Welcome to this post about 5 Popular Nigerian Musicians that Fell off after leaving their Record Label, via Afrokonnect. The music scene in Nigeria is very big and lucrative business especially now with afrobeat being exported from Nigeria, and such it is also crazily competitive in nature. You really need a record label to sponsor your music career before you would be able to break out into the music scene except in rare cases where you have got a strong fan base as an independent artiste. In this article, we would talk about artistes who came into limelight by the help of a record label, and stopped trending after leaving the label to flaunt theirs.
5 Popular Nigerian Musicians that Fell off after leaving their Record Label
Check out the artistes that stopped trending after leaving their record label below:
5. Lil Kesh
Lil Kesh, born Keshinro Ololade, is a Nigerian singer, rapper, and songwriter who gained prominence in the Nigerian music industry with his unique blend of street-hop, Afrobeat, and Yoruba cultural influences. He rose to fame in 2014 with his breakout hit single Shoki, which became a nationwide dance anthem and established him as a force in the music scene.
Signed initially to Olamide’s YBNL Nation, Lil Kesh released other chart-topping tracks like Efejoku, Gbese, and Cause Trouble. In 2016, before establishing his own record label called YAGI Records, to further his career independently. Known for his energetic delivery and relatable lyrics, Lil Kesh continues to influence the Nigerian music scene with his innovative style and street credibility. Lil kesh was on-top of his game, and trending in the music scene while being signed to Olamide’s YBNL imprint, but suddenly stopped trending after his contract with YBNL got expired in 2017.
4. Reekado Banks
Reekado Banks, born Ayoleyi Hanniel Solomon, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and performer renowned for his versatility in Afrobeat, Afropop, and contemporary R&B. He rose to prominence after signing with Mavin Records in 2014, under the mentorship of Don Jazzy. His breakout hit Katapot and other chart-topping singles like Oluwa Ni and Standard cemented his status as a leading figure in the Nigerian music industry.
After leaving Mavin Records in 2018, Reekado Banks founded his own label, Banks Music, to take creative control of his career. He has since released hits like Rora and Ozumba Mbadiwe, further showcasing his evolution as an artist and his ability to adapt to changing musical trends. With a string of awards and an ever-growing fanbase, Reekado Banks remains a dynamic force in African music. Reekado Banks used to be the major artiste during his time at Mavins record label, but failed to live up to expectations after leaving the record label that brought him to limelight.
3. Korede Bello
Korede Bello is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and guitarist widely celebrated for his smooth vocals and emotive music. He gained fame in 2014 after joining Mavin Records under Don Jazzy’s mentorship. Korede captured hearts with his breakout hit Godwin, an uplifting anthem that blended Afro-pop with gospel influences, becoming a cross-generational favorite.
Known for his charming persona and knack for creating catchy melodies, Korede released other popular tracks like Romantic featuring Tiwa Savage, Do Like That, and Mr. Vendor, which showcased his versatility and appeal. In 2017, he released his debut album, Belloved, further establishing himself as a prominent figure in Nigerian music.
Korede Bello has continued to evolve as an artist, focusing on socially conscious themes alongside love-inspired songs. His combination of talent, charisma, and consistent delivery has earned him numerous awards and a loyal fanbase, making him one of the standout acts in contemporary African music. A lot of music critics online have even mocked him saying “Since when you sing Godwin your village people come later win”.
2. Oladips
Oladips made a shocking revelation in 2019 when he left Reminisce record label. The former claimed he only had 20K naira in his account when he left the label. Oladips would later go on to fake his own death in attempt to start trending but he didn’t get what he wanted despite the huge risk he took by faking his death.
1. Chinko Ekun
Chinco Ekun who had the biggest street anthem in 2018 tagged “Able God” was siogned to YBNL and stopped trending after quitting the label.
Conclusion about Popular Nigerian Musicians that Fell off after leaving their Record Label
When artists leave a record label, they often face significant challenges that can hinder their careers. One of the primary struggles is the loss of resources provided by the label, such as funding, industry connections, and promotional support. Without these, artists are left to manage these aspects on their own, which can be both costly and time-consuming. Additionally, record labels often play a crucial role in shaping an artist’s creative direction and strategy. Without this guidance, artists may find it difficult to maintain a consistent brand or produce content that resonates with their audience.
Another challenge is the reduced reach to audiences. Labels have established networks for distributing music, securing media coverage, and promoting artists to a wide audience. Independent artists may struggle to achieve similar visibility, especially in a competitive and saturated market. Financial pressure also becomes a significant issue, as independent artists must bear the full cost of producing and marketing their work, often with limited resources.
Furthermore, the music industry’s competitive nature requires constant innovation and relevance. Without the backing of a label, it can be harder for artists to sustain momentum. Legal and administrative hurdles, such as restrictions on performing their previous hits or using certain intellectual properties tied to the label, may also limit an artist’s appeal to their fanbase. While leaving a label can offer creative freedom, it demands careful planning and a strong support system to overcome these challenges.
Thank you for reading this post to the end, we hope you find it educative, which of these artist will you like to see back at their best. Please do not forget to share, like and comment on this post before you leave. On that note this brings us to the end of this post about 5 Popular Nigerian Musicians that Fell off after leaving their Record Label, via Afrokonnect.
