It’s all about the new Nigerian hip-hop talents signed onto record labels between late 2017 today on the #AOTW. Nigeria is rich in both talents in hip-hop music even though we failed to make Forbes’ 2018 world’s highest-paid list which was released in September, on Forbes website, this wouldn’t hold us back from acknowledging that 2018 has been a good run in the Nigerian Music industry with new talents in hip-hop hopping on board from every corner: from the ghettos and the GRAs. A number of new talents were discovered in the last quarter of 2017 and got signed onto record labels. Excitingly, it didn’t just end there, 2018 had more influx of new talents. Most of the talents were actually discovered via social media (Twitter/Instagram) as they showcased their talents to Nigerians through cover songs and the likes.
I believe when it comes to making it big in the music industry, social media is the right platform to get started. Social media has become the most powerful marketing tool the world has ever seen. It has become a huge platform for talents (discovery) not only in Nigeria but also across the universe. Major foreign stars likes of Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendez, Halsey, and Tailor Swift got their start on YouTube, Vine, and even MySpace. Coming back home if you remember, Reekado Banks (in 2013), Mayorkun, Johnny Drille (in 2015), rapper and YBNL’s first female signee-Temmie Ovwasa (in 2016), even the relatively new Teni Entertainer and Terri of Starboy to mention but few were discovered and Signed through Social Media. So, it’s not surprising more talents discovery came early in 2018.
Big shout outs to all the Nigerian record labels unveiling and giving opportunities to new acts who are set to contribute to or change the face of music through their talents and unique sounds. Now we reunveil the top 4 new acts who got record deal record label deals in 2018 on the #AOTW. The 4 2018 signees rubbing shoulders with the household names and world renowned Nigerians in the Music industry.
Remember in 2017, several Nigerian record labels were reportedly scouting and signing new talents who have all it takes to make it BIG in the Nigerian Music industry. So making our number 4 Peruzzi of DMW- Davido Music Worldwide as the fifth official artist under label.
Peruzzi was born Tobechukwu Victor Okoh on December 5. He got his first studio shot in 2007 and has since then been recording. He attended Lerato Primary School, Egbeda and went on to Command Secondary School, Ikeja and graduated in (2007). He gained admission shortly after to study Medicine and Surgery at Odessa State Medical Student. He dropped a single titled ‘For Your Pocket’ featuring LK Kuddy and produced by “SperoacH BeatZ” in July 2017. With many singles been recorded including a song with Tuface, the latest addiction to the DMW family is ready to take the music industry by storm.
No 4: Peruzzi ft. Burna Boy – “Champion Lover”
Terri who was picked up by Starboy Entertainment in December 2017 after he posted an Instagram video where he covered DJ Jimmy Jatt’s single ft Wizkid titled ‘Oshe’. His signing is reminiscent of the way Davido picked up and signed Mayorkun to DMW after Mayorkun posted a video on twitter where he covered Davido’s “The Money” featuring Olamide
No 3: Bia by Terri
We’ve been looking at talents whose hard work have convinced record labels that they can make them proud in future. If you are talented and see your future in the music industry, you never know, you could become a part of any record label. : record a good song, and get a video for it. Make good use of social media: Social media plays a major role in defining our lives as individuals. Do not hesitate to go for musical contest.
YBNL: Yahoo Boy No Laptop record label (derived from one of Olamide’s first singles of 2011) owned by Hip-hop singer/ rapper Olamide Baddo as one of the top record labels since 2012 in Nigeria with history of signing and ‘graduating’ artists with talent welcomed Picazo into family in October after he had signed Lyta, Limerick (and unsuccessfully completing the deal with Davolee) in February
Lyta born Lawal Raheem was born on 4th July in Ajegunle Lagos. His state of origin is Kwara. Despite coming from a reasonably humble background 2018 has acquired a car at a very young age. He got signed to the record label sometime around February at the age of 18 and he is already raking in the money.
Lyta is a young promising artist. Although he’s shy and new to the camera, there’s this air of confidence behind all the shyness. It reminded me of the popular notion of ‘beauty behind the madness. The rapper met his boss Olamide at an event where he performed where he was called to freestyle by the King Olamide which result to his signing to YBNL Nation after the departure of Adekunle Gold and Lil Kes
In an interview with MaxFm the rapper reveals that the death of his friend in 2017 result to him writing his first song “TIME” under YBNL which he featured Olamide. Lyta is a native of Kwara state and born in Ajegunle.
Lyta released ‘Time’ featuring Junior Boy and sang with passion how he prays he gets signed and becomes a superstar like Wizkid, little did he know that YBNL Boss, Olamide was going to sign him to YBNL soon. Olamide discovered Lyta, jumped on Time Remix which was reproduced by ID Cabasa and shot an accompanying video to the remix.. Lyta has been hailed as a combination of 9ice, Mayorkun, Wizkid and Kiss Daniel and the young boy is sure to make waves in the Nigerian music industry under YBNL..
No 2 ‘Self Made’ by Lyta of YBNL
Olamide who is constantly in search for new talents and future Nigerian superstars in October took to his Instagram page to announce the deal with an image of Picazo with the caption “Signed! @picazo_rhap #YBNL Get familiar!!! @picazo_rhap” while sharing a photo of the newly signed Picazo in October. While rapper Picazo also posted an image with the words, ”Industry ti gbalejo” (The industry welcomes a visitor).
Picazo Rhap was born Omogbolahan Sodiq Ilabode in Lagos. He has lived all his life in Lagos Mainland. He is an undergraduate of Lagos state university, studying Mass communication. He won the first prize in Chinko Ekun‘s “Waloda” rap contest and became widely known after he jumped on his “Able Gold“. Rapper Picazo had announced in excitement on the 12th of September that Olamide had followed him on Instagram, but little did he know that in a month’s time, that artiste whose photos and works he has splashed all over his Instagram page as an inspiration and a mentor would soon become his boss.
Picazo who decided to have choses YBNL label over Davido’s DMW is blessed with flows. The bulk of what Picazo does are rap covers and freestyle on his Instagram handle. All thesefinally got him breakthrough as he got noticed by Davido and Olamide. He has a number of original songs such as Olomi Lomare & Abeg ft Bitbender. He released ‘Macaroni’ in August 2018. His first single Raptad was released in March this year.
No 1: “Macaroni”by Picazo produced by SleekAmo of Bit Bender Studios (an independent platform where Picazo formerly had affiliation)
Rumor had it that there no official document of Picao being signed to YBNL already. But, lots of people have been thrilled by Picazo Rhap’s addition to Olamide’s YBNL family and we sure can’t wait to seeing Picazo’s career develop under Olamide’s mentorship just like that of artists like Adekunle Gold, Lil Kesh as well as the label’s signees like like Davolee, Temi Ovwasa, Lyta, and Limerick
CONCLUSION
A dream of every upcoming artist is to get signed to a record label and start making the money and fame. A lot of upcoming artistes get pressured into signing up any contract that comes around without seeking clarifications on the details. Don’t dare contacting record labels to tell them how talented you are without any prove, because you will be wasting your time and airtime for nothing.
No record label will ever take you serious with a phone call telling them you want a record deal. Ask necessary questions when signing a record deal
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