YBNL
| YBNL Nation | |
|---|---|
YBNL official logo | |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Founder | Olamide |
| Status | Active |
| Distributor | Empire Distribution |
| Genre | Various |
| Country of origin | Nigeria |
| Location | Lagos State |
YBNL Nation (an acronym for Yahoo Boy No Laptop Nation), or simply YBNL, is an independent record label founded by Olamide in 2012.[1][2]
In 2020, Billboard magazine named YBNL as one of "the Gatekeepers" of the Nigerian music industry.[3]
History
YBNL Nation was founded during Olamide's time at ID Cabasa's Coded Tunes. Alongside Pheelz, he wanted a platform that supported collaboration among artists and producers.[4] Olamide also used his growing earnings to mentor emerging talent, saying he needed to "spend money on people." This approach helped YBNL Nation develop several notable Nigerian artists.[5] On 19 February 2020, YBNL Nation signed a distribution and publishing deal with Empire Distribution.[6]
Artists
Current acts
Former acts
- Lil Kesh[8]
- Viktoh[9]
- Chinko Ekun[9]
- Adekunle Gold[10]
- Xino[11]
- Davolee
- Lyta[12]
- Picazo Rhap[1]
- Pelepele (deceased)[1]
- Limerick[13]
- Yomi Blaze
- Temmie Ovwasa
- Asake
Producers
- B-Banks
- P.Priime
- Pheelz
- Young Jonn
Disc Jockey
Plugger
Manager
- Alexander Okeke
- Oluwaseun Fasehun[15]
Releases
| Year | Album title | Album Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | YBNL |
|
| 2013 | Baddest Guy Ever Liveth |
|
| 2014 | Street OT |
|
| 2015 | 2 Kings | |
| Eyan Mayweather |
| |
| 2016 | Y.A.G.I |
|
| Gold |
| |
| 2017 | Lagos Nawa |
|
| 2018 | YBNL Mafia Family |
|
| 2019 | Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps |
|
| 2020 | 999 (EP) |
|
| Apollo |
| |
| Carpe Diem |
| |
| 2021 | UY Scuti |
|
| 2022 | Ololade Asake |
|
| Playboy |
| |
| Mr. Money with the Vibe |
| |
| 2023 | Work of Art |
|
| Unruly |
| |
| 2024 | Ikigai / 生き甲斐 (Vol. 1) |
|
| Lungu Boy |
| |
| Adedamola |
| |
| 2025 | Olamidé (album) |
|
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award ceremony | Prize | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | City People Entertainment Awards | Record Label of the Year | Nominated | [16] |
| 2016 | Won | [17] |
References
- ^ a b c Samuel Abulude; Obinna Ezealah (19 October 2018). "Nigeria: Record Labels - Olamide and Bragging Rights". AllAfrica.com. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
- ^ The Chef (2 September 2015). "How To Make A Hit Song – The Formula; Case Study – YBNL". 360Nobs. Archived from the original on 7 November 2015. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
- ^ Cirisano, Tatiana. "The Gatekeepers". Billboard. p. 3. Archived from the original on 3 June 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
- ^ Ayeni, Gbemiga (23 July 2015). "Custodian Interview: Pheelz (YBNL Producer)". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Retrieved 23 December 2024.
- ^ Fasan, Yewande (29 August 2023). "Why I established my record label – Olamide". The Nation. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
- ^ Alake, Motolani (19 February 2020). "What does the EMPIRE joint-venture deal mean for Olamide and YBNL? [Opinion]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- ^ Monday, Wisdom (2024-07-11). "Olamide benky Another Young Artist, West mixture To YBNL". west mixture. Retrieved 2019-05-29.
- ^ "Lil Kesh leaves YBNL forms own record label, YAGI". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. April 26, 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
- ^ a b Temitope Delano (December 29, 2016). "Adekunle Gold, Chinko Ekun And Viktoh Exit YBNL". TooXclusive. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
- ^ Joan Omionawele (May 13, 2017). "Olamide confirms Adekunle Gold has left YBNL". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
- ^ Rotimi Agbana (January 28, 2017). "Ex YBNL singer, Xino apologises to Olamide, YBNL team". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
- ^ 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) - ^ "Rapper signs two new artists to YBNL". Pulse Nigeria. 2018-02-14. Retrieved 2020-02-22.
- ^ "Olaitan Salaudeen: A journey in Nigerian music promotion | Pulse Nigeria". www.pulse.ng. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ^ "Fireboy DML - Agent, Manager, Publicist Contact Info". Booking Agent Info. Retrieved 2025-11-18.
- ^ Banah, Namang (10 July 2015). "Sarkodie, Ameyaw Debrah, Yvonne Nelson, Juliet Ibrahim & others nominated". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
- ^ Showemimo, Adedayo (26 July 2016). "Full List Of Winners at 2016 City People Entertainment Awards". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 28 July 2016.