# Chocolate City (record label)

Chocolate City is a Nigerian record label founded in 2005 by lawyers Audu Maikori, Paul Okeugo, and Yahaya Maikori. Generally regarded as one of Africa's most successful indigenous urban record labels, 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 partnered 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.
The label has been home to recording artists such as M.I Abaga, Femi Kuti, Nosa, Dice Ailes, Blaqbonez, ClassiQ, CKay, Candy Bleakz,Young John Torna, and Dijay Cinch. Artists formerly signed to the label include Victoria Kimani, Ice Prince, DJ Caise, DJ Lambo, Jeremiah Gyang, Ruby Gyang, Pryse, Brymo, Koker, Jesse Jagz, Lemon Adisa, Mr. Gbafun, Ijay, Kahli Abdu & VHS Safari. Chocolate City has also worked on the careers of artistes such as Djinee and Asa. In 2012, business mogul and philanthropist Hakeem Bello-Osagie joined the board of Chocolate City Group as its chairman. Reuters International has documented Chocolate City's influence on the evolution of the Nigerian music industry. The label is headed by Mr Abuchi Peter Ugwu, who took over from M.I Abaga.

## History

Founded as a nightclub in 1997, Chocolate City quickly became the number one promotions outfit in the Northern part of Nigeria and moved into the industry mainstream in 2005 with the launch of the record label (Chocolate City Music). In 2001, Audu Maikori and Paul Okeugo founded the Guild of Artistes and Poets, called an "arts appreciation society" which held weekly meetings which focused on the arts, music, poetry and creativity as a means of youth engagement and empowerment.
Under the leadership of MI, Chocolate City expanded by creating sub-labels that included 100 Crowns which discovered and signed Blaqbonez, and UpNorth Records, which signed Classiq and Dijay Cinch, it had its first-ever press conference where every artiste was present to answer questions from members of the press. The press conference was planned to be every month, but it only had been held once
In March 2019, Chocolate City signed a worldwide distribution deal with Warner Music Group.

## G.A.P

The G.A.P later became one of the new age art renaissance movements, which quickly gained membership in Jos, Abuja, and Lagos with a combined membership of over 3000 attendees at its peak. The GAP brought to light the need for artists to have better representation, which Audu gave in the form of pro bono legal services, and this eventually led to his registering Chocolate City with his bonus earnings from his job as a lawyer with the chambers of Afe Babalola and co. The first act to be signed to the Chocolate City label was multi-talented instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter, and producer Jeremiah Gyang (whose debut album Na BA KA sold over 4 Million copies and won numerous accolades and acclaim for the artist as well as the label).
Na Ba Ka was known for its instrumentals, which was studied by a Canadian University on Sound Engineering and Production and was even listed on the top ten charts in Israel between 2005 and 2006.
Chocolate City went on to discover and manage the careers of Djinee, M.I, Aṣa, Jesse Jagz, Ice Prince, Brymo, and other artists who have won over 70 local and international awards.
In June 2007, Audu Maikori won the British award for International Young Music Entrepreneur of the Year (IYMEY) by the British Council, making Nigeria the first country to win two global awards in the Young Creative Entrepreneurs Series (the first was Lanre Lawal (IYDEY) 2005), after beating nine countries including the Philippines, Latvia, Lithuania, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Tanzania, Egypt and Poland.

## Accolades

Chocolate City was the first Nigerian music company to attain a global music award and recognition by the British Council in 2007: International Young Music Entrepreneur of the Year (IYMEY) 2007.
Chocolate City has since worked closely with the federal government of Nigeria and several international organizations, such as the British Council, to promote creative industries and capacity-building projects in and around Nigeria. In April 2008, Chocolate City announced a major collaborative effort in partnership with the British Council and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to take a delegation of Nigerian music stakeholders to London Calling 2008 in a bid to open new vistas for the fast-growing Nigerian music industry currently valued at around $500 Million (2007). The Minister of Culture and Tourism led the 40-man delegation.
Chocolate City has also been active in promoting the Creative industries globally, having participated in several workshops and initiatives. In January 2008, Chocolate City delivered a keynote address at a workshop tagged "Mapping the Creative Industries in Albania" organized by the British Council, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and Ministry of Economy, Albania. The workshop aimed to share the experiences of creative entrepreneurs from around Europe, the U.K, and Nigeria.
Reuters International produced a documentary on the Chocolate City success story tagged "Music and Money" in recognition of its contributions to developing the Nigerian music industry.
Over the years, Chocolate City has partnered with many international and regional creative industry organisations, with affiliates in South Africa, the U.K., and the US, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the British Council toward promoting and celebrating creativity in Nigeria.
On 8 December 2011, parent company Chocolate City Group won the African Awards for Entrepreneurship, beating over 3,300 applicants from 48 African countries to clinch the runner-up prize, making history as the first entertainment company to win the prize since 2007.
Chocolate City won the "Best Record Label of the Year" award in both 2013 & 2015 at the City People Entertainment Awards. At the 2011 edition of the awards above, the record label won the "Record Label of the Year" award.
In April 2015, Maikori stepped down after ten years of piloting the affairs of the label and appointed M.I. to take over as the CEO of Chocolate City Music label while Ice Prince became the Vice President of Music for the label
Maikori assumed the position of Group CEO of Chocolate City Group, which comprised Chocolate City Music (Record Label), Chocolate City Media, CCX Lounge (live music venue franchise), Bean Agency (an experiential marketing company), and Replete Publishing (A music publishing and distribution company). Paul Okeugo was also appointed Group COO for the group.
In October 2019, M.I Abaga stepped down as CEO of Chocolate City Music. Aibee Abidoye was subsequently promoted to Executive Vice President for Chocolate City Group - her portfolio includes Music licensing, distribution, and artist projects. On 19 April 2021, Abuchi Ugwu, a long-time manager of M.I Abaga, sound engineer and producer, was appointed as substantive CEO of Chocolate City Music Ltd.

### Awards and nominations

* International Young Music Entrepreneur of the Year Award-Global Winner, 2007
* Record Label of the Year - City People Entertainment Awards, 2011
* Best Music Company - Effzye Awards, 2011
* Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship by Legatum 2011- Africa Awards

## Artist roster
### Management

| Act | Year signed |
| Femi Kuti | 2014 |

### Current artists

| Act | Year signed | Releases under the label | Ref |
| Dice Ailes | 2014 | – | |
| Yung L | 2017 | 1 | |
| ClassiQ | 2019 | – | |
| Blaqbonez | 2019 | 3 | |
| Candy Bleakz | 2020 | 2 | |
| Young Jonn | 2022 | 2 | - |
| Major Aj | 2022 | 2 | |
| Noon Dave | 2021 | 2 | |
| Tar1q | 2023 | 1 | |

### Former artists

| Act | Year signed | Year left | Album Releases under the label |
| Jeremiah Gyang | 2005 | 2010 | 1 |
| M.I | 2008 | 2020 | 8 |
| Jesse Jagz | 2010 | 2013 | 1 |
| Jesse Jagz | 2015 | 2017 | 1 |
| Ice Prince | 2010 | 2016 | 3 |
| Brymo | 2010 | 2013 | 1 |
| DJ Caise | 2011 | 2017 | 0 |
| Pryse | 2012 | 2016 | 0 |
| Victoria Kimani | 2012 | 2017 | 2 |
| Milli | 2015 | 2016 | 0 |
| Kahli Abdu & VHS Safari | 2015 | 2016 | 0 |
| Koker | 2015 | 2018 | 0 |
| DJ Lambo | 2015 | 2019 | 0 |
| Ckay | | | |
| Nosa | | | |

## Discography

| Year | Information |
| 2005 | Jeremiah Gyang - Na Ba Ka Released: May 2005 Singles: "Na Ba Ka", "Wakar Najeriya", "Gonna Be", "Kasi Tala", "Ban Da Kai" |
| 2008 | M.I - Talk About It Released: 11 December 2008 Singles: "Safe", "Anoti", "Money", "Teaser", "Crowd Mentality", "Blaze", "Short Black Boy", "Talk About It" |
| 2010 | Jesse Jagz - Jag of All Tradez Released: 20 April 2010 Singles: "Wetin Dey", "Nobody Test Me", "Love You", "Pump it Up" |
| 2010 | M.I - MI 2 Released: 23 November 2010 Singles: "Action Film", "Beef", "Undisputed", "Nobody" |
| 2011 | Ice Prince - Everybody Loves Ice Prince Released: 9 October 2011 Singles: "Superstar", "Oleku", "Juju" |
| 2012 | Brymo - The Son of a Kapenta Released: 15 November 2012 Singles: "Ara", "Good Morning", "Go Hard" |
| 2013 | Victoria Kimani - Queen Victoria Released:14 October 2013 Singles: |
| 2013 | Ice Prince - Fire of Zamani Released:28 October 2013 Singles:"I Swear", "Gimme Dat", "More", "Aboki" |
| 2014 | Nosa - Open Doors Released:14 March 2014 Singles:"Always Pray for You", "Why You Love Me" |
| 2014 | M.I - The Chairman Released: 30 October 2014 Singles: "Bad Belle", "Monkey", "Bullion Van" Sales certification: 30,000 in pre-order sales |
| 2015 | Ice Prince - Trash Can Released: 29 January 2015 Singles: "Marry You" |
| 2015 | Chocolate City - The Indestructible Choc Boi Nation Released: 30 April 2015 Singles: "Summer Time", "Suite 99" |
| 2016 | Ruby Gyang - This is Love Released: 29 February 2016 Singles:"Shakara", "Good Man" |
| 2016 | M.I - Illegal Music 3 Released: 29 February 2016 Singles:"Everything I Have Seen" |
| 2016 | Victoria Kimani - Safari Released: 5 December 2016 Singles:"Gota", "Giving You" |
| 2017 | Yung L - Better Late Than Never Released: 13 October 2017 Singles:"Gbewa", "Anya", "Pressure" |
| 2018 | M.I - Rendezvous Released: 9 February 2018 Singles:"Your Father", "Lekki" |
| 2018 | M.I - A Study on Self Worth: Yxng Dxnzl Released: 24 August 2018 Singles:"You Rappers Should Fix Up Your Lives" |
| | Blaqbonez- Bad Boy Blaq Released: 31 October 2018 Singles: "Mamiwota" feat Oxlade |
| 2019 | CKay - CKay the First (EP) Released: 30 August 2019 Singles: "Way" |
| Street Billionaires - Street Born (EP) Released: 27 September 2019 Singles: "Yoruba Ni Mi" | |
| Blaqbonez- Bad Boy Blaq (re-up) Released: 8 Feb 2019 Blaqbonez - Mr. Boombastic Released: 25 October 2019 Singles: "Shut Up", Mr. Boombastic Blaqbonez- Young Preacher Released: 28 October 2022 Singles: Back in Uni | |
| Nosa- Na Your Way | |
| Candy Bleakz Singles- Owo Osu feat Zlatan, Naira Marley Released: 31 May 2019 Virus | |
| 2020 | MI Abaga- The Live Report (EP) Released: 15 April 2020 African Knockout Released: 23 October 2020 |
| | Nosa Singles -Dry Bones (13 March 2020) - If God Be For Me (1 May 2020) |
| | CkayLove Nwantintin remix (feat Joeboy, Kuami Eugene) |
| | Candy Bleakz Kelegbe (17 April 2020) Won La (11 September 2020) |
| 2021 | MI AbagaSinglesTBDK (19 March 2021)All My Life (4 June 2021) |
| | Blaqbonez- Sex Over Love Released: 30 April 2021 Singles: Bling |
| | Candy Bleakz- Singles Kope (19 March 2021)Baba Nla feat Teni (27 May 2021) |
| 2022 | Young Jonn- Singles Dada Dada Remix feat Davido (28 April 2022) Normally Xtra Cool EP Love Is Not Enough Love Is Not Enough Vol 2 |
| | Candy Bleakz Tikuku (single)- Released 29 April 2022 FIRE EP - Released 24 June 2022 |