Nigeria’s music scene is a factory of hits, but every once in a while, a song drops that takes over timelines, parties, car rides, and even your parent’s ringtone. These songs are by the labels, so all the artist come together and give us a track. There are so many hit tracks from different record labels but today, we are throwing it back a couple years. This is to well-up that nostalgic effect because who doesn’t love being reminded of a dope track and how good it made them feel or what they were doing and who they were with.
Let’s take a quick spin through five songs by Nigerian record labels that had the whole country (and beyond) singing along.
1. Mavin Records – Dorobucci
In 2014, Mavin Records had us all chanting Dorobucci like it was a secret password to good vibes. With Don Jazzy, Tiwa Savage, Dr Sid, Korede Bello, Reekado Banks, Di’ja and D’Prince in the mix. The track was playful, catchy, and everywhere you turned. The BBM, Instagram and Twitter name change to include Doro was mindblowing so years later when Tiwa Savage mentioned in an interview that she didn’t want the song released I was like ma’am, you would have prevented me from changing my name to DoroMimz? It wasn’t just a hit it was a whole movement.
2. DMW – Mind
Davido Music Worldwide gave us a love song that made me feel how I felt whenever I ate banga soup and starch, which is extremely pleased and happy. Mind, featuring Davido, Mayorkun, Dremo, and Peruzzi, was sleek, sweet, and stuck in your head whether you wanted it there or not. The video was such a delight to watch because it was fun and happy. The flow of the song from Davido to Mayorkun, to Dremo and lastly Peruzzi was well done. A certified crew anthem till date.
3. Mo’ Hits Records – Ten Ten
Mo’ Hits was a golden age. I had trouble deciding if I wanted to write Pere or BootyCall but I chose Ten Ten because I remember screaming everyday Ten Ten at random times and my friends staring at me like a weirdo and the occasional “who don break your heart” they told me. With Wande Coal, K Switch, D Prince, and Dr. Sid, Ten Ten was a loud, proud, shake-the-room kind of jam. It was fun, and it was everything we loved about the Mo’ Hits era.
4. EME – Baddest Boy
Empire Mates Entertainment (EME) gave us Baddest Boy, a flex-heavy anthem featuring Wizkid, Skales, and Banky W. The beat slapped, the verses dripped confidence, and it confirmed EME’s place as a label that wasn’t here to play. Talk about a trio of trouble (in the best way).
5. Mo’ Hits Records – BootyCall
I know I know Mo’Hits is appearing twice. That’s what happens when you make great and timeless music with some of Africa’s biggest stars. You know you are screaming “I love that booty” so its a win win. D’Banj, Wande Coal, Dr SID, D’Prince, K-Switch saying Wande Coal again because what he did on this song needs a repeat of his name. Mo’Hits was indeed an era.
From club bangers to radio takeovers, these record labels didn’t just drop songs—they dropped culture. So next time you’re vibing to a throwback hit, don’t forget to thank the Label Lords who made it all happen.