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Chocolate City is a Nigerian
record label "Big Three" music labels A record label or record company is a brand or trademark of Sound recording and reproduction, music recordings and music videos, or the company that owns it. Sometimes, a record label is also a Music publisher, ...
founded in 2005 by lawyers
Audu Maikori Audu Maikori (born 13 August 1975, in Kaduna) is a Nigerian lawyer, entrepreneur, social activist, public speaker, and creative industry expert. He is the co-founder and executive vice chairman of the Chocolate City Group, the mother company o ...
,
Paul Okeugo Paul Okeugo (born August 18, 1975) is a Nigerian entrepreneur, marketing executive and business strategist. He is the co-founder and executive vice chairman of Chocolate City Group, the parent company of Nigerian record company, Chocolate City. ...
, and
Yahaya Maikori Yahaya Maikori is a Nigerian attorney with core expertise in gaming, sports, technology, media & eCommerce with a focus on African investments. He is the founder of the law firm Law Allianz and the co-founder of the record label Chocolate City. ...
. Generally regarded as one of Africa's most successful indigenous urban record labels, Chocolate City operates as a subsidiary of Chocolate City Group. Other arms of the group include Chocolate City Distribution, Chocolate City Events, CCX, and Chocolate City Media. On 28 March 2019,
Warner Music Group Warner Music Group Corp., commonly abbreviated as WMG, is an American Multinational corporation, multinational entertainment and record label Conglomerate (company), conglomerate headquartered in New York City. It is one of the "Record label#M ...
partnered with the label. Under the partnership, Chocolate City artists will join WMG's repertoire and receive the support of the company's distribution and artist services via its independent label services division,
ADA Ada may refer to: Arts and entertainment * '' Ada or Ardor: A Family Chronicle'', a novel by Vladimir Nabokov Film and television * Ada, a character in 1991 movie '' Armour of God II: Operation Condor'' * '' Ada... A Way of Life'', a 2008 Bollywo ...
. The label has been home to recording artists such as M.I Abaga,
Femi Kuti Olufela Olufemi Anikulapo Kuti (born 16 June 1962), popularly known as Femi Kuti, is a Nigerian musician born in London and raised in Lagos. He is the eldest son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti and a grandchild of political campaigner, women's r ...
, Nosa,
Dice Ailes Dice Ailes, born Shasha Damilola Alesh, is a Nigerian singer whose musical style blends Afro-pop, hip-hop, and R&B. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, he began his musical career in Toronto, Canada. He began creating music at the age of 15. His de ...
,
Blaqbonez Emeka Akumefule (born 29 January 1996), known professionally as Blaqbonez, is a Nigerian rapper and singer signed to Chocolate City. Blaqbonez is popularly known for his distinct rap style as well as his creative ingenuity. In 2019, he was prof ...
, ClassiQ,
CKay Chukwuka Chukwuma Ekweani (born 16 July 1995), better known by his stage name Ckay (stylized as CKay), is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer signed to Boyfriend Music, Warner Music Africa (formerly known as; Warner Music South Afr ...
, Candy Bleakz,
Young John John Saviours Udomboso (born 16 February 1995), known professionally as Young Jonn, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer, currently signed to Chocolate City Music. He is also known for his hit singles Dada and the remix with David ...
Torna, and Dijay Cinch. Artists formerly signed to the label include
Victoria Kimani Victoria Kimani (born 28 July 1985) is a Kenyan singer, songwriter, and entertainer formerly signed to Nigerian record label '' Chocolate City''. Her debut album was released in 2016. She has appeared in the film ''7 Inch Curve.'' Life and car ...
,
Ice Prince Panshak Henry Zamani (born 30 October 1986), better known as Ice Prince Zamani or just Ice Prince, is a Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter. He rose to fame after releasing "Oleku (Ice Prince song), Oleku", one of Nigeria's most remixed son ...
,
DJ Caise Derin Phillips, better known as DJ Caise (pronounced as "Case"), is a Nigerian disc jockey. Life and music career His maternal grandfather, the late Chief Antonio Deinde Fernandez, was a Nigerian business magnate, diplomat and Permanent Repres ...
, DJ Lambo,
Jeremiah Gyang Jeremiah Pam Gyang (born 13 October 1981) is a Nigerian singer-songwriter, instrumentalist and record producer. Many regarded him as a Wunderkind playing both the piano and guitar before the age of ten. He is often credited as being responsible f ...
, Ruby Gyang, Pryse,
Brymo Ọlawale Ọlọfọrọ (born Olawale Ibrahim Ashimi; 9 May 1986), better known as Brymo, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, sound artist, sonic artist, actor and author who was born and raised in Okokomaiko. Brymo started recording music in ...
, Koker,
Jesse Jagz Jesse Garba Abaga (born 10 August 1984), known professionally as Jesse Jagz, is a Nigerian rapper, record producer, and songwriter. He signed a record deal with Chocolate City in 2010 and released his debut studio album ''Jag of All Tradez'' t ...
, Lemon Adisa, Mr. Gbafun, Ijay, Kahli Abdu & VHS Safari. Chocolate City has also worked on the careers of artistes such as Djinee and
Asa Asa may refer to: People and fictional characters * Asa (given name), a given name, including a list of people and fictional characters so named * Asa people, an ethnic group based in Tanzania * Aṣa, Nigerian-French singer, songwriter, and reco ...
. In 2012, business mogul and philanthropist Hakeem Bello-Osagie joined the board of Chocolate City Group as its chairman. Reuters International has documented Chocolate City's influence on the evolution of the Nigerian music industry. The label is headed by Mr Abuchi Peter Ugwu, who took over from M.I Abaga.


History

Founded as a
nightclub A nightclub or dance club is a club that is open at night, usually for drinking, dancing and other entertainment. Nightclubs often have a Bar (establishment), bar and discotheque (usually simply known as disco) with a dance floor, laser lighti ...
in 1997, Chocolate City quickly became the number one promotions outfit in the Northern part of Nigeria and moved into the industry mainstream in 2005 with the launch of the record label (''Chocolate City Music''). In 2001,
Audu Maikori Audu Maikori (born 13 August 1975, in Kaduna) is a Nigerian lawyer, entrepreneur, social activist, public speaker, and creative industry expert. He is the co-founder and executive vice chairman of the Chocolate City Group, the mother company o ...
and
Paul Okeugo Paul Okeugo (born August 18, 1975) is a Nigerian entrepreneur, marketing executive and business strategist. He is the co-founder and executive vice chairman of Chocolate City Group, the parent company of Nigerian record company, Chocolate City. ...
founded the Guild of Artistes and Poets, called an "arts appreciation society" which held weekly meetings which focused on the arts, music, poetry and creativity as a means of youth engagement and empowerment. Under the leadership of MI, Chocolate City expanded by creating sub-labels that included 100 Crowns which discovered and signed
Blaqbonez Emeka Akumefule (born 29 January 1996), known professionally as Blaqbonez, is a Nigerian rapper and singer signed to Chocolate City. Blaqbonez is popularly known for his distinct rap style as well as his creative ingenuity. In 2019, he was prof ...
, and UpNorth Records, which signed Classiq and Dijay Cinch, it had its first-ever press conference where every artiste was present to answer questions from members of the press. The press conference was planned to be every month, but it only had been held once In March 2019, Chocolate City signed a worldwide distribution deal with
Warner Music Group Warner Music Group Corp., commonly abbreviated as WMG, is an American Multinational corporation, multinational entertainment and record label Conglomerate (company), conglomerate headquartered in New York City. It is one of the "Record label#M ...
.


G.A.P

The G.A.P later became one of the new age art renaissance movements, which quickly gained membership in Jos, Abuja, and Lagos with a combined membership of over 3000 attendees at its peak. The GAP brought to light the need for artists to have better representation, which Audu gave in the form of pro bono legal services, and this eventually led to his registering Chocolate City with his bonus earnings from his job as a lawyer with the chambers of Afe Babalola and co. The first act to be signed to the Chocolate City label was multi-talented instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter, and producer
Jeremiah Gyang Jeremiah Pam Gyang (born 13 October 1981) is a Nigerian singer-songwriter, instrumentalist and record producer. Many regarded him as a Wunderkind playing both the piano and guitar before the age of ten. He is often credited as being responsible f ...
(whose debut album ''Na BA KA'' sold over 4 Million copies and won numerous accolades and acclaim for the artist as well as the label). ''Na Ba Ka'' was known for its instrumentals, which was studied by a Canadian University on Sound Engineering and Production and was even listed on the top ten charts in Israel between 2005 and 2006. Chocolate City went on to discover and manage the careers of Djinee, M.I, Aṣa, Jesse Jagz, Ice Prince, Brymo, and other artists who have won over 70 local and international awards. In June 2007, Audu Maikori won the
British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. * British national identity, the characteristics of British people and culture ...
award for International Young Music Entrepreneur of the Year (IYMEY) by the British Council, making Nigeria the first country to win two global awards in the Young Creative Entrepreneurs Series (the first was Lanre Lawal (IYDEY) 2005), after beating nine countries including the Philippines, Latvia, Lithuania, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Tanzania, Egypt and Poland.


Accolades

Chocolate City was the first Nigerian music company to attain a global music award and recognition by the British Council in 2007: International Young Music Entrepreneur of the Year (IYMEY) 2007. Chocolate City has since worked closely with the federal government of Nigeria and several international organizations, such as the British Council, to promote creative industries and capacity-building projects in and around Nigeria. In April 2008, Chocolate City announced a major collaborative effort in partnership with the British Council and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to take a delegation of Nigerian music stakeholders to London Calling 2008 in a bid to open new vistas for the fast-growing Nigerian music industry currently valued at around $500 Million (2007). The Minister of Culture and Tourism led the 40-man delegation. Chocolate City has also been active in promoting the Creative industries globally, having participated in several workshops and initiatives. In January 2008, Chocolate City delivered a keynote address at a workshop tagged "Mapping the Creative Industries in Albania" organized by the British Council, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and Ministry of Economy, Albania. The workshop aimed to share the experiences of creative entrepreneurs from around Europe, the U.K, and Nigeria. Reuters International produced a documentary on the Chocolate City success story tagged "Music and Money" in recognition of its contributions to developing the Nigerian music industry. Over the years, Chocolate City has partnered with many international and regional creative industry organisations, with affiliates in South Africa, the U.K., and the US, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the British Council toward promoting and celebrating creativity in Nigeria. On 8 December 2011, parent company Chocolate City Group won the African Awards for Entrepreneurship, beating over 3,300 applicants from 48 African countries to clinch the runner-up prize, making history as the first entertainment company to win the prize since 2007. Chocolate City won the "Best Record Label of the Year" award in both 2013 & 2015 at the
City People Entertainment Awards City People Entertainment Awards are an annual accolade presented by '' City People Magazine'' to honour Nigerian and Ghanaian entertainers. The first edition was held in Abeokuta, Ogun State on June 14, 2009. The event was hosted by Governor G ...
. At the 2011 edition of the awards above, the record label won the "Record Label of the Year" award. In April 2015, Maikori stepped down after ten years of piloting the affairs of the label and appointed M.I. to take over as the CEO of Chocolate City Music label while Ice Prince became the Vice President of Music for the label Maikori assumed the position of Group CEO of Chocolate City Group, which comprised Chocolate City Music (Record Label), Chocolate City Media, CCX Lounge (live music venue franchise), Bean Agency (an experiential marketing company), and Replete Publishing (A music publishing and distribution company). Paul Okeugo was also appointed Group COO for the group. In October 2019, M.I Abaga stepped down as CEO of Chocolate City Music. Aibee Abidoye was subsequently promoted to Executive Vice President for Chocolate City Group - her portfolio includes Music licensing, distribution, and artist projects. On 19 April 2021, Abuchi Ugwu, a long-time manager of M.I Abaga, sound engineer and producer, was appointed as substantive CEO of Chocolate City Music Ltd.


Awards and nominations

* International Young Music Entrepreneur of the Year Award-Global Winner, 2007 *Record Label of the Year - City People Entertainment Awards, 2011 *Best Music Company - Effzye Awards, 2011 * Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship by
Legatum Legatum Limited, also known as Legatum, is a private investment firm, headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Legatum was founded in 2006 by Christopher Chandler. Legatum owns the British broadcaster GB News. History and business activ ...
2011- Africa Awards


Artist roster


Management


Current artists


Former artists


Discography


Notes


References


External links

* {{Authority control Companies based in Lagos Event management companies of Nigeria Hip-hop record labels Nigerian record labels Record labels established in 2005