Banky W (EME): Songstar-turned-entrepreneur Banky W signed Wizkid and Skales, and thus EME became one of Nigeria’s leading participants in pop.
• Davido (DMW): A business titan, Davido used his platform to launch DMW, signing Mayorkun and Dremo, and reopening the company in 2023 with new artists.

The Nigerian Music Power Brokers in the 2020s – The Redefining of the Business of Afrobeats

Consolidation, innovation, and scale define the decade.

CEOs are now world thinkers with world perspectives, foreign-investment oriented, but still with the local voice.

• Olamide: Signing Asake in 2022 was a game-changer. He also educated producers such as Pheelz and Young Jonn to become song-singing acts.
• Don Jazzy: The dependable mogul further brought new sounds such as Magixx, Lifesize Teddy, and Boy Spyce, demonstrating Mavin’s strength.
• D’Prince (Jonzing World): Jonzing World’s founder ushered Rema and Ruger into stardom. His eyes for talent continue to pay dividends.
• Dvpper (Damilola Akinwunmi): Under Dvpper Music, he’s a pioneering street hop, opening doors for artists like Shallipopi, T.I. Blaze, and Seyi Vibez.
• Valo (Keyqaad): Former OAP and artist Valentine Ngaji formed Keyqaad and signed Omah Lay, initiating a fresh soulful pop revolution.

Nigerian Music Women at the Helm: 9 Female Executives Redefining Nigerian Music

Despite the patriarchal nature of the Nigerian music industry, these powerful women are leading the way-breaking glass ceilings, nurturing talent, and influencing music trends globally.

1. Temi Adeniji – Warner Music Africa

As MD at Warner Music Africa, Temi played a key role in the global success of Love Nwantiti. Among Billboard’s Women in Music 2023, she’s spearheading the growth of the label across Sub-Saharan Africa.

2. Rima Tahini – Mavin Global

Rima, both an A&R Director, brought Rema and Ayra Starr into the limelight. Her business acumen and visual sense still steer Mavin’s global presence.

3. Olufunmilayo Oke – Def Jam Recordings

Now an Associate Director at Def Jam, Funmi oversees some of the biggest Afrobeats signings and marketing for the label. She previously A&R’d for Grammy-winning Steve Lacy.

4. Elizabeth Sobowale – MBA Africa / Manager of Adekunle Gold

Vet manager and creative mind behind Brand & Stitch, Elizabeth manages Adekunle Gold’s career and nurtures Africa’s creative sector through MBA Africa.

5. Tami Makinde – NATIVE Magazine

From the intern desk to Managing Editor, Tami has documented Afrobeats’ journey and brought marginalized voices into the limelight through her stories in Vogue, Rolling Stone, and COLORS.

6. Olayiwola Olajumoke – Sarz Academy / P.Priime Manager

A renowned entertainment attorney and manager, Olajumoke is a key figure in artist advocacy, IP law, and talent development through Sarz Academy activities.

7. Stephanie Okocha – Panda Entertainment

Panda Entertainment founder Stephanie is representing hitmaker Tempoe and has a top-to-bottom creative agency dealing with tours, recording camps, and publishing.

8. FozaDoza (Oyinkansola Fawehinmi) – Legal & IP Consultant

An industry veteran with over a decade of experience, Foza is an agent of change for IP management and has brokered hit deals in music, film, and telecoms.

9. Titilope Adesanya – EMPIRE Africa

From the radio to the global music business, Titi is Director of Operations at EMPIRE Africa and was featured on Billboard’s Women in Music list of 2023.