YBNL

YBNL Nation
YBNL official logo
Founded2012 (2012)
FounderOlamide
StatusActive
Distributor(s)Empire Distribution
GenreVarious
Country of originNigeria
LocationLagos 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]

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

  • Alexander Okeke

Releases

Year Album Title Album 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
2018 YBNL 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
2022 Ololade 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

Year Award ceremony Prize Result Ref
2015 City People Entertainment Awards Record Label of the Year Nominated [15]
2016 Won [16]

References

  1. ^ a b c d 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. ^ a b 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.