Chocolate City is a Nigerian record label founded in 2005 by lawyer Audu Maikori, Paul Okeugo]] and Yahaya Maikori. Generally regarded as one of the most successful indigenous urban record labels in Africa, 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 announced a partnership 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.
Panshak Henry Zamani better known as Ice Prince Zamani or just Ice Prince, is a Nigerian rapper and actor. He rose to fame after releasing "Oleku", one of Nigeria's most remixed songs of all time. He won the 2009 Hennessy Artistry Club Tour. His debut studio album Everybody Loves Ice Prince was released in 2011. It was supported by three singles: "Oleku", "Superstar" and "Juju". In 2013, Ice Prince released Fire of Zamani as his second studio album. The album contained the singles "Aboki", "More", "Gimme Dat" and "I Swear". On 1 July 2015, Ice Prince was announced as the vice president of Chocolate City. He held the position until he left the label in 2016. He has collaborated with top African rappers like Navio of Uganda, Khaligraph Jones of Kenya, AKA of South Africa, Sarkodie of Ghana among others.
The Nigerian Entertainment Awards were established in New York City in January 2006. The awards recognize the contributions of African entertainers with a special focus on Nigerians.
Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, known professionally as Wizkid, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. A prominent figure in the modern day Afrobeats music scene, he is regarded as one of the most commercially successful and most influential artists of the genre.
Olamide Gbenga Adedeji is a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter, and record executive. One of the most influential artists in Africa, he has been pivotal 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," aka 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. In November 2023, Olamide received his first nomination at the 66th Annual Grammy Award for the song "Amapiano" alongside his signee Asake, becoming the first Nigerian hip hop act in history to achieve this feat.
Fire of Zamani is the second studio album by Nigerian hip hop recording artist Ice Prince. It was released by Chocolate City on October 28, 2013. The album was executively produced by Audu Maikori, Paul Okeugo, Yahaya Maikori, and Jude Abaga. It was mastered by Sean Stan of Vintage Sounds Production. The album's production was primarily handled by Chopstix, a member of Grip Boiz City, along with additional production from Don Jazzy, Jay Sleek, Sammy Gyang, and E-Kelly. It features guest appearances from Sunny Neji, Wale, M.I, Chip, Ruby Gyang, Wizkid, French Montana, Jesse Jagz, Olamide, Sound Sultan, Burna Boy, Yung L, Jeremiah Gyang, Shaydee, and Morell. The album was supported by four singles—"Aboki", "More", "Gimme Dat", and "I Swear". It was marketed to East Africans by the distribution platform Mdundo.
Omo Baba Olowo is the debut studio album by Nigerian singer Davido. It was released by HKN Music on July 17, 2012. The album was produced by Jay Sleek, Maleek Berry, GospelOnDeBeatz, Spellz, Dokta Frabz, Mr. Chidoo, Theory Soundz and Shizzi. Its release was preceded by four singles: "Back When", "Dami Duro", "Ekuro" and "Overseas". The album's music is a mixture of Afrobeats and hip hop. It features guest appearances from Naeto C, Sina Rambo, B-Red, Kayswitch, Ice Prince, May D and 2 Face Idibia. Omo Baba Olowo received generally negative reviews from music critics, who denounced its lyrical content and Davido's songwriting. The album won Best R&B/Pop Album and received a nomination for Album of the Year at The Headies 2013. It was also nominated for Best Album of the Year at the 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.
Clarence Abiodun Peters is a Nigerian music video director, filmmaker and cinematographer. He is the founder and CEO of Capital Dream Pictures, a production company that specialises in the realms of the performing arts, film and video. He is also the founder and CEO of Capital Hill Records, a record label home to Chidinma, Tha Suspect and Illbliss. He was ranked 2nd on Channel O's list of the Top 10 Most Visionary Music Video Directors.
"Surulere" is a song by Nigerian singer Dr SID. It was released on November 13, 2013, as the lead single from his second studio album Siduction (2013). Don Jazzy produced the song and was featured on it. "Surulere" peaked at number 1 on MTV Base's Official Naija Top 10 chart from March 21 through March 27, 2014. It also peaked at number 2 on the Pulse Nigeria Music Video chart. Moreover, it was ranked fourth on YouTube's most watched Nigerian videos for the first quarter of 2014. In a nutshell, the song is a reflection of Dr SID's musical journey.
The 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards was the 8th edition of the ceremony. It was held at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts in New York and hosted by Basketmouth.
The 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards took place on 31 August 2014, at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts in New York City. The eligibility period was from March 2013 to March 2014. In April 2014, the NEA reviewing committee began collecting submissions for the 2014 edition. The deadline for submission was April 30, 2014, and the nominations were announced on May 29, 2014. Tiwa Savage and Davido received the most nominations with 5 each. Don Jazzy, Flavour N'abania and Wizkid all got four nominations each, while Olamide, Patoranking, Chidinma and Oritse Femi followed closely with three nominations.
The 2012 Nigeria Entertainment Awards was the 7th edition of the ceremony. The event was held on September 2, 2012 at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, New York City. The event was hosted by Funke Akindele and Ayo Makun. Winners included Wizkid, Davido, Don Jazzy and Tineh Tempah.
Emmanuel Nwankwo, known by his stage name Emmy Gee, is a Nigerian rapper based in South Africa. His debut single "Rands and Nairas" peaked at number 7 on South Africa's official music chart. He started recording music at age 16 and worked with producer Shizzi in 2004. He co-founded the entertainment and clothing apparel company known as Teamtalkless.
"Rands and Nairas" is a song by Nigerian recording artist Emmy Gee featuring AB Crazy and DJ Dimplez. The song was produced by American producer Christian "Vybe Beatz" Arceo. It peaked at number 7 on South Africa's official music chart.
Chibuzo Nelson Azubuike, known professionally as Phyno, is a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer. Regarded as one of the most successful African rappers and influential African rappers of all time. He is a native of Anambra State, Phyno was born and raised in Enugu State. He started his music career as a producer in 2003, and is renowned for rapping in the Igbo language. His debut studio album No Guts No Glory was released in 2014. It was supported by the singles "Ghost Mode", "Man of the Year", "Parcel" and "O Set".
Tush Magazine is a Nigerian-based glossy full colour magazine which is released quarterly both in print and digital versions of the magazine. It targets the youth market and its contents include articles, coverage and interviews which focus on music, fashion, movie, art, technology, events, relationships, and business. Published by Tush Kingdom Media, Tush Magazine has 22 issues, is printed in English language and is distributed all over Nigeria and on the internet. Tush Magazine also has a Meet and Greet events where personalities featured in each issue give out free autographed copies of Tush Magazine alongside other gifts.
Oluseye Desmond Sodamola, professionally known as Spinall, is a Yoruba Nigerian disc jockey, record producer, and songwriter. He was the official DJ to Wande Coal while he was affiliated with Mavin Records. He created a style edge to his outfit known as TheCAP, tracing his roots back to his culture.
The 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards was the 10th edition of the Nigeria Entertainment Awards. Wizkid won the most awards while Olamide received the most nominations with three across 39 award categories. Kiss Daniel won the Best New Act to Watch award while Praiz won the Best R&B Act award after he toppled the likes of Banky W, Chidinma, Seyi Shay, Timi Dakolo and Shaydee. The award was held at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, New York City, U.S.A and was hosted by Osas Ighodaro and Ice Prince.
Victoria Kimani is a Kenyan singer, songwriter, and entertainer previously signed to Nigerian record label Chocolate City. Her debut album was released in 2016.
Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade, better known by his stage name Mr Eazi, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record executive. He is the pioneer of Banku music, a fusion of sound he describes as a mixture of Ghanaian highlife and Nigerian chord progressions and patterns. Mr Eazi relocated to Kumasi in 2008 and enrolled at KNUST, where he began booking artists to perform at college parties. He showed interest in music after recording a guest verse on "My Life", a song that gained traction and became a popular record at KNUST. Mr Eazi released his debut mixtape About to Blow in 2013. He gained an international audience following the release of the Efya-assisted single "Skin Tight". His second mixtape, titled Life Is Eazi, Vol. 1 – Accra To Lagos, was released in 2017.
