| Grafton Entertainment | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Founder | Tonye Ibiama |
| Status | Active |
| Genre | Hip hop, R&B, pop, world |
| Country of origin | Nigeria |
| Location | Port Harcourt, London |
| Official website | Grafton Entertainment |
Grafton Entertainment, sometimes referred to as Grafton Records, is an artist management company and record label, with dual-headquarters in both Nigeria and United Kingdom.
Grafton Entertainment was formed in 2004 by Tonye Ibiama, who created the company with the intention to bring the vast talent pool in Port Harcourt into the national and global spotlight. The first artists to join the label's roster were De Indispensables, a hip hop duo consisting of members Lenny B and Tick Lips. [1] They were signed to the company in 2004 following their impressive performance on the Grafton Entertainment Music Hunt. [2] The competition, which was organized by the record label in collaboration with Rhythm 93.7 launched not only De Indispensables but demonstrated the company's professionalism and efficiency. M Trill became the second artist to be signed to Grafton Entertainment, after De Indispensables. [3]
Grafton endorsed the release of three hugely popular singles by Lenny B and Tick Lips – "Sweet Mama", "Cinderella" (in Nigeria) and "I Love You" (in the United Kingdom via HMV stores). Throughout 2005, "Sweet Mama" topped various mainstream charts in Nigeria. In the UK, it charted at number 16 on the UK DMC Urban chart. [4] The other single titled "I Love You" debuted at number-three on the R&B charts and at number thirty-seven on the UK Top 40. In 2007, De Indispensables won Best West African Act at the Channel O Music Video Awards after "I Love You" entered the Channel O Chart at number one and stayed at the top for three weeks. "Peace Song" which was recorded alongside M Trill also managed to clinch the number-one spot on the MTV Base Africa Chart for four weeks. [5] [6]
| Name | Year signed | Albums under Grafton | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idahams | 2016 | — | Singer, Songwriter and Record producer. |
| Big Mouf | 2010 | — | Rapper, DJ and record producer. Big Mouf began writing and performing music in shows back in high school in 1994. |
| J-Boy | 2011 | 2 | Reggae gospel singer raised in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. J-Boy has maintained a solo career, with two successful albums to his credit. |
| Mr. 2Kay | 2010 | 1 | Real name Abiye David Jumbo. Released his debut studio album Waterside Boy in March 2012. [7] |
| Prince Hezekiah | — | — | — |
| Tha IBZ | 2009 | 1 | Duo composed of Big Mou (Ibidabo Aprioku) and his younger brother I-B-Z (Ibiso Aprioku). Their debut studio album was released in February 2009. |
| Name | Years on the label | Albums under Grafton | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slim Burna | 2008 | — | Burna worked primarily as a record producer at the Grafton Studio in Port Harcourt. He later left the label to start Street Rhymes. |
| De Indispensables [3] | 2004–2008 | 1 | Duo of Lenny B and Tick Lips parted ways with Grafton in 2008 and are currently signed to their own record label Ijaw Boyz Entertainment. |
| M Trill [8] | 2005–2010 | 2 | M Trill left the label in 2010 after spending five years there. He completed one studio album and one mixtape for Grafton Entertainment after moving from Xcel Music. |
Leonard Albert Kravitz is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and actor.
Mama Said is the second studio album by American rock musician Lenny Kravitz, released in April 1991 by Virgin Records. Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash co-wrote and played on the song "Always on the Run". He also played on the song "Fields of Joy". The song "All I Ever Wanted" was co-written by Sean Lennon.
"Are You Gonna Go My Way" is a song by American musician Lenny Kravitz, released in February 1993 by Virgin Records as the first single from his third studio album, Are You Gonna Go My Way (1993). The song was written by Kravitz and Craig Ross, while Kravitz produced it. It peaked at number one in Australia and number four on the UK Singles Chart, as well as number one on the US Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart and number two on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. Its music video was directed by Mark Romanek.
"It Ain't Over 'til It's Over" is a song written, produced, and performed by American musician Lenny Kravitz for his second studio album, Mama Said (1991). Released as the album's second single in June 1991 by Virgin, the song is a mid-tempo ballad musically inspired by Motown, Philly soul, and Earth, Wind & Fire. The horn line at the end is performed by the Phenix Horns from Earth, Wind & Fire. "That song just came out one day, and I knew it had a classic vibe. And I still love that song very much today," Kravitz said in an interview for VivaMusic.com in 2000. The line is based on a Yogiism, or quotation from Yogi Berra: "It ain't over 'til it's over."
Inetimi Alfred Timaya Odon (born 15 August 1980), better known by his stage name Timaya, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He is from Odi, Bayelsa state, South-South Nigeria. Timaya is known for combining Nigerian pop with elements of dancehall, hip-hop, and soca, as well as his blend of Afro-Caribbean/Dancehall music. He is the founder of DM Records Limited, were he is also signed.
Lucky Lips is a song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. It was originally recorded by Ruth Brown in 1956 and was successfully covered by Cliff Richard in 1963.
American singer Lenny Kravitz has released 12 studio albums, one greatest hits compilation album, four box set compilation albums, two extended plays, 62 singles, and eight video albums, including three live albums. His debut album, Let Love Rule (1989), peaked at number 61 in the US, and while receiving generally positive reviews, it became a huge success in Europe but took a long time to reach success in the US. Its followers, Mama Said (1991) and Are You Gonna Go My Way (1993), sold better overall than his debut, achieving platinum and multi-platinum status respectively, establishing Kravitz in the music industry and expanding his success in Europe and South America. However, despite only two years between albums, personal issues such as substance abuse problems, the aftermath of divorce, and his mother Roxie Roker's illness led to a decline in commercial sales with Circus (1995).
Sidney Onoriode Esiri, commonly known as Dr SID, is a Nigerian singer.
Defected Records is a British independent record label specialising in house music recordings, compilation albums, events, publishing, artist booking and management. One of the longest running independent labels of its kind, Defected has paved the way for house music in the UK and remained a well-respected constant in the music industry for over 20 years.
Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, who is known professionally as Wizkid, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. Born in the Ojuelegba suburb of Surulere, Lagos, Wizkid is a prominent voice in the emerging Afrobeats movement. His music is a blend of Afrobeats, afropop, R&B, afrobeat, reggae, dancehall, and pop. He began recording music at the age of 11 and released a collaborative album with the Glorious Five, a group he and a couple of his church friends formed. In 2009, Wizkid signed a record deal with Banky W's Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E). He rose to the limelight after releasing "Holla at Your Boy", the lead single from his debut studio album, Superstar (2011), which also spawned the singles "Tease Me/Bad Guys" and "Don't Dull".
Duncan Wene Mighty Okechukwu, simply known as Duncan Mighty, is a Nigerian musician, singer, and music producer from Obio-Akpor Local government area, Rivers State. Though his musical style demonstrates a high-level of genre versatility, it is also heavily influenced by the sounds and culture of his people and ethnicity as most of his songs are sung in his native Ikwerre language.
Port Harcourt, a city of Rivers State located to the south of Nigeria, has a thriving music scene encompassing both native African and foreign-influenced genres. It plays host to numerous radio stations, prominent recording studios, such as the Street Rhymes Studios and other music institutions. As a state capital, Port Harcourt has of one of the liveliest club scenes in the country as well as music venues, bars and restaurants. As of 2015, hip hop, pop, highlife and reggae are most popular music styles among young people in the city.
Deborah Oluwaseyi Joshua, known professionally as Seyi Shay, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and actress. In 2008, she became the lead singer for the now defunct pop girl group From Above. The group signed a recording deal with Sony's Columbia Records and was managed by Mathew Knowles' Music World Entertainment company. In November 2013, Shay signed an endorsement deal with telecommunications service provider Etisalat. In July 2015, she signed a record deal with Island Records. In 2015, she signed a two-year endorsement deal with Pepsi. Shay released her debut studio album Seyi or Shay in November 2015. It was supported by the promotional singles "Irawo", "Ragga Ragga", "Right Now" and "Murda", featuring Patoranking and Shaydee. In January 2021, she signed a publishing deal with the French division of Universal Music Publishing Group
Street Rhymes Studios is a Port Harcourt-based independent, sound recording studio founded by singer and record producer Slim Burna, after he quit working for record label Grafton Records in late 2008. The studio operates out of Burna's residential building, 10 Railway Close, in D-line. Notable musical acts who have used the facility include award-winning Nigerian rapper M-Trill and pop singer-songwriter Muma Gee. Others are, Bukwild Da Ikwerrian, Knowledge, DJ Joenel, Zubillionaire, Spaceman, and KING STUNNA.
Number One is the debut studio album by Nigerian rapper M Trill. It was released on 17 October 2008 by Grafton Records with distribution by Afrobest Productions. Supported by the hit single "Bounce" which gained airplay on several major radio stations, the album contains guest appearances from 2Shotz, Ruggedman, Timaya, Uchie, Korkormikor, Frank D Nero, ShoBoi and vocals from Ghanaian singer Fire. All songs on Number One were written solely by Teria Yarhere. Although the record involved a lot more rap music, it also encompassed a distinct highlife/hip hop sound.
Tamunotonye Soipiriala Adonye Ibiama, commonly known as Tonye Ibiama or Big T is a UK-based Nigerian music executive, talent manager, and businessman. He is the founder and CEO of Grafton Entertainment, he has helped launch the careers of many artists including De Indispensables, M Trill, Idahams, Tha IBZ, and Mr. 2Kay.
Sasha P, also known as the "First Lady of Nigerian Hip Hop", is a Nigerian rapper, musician, businesswoman, lawyer, and motivational speaker.
Abinye David Jumbo born, known by his stage name Mr 2Kay, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He was formally signed by Grafton Entertainment, but left the label in 2018 to start his own imprint, Better Life Entertainment.
Hart Idawarifagha Ishmael, known professionally as Idahams, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer. He secured a record deal with Grafton Entertainment in 2016 and joined the Universal Music Nigeria roaster in 2019. Idahams made his first break in 2018 through the song "God Can Bless Anybody" by Mr 2Kay which he wrote and also featured on, the song topped the ITunes Chart barely a week after release.
Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, known professionally as Ayra Starr, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter.