YBNL

Last updated
YBNL Nation
YBNL logo.jpeg
YBNL official logo
Founded2012 (2012)
Founder Olamide
StatusActive
Distributor(s) Empire Distribution
GenreVarious
Country of origin Nigeria
Location Lagos State

Yahoo Boy No Laptop Nation, popularly known as YBNL Nation or simply YBNL, is an independent record label founded by Olamide in 2012. [1] [2]

Contents

In 2020, Billboard Magazine named YBNL as one of "the Gatekeepers" of the Nigerian music industry. [3]

History

YBNL Nation was conceived during Olamide's time with ID Cabasa's Coded Tunes label. Alongside fellow Coded Tunes affiliate Pheelz, Olamide aimed to establish a platform that extended beyond the conventional structure of a record label. The vision centered on creating a collaborative and supportive environment for artists and producers, which ultimately led to the creation of YBNL Nation. [4]

The establishment of YBNL Nation was also motivated by Olamide's intention to use his growing financial success to nurture emerging talent. In an interview with Apple Music, Olamide explained that the surplus from his earnings inspired him to invest in young artists. He stated, "I just started stacking up money, and the money was becoming too much for me. I’m like, yo, I don’t have anything to do with all this money, mehn, I need to sign new guys. Let me spend money on people, you know." This focus on mentorship and reinvestment has characterized YBNL Nation, which has developed several prominent Nigerian artists. [5]

On 19 February 2020, YBNL Nation signed a distribution and publishing deal with Empire Distribution. [6]

Artists

Current acts

Former acts

Producers

Disc Jockey

Plugger

Manager

Releases

YearAlbum TitleAlbum Details
2012 YBNL
2013 Baddest Guy Ever Liveth
  • Released: November 7, 2013
  • Artiste: Olamide
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
2014 Street OT
  • Released: November 14, 2014
  • Artiste: Olamide
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
2015 2 Kings
  • Released: April 1, 2015
  • Artiste: Olamide (with Phyno)
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
Eyan Mayweather
  • Released: November 23, 2015
  • Artiste: Olamide
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
2016 Y.A.G.I
  • Released: March 17, 2016
  • Artiste: Lil Kesh
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
Gold
  • Released: July 28, 2016
  • Artiste: Adekunle Gold
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
2017 Lagos Nawa
  • Released: November 17, 2017
  • Artiste: Olamide
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
2018YBNL Mafia Family
  • Released: December 14, 2018
  • Artiste: YBNL Mafia Family
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
2019 Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps
  • Released: November 29, 2019
  • Artiste: Fireboy DML
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
2020 999 (EP)
  • Released: February 9, 2020
  • Artiste: Olamide
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
Apollo
  • Released: August 20, 2020
  • Artiste: Fireboy DML
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
Carpe Diem
  • Released: October 7, 2020
  • Artiste: Olamide
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
2021 UY Scuti
  • Released: June 18, 2021
  • Artiste: Olamide
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
2022Ololade Asake
  • Released: February 16, 2022
  • Artiste: Asake
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
Playboy
  • Released: August 5, 2022
  • Artiste: Fireboy DML
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
Mr. Money with the Vibe
  • Released: September 7, 2022
  • Artiste: Asake
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
2023 Work of Art
  • Released: June 15, 2023
  • Artiste: Asake
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
Unruly
  • Released: August 8, 2023
  • Artiste: Olamide
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
2024 Ikigai / 生き甲斐 (Vol. 1)
  • Released: June 26, 2024
  • Artiste: Olamide
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
Lungu Boy
  • Released: August 8, 2024
  • Artiste: Asake
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
Adedamola
  • Released: August 29, 2024
  • Artiste: Fireboy DML
  • Formats: Digital download, CD

Awards and nominations

YearAward ceremonyPrizeResultRef
2015 City People Entertainment Awards Record Label of the YearNominated [15]
2016Won [16]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olamide</span> Nigerian rapper and singer (born 1989)

Olamide Gbenga Adedeji is a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter, and record executive. He is regarded as one of the most influential artists in Nigeria and has been crucial to the creative and commercial success of several Afrobeats music stars, and is consistently praised for his role in elevating street pop to mainstream recognition as a distinct music genre. He records in Yoruba and English. In 2011, he released his debut studio album Rapsodi while signed to Coded Tunes. YBNL, his follow-up album, was released under his label imprint "Yahoo Boy No Laptop", also known as YBNL Nation. The album was supported by the singles "First of All", "Voice of the Street", "Stupid Love", and "Ilefo Illuminati". On 7 November 2013, he released his third studio album Baddest Guy Ever Liveth. The album's singles include "Durosoke" and "Yemi My Lover". On 17 July 2013, Olamide became the first Nigerian to sign an endorsement deal with Cîroc.

<i>Baddest Guy Ever Liveth</i> 2013 studio album by Olamide

Baddest Guy Ever Liveth is the third studio album by Nigerian musician Olamide. It was released on November 7, 2013, by YBNL Nation. Recorded between 2012 and 2013, the album features collaborations with Pheelz, Ice Prince, Pepenazi, Phyno and Bez, among others. Baddest Guy Ever Liveth was produced entirely by Pheelz, except for the thirteenth track "Sitting on the Throne".

<i>YBNL</i> (album) 2012 studio album by Olamide

YBNL is the second studio album by Nigerian musician Olamide. It was released by YBNL Nation on 12 November 2012. A follow-up to his debut studio album, Rapsodi (2011), YBNL features collaborations with Kayswitch, Tiwa Savage, Dammy Krane, Davido, Kida Kudz, and Reminisce, among others. Its production was handled by Pheelz, Samklef, I.D Cabasa, 2Kriss and Tyrone. YBNL was supported by the singles "Ilefo Illuminati", "First of All", "Stupid Love" and "Voice of the Street".

<i>2 Kings</i> (album) 2015 studio album by Olamide and Phyno

2 Kings is a collaborative studio album by Nigerian rappers Olamide and Phyno. It was released through Cloud 9 and the iTunes Store with little announcement on 1 April 2015, by Penthauze Music and YBNL Nation. The album features collaborations with producers and guest artists such as Wizkid, Lil Kesh, Storm Rex, Pheelz, Major Bangz, B.Banks and Young John. Prior to recording the album, Olamide and Phyno frequently collaborated with each other on several songs, including "Ghost Mode" and "Dope Money". The album produced the singles "Une" and "Confam Ni".

<i>Street OT</i> 2014 studio album by Olamide

Street OT is the fourth studio album by Nigerian rapper Olamide. It was released on November 14, 2014 through YBNL Nation. The album is a follow-up to his 2013 Baddest Guy Ever Liveth album. Preceded by the singles titled "Story For The Gods" and "Goons Mi", Street OT features guest appearances from Pasuma, Lil Kesh, Chinko Ekun, Phyno, Don Jazzy, and Reminisce. Its production was handled by Pheelz, B-Banks and Young Jonn. The ideology of the title of the album is to glorify and show his love for the "streets", a word with which Olamide is synanimous with.

Keshinro Ololade, known professionally as Lil Kesh, is a Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter. He rose to the limelight after releasing the hit single "Shoki".

Adekunle Almoruf Kosoko, known professionally as Adekunle Gold and AG Baby, is a Nigerian Afrobeats singer and songwriter currently signed to Def Jam Recordings. He gained widespread attention after releasing the 2015 hit single "Sade", a highlife cover of One Direction's "Story of My Life". He signed a record deal with YBNL Nation and released his 2015 debut studio album Gold, which debuted at number 7 on the Billboard World Albums chart. Gold was preceded by the release of three singles: "Sade", "Orente" and "Pick Up". Adekunle Gold revealed to Nigerian Entertainment Today that prior to signing with YBNL, he designed the label's official logo and completed other designs for Lil Kesh, Viktoh and Olamide. In 2023, he released Tequila Ever After, his fifth studio album and first under Def Jam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pheelz</span> Nigerian record producer and singer

Phillip Kayode Moses, better known as Pheelz, is a Nigerian record producer, singer, songwriter, and graphic designer. Pheelz is credited to have produced all but one song on Olamide's Baddest Guy Ever Liveth album. In 2022, he had a hit with his song "Finesse", a collaboration with Bnxn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Young Jonn</span> Nigerian singer, songwriter and sound producer (born 1995)

John Saviours Udomboso, 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 Davido. He had music production credits on industry hits during the 2010s and was affiliated with the YBNL mafia family going on to be ranked #3 in The NET's list of "Nigeria's Top 7 Biggest Music Producers" and went on to be nominated in the "Producer of The Year" at the 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards and The Headies 2015.

<i>Y.A.G.I</i> 2016 studio album by Lil Kesh

Young And Getting It, stylized as Y.A.G.I, is the debut studio album by Nigerian rapper Lil Kesh. Released through YBNL Nation on March 17, 2016, the album features vocals from Phyno, YCEE, Wale, Patoranking, Adekunle Gold, Olamide, Davido, Viktoh and Chinko Ekun with music production from in-house producers Young Jonn and Pheelz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olamide discography</span>

This is the discography of Nigerian rapper Olamide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pepenazi</span> Musical artist

Opeyemi Gbenga Kayode, known by his stage name Pepenazi, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter.

<i>Gold</i> (Adekunle Gold album) 2016 studio album by Adekunle Gold

Gold is the debut studio album of Nigerian recording artist Adekunle Gold, released on 28 July 2016, by YBNL Nation. It features one guest appearance from Simi and production from B Banks, Masterkraft, Oscar Heman-Ackah, Pheelz, SeyiKeyz, and Sleekamo. Prior to its release, six singles were released off the album to positive reviews, with "Sade" and "Orente" being his breakthrough singles.

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Eniola Olamilekan Adedeji, known professionally as DJ Enimoney, is a Nigerian disc jockey. Enimoney is the official disc jockey of YBNL Nation and younger brother of Nigerian rapper, Olamide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chinko Ekun</span> Nigerian rapper and songwriter

Oladipo Olamide Emmanuel, known professionally as Chinko Ekun, is a Nigerian rapper and songwriter. He is a graduate of Law from the Obafemi Awolowo University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lyta</span> Nigerian singer

Babatunde Rahim, known professionally as Lyta, is a Nigerian singer. He signed a record deal with YBNL Nation in 2018 but left the label in May 2019 after having a disagreement with the label owner Olamide. He released the 5-track debut EP Id in 2019.

<i>999</i> (EP) 2020 EP by Olamide

999 is an extended play by Nigerian rapper Olamide. It was released on 9 February 2020 through YBNL Nation with music production credits to Pheelz, ID Cabasa, Eskeez, and others. The EP is a follow-up to his 2018 collaborative Project YBNL Mafia.

The following list is a discography of production by Pheelz, a Nigeria record producer from Lagos State.

"Who You Epp?" is a song by Nigerian rapper Olamide. It was released on 2 April 2016 and was produced by Shizzi. The song gained traction from an open-verse challenge, where the rapper left 16 bars remaining in the song, for artists to add their own vocals to it. Many artists participated, whether mainstream or non-mainstream artists. Phyno collaborated with Olamide for the official remix of "Who You Epp?" titled "Who You Epp? (Refix)," and Wande Coal's verse was later added. Olamide won Best Street-Hop Artiste for the song at the 2016 edition of the Headies.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Samuel Abulude; Obinna Ezealah (19 October 2018). "Nigeria: Record Labels - Olamide and Bragging Rights". AllAfrica.com. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  2. The Chef (2 September 2015). "How To Make A Hit Song – The Formula; Case Study – YBNL". 360Nobs. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  3. Cirisano, Tatiana. "The Gatekeepers". Billboard. p. 3. Archived from the original on 3 June 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  4. Ayeni, Gbemiga (23 July 2015). "Custodian Interview: Pheelz (YBNL Producer)". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Retrieved 23 December 2024.
  5. Fasan, Yewande (29 August 2023). "Why I established my record label – Olamide". The Nation . Retrieved 23 December 2024.
  6. Alake, Motolani (19 February 2020). "What does the EMPIRE joint-venture deal mean for Olamide and YBNL? [Opinion]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  7. Monday, Wisdom (2024-07-11). "Olamide benky Another Young Artist, West mixture To YBNL". west mixture. Retrieved 2019-05-29.
  8. "Senth Biography And Net Worth, Real Name, Record Label, Age, State, Tribe, Songs, YBNL, Career". 2022-12-02. Retrieved 2022-12-02.
  9. "Lil Kesh leaves YBNL forms own record label, YAGI". Vanguard. April 26, 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  10. 1 2 Temitope Delano (December 29, 2016). "Adekunle Gold, Chinko Ekun And Viktoh Exit YBNL". TooXclusive. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  11. Joan Omionawele (May 13, 2017). "Olamide confirms Adekunle Gold has left YBNL". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  12. Rotimi Agbana (January 28, 2017). "Ex YBNL singer, Xino apologises to Olamide, YBNL team". Vanguard. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  13. Reserved, Checkout these hot section on NL Naijaloaded © 2009-2019 All Rights (2019-05-28). "YBNL Exit Issue ts omologo Shares What Happened Between Him And Olamide On NL TV (Watch Video) » Naijaloaded". Naijaloaded | Nigeria's Most Visited Music & Entertainment Website. Retrieved 2019-05-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  14. "Rapper signs two new artists to YBNL". Pulse Nigeria. 2018-02-14. Retrieved 2020-02-22.
  15. Banah, Namang (10 July 2015). "Sarkodie, Ameyaw Debrah, Yvonne Nelson, Juliet Ibrahim & others nominated". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
  16. Showemimo, Adedayo (26 July 2016). "Full List Of Winners at 2016 City People Entertainment Awards". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 28 July 2016.