YBNL

YBNL Nation
YBNL official logo
Founded2012 (2012)
FounderOlamide
StatusActive
DistributorEmpire Distribution
GenreVarious
Country of originNigeria
LocationLagos State

YBNL Nation (an acronym for Yahoo Boy No Laptop Nation), or simply YBNL, is an independent record label founded by Olamide in 2012.

In 2020, Billboard magazine named YBNL as one of "the Gatekeepers" of the Nigerian music industry.

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

Artists

Current acts


Former acts

Producers

Disc Jockey

Plugger

Manager

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
2025 Olamidé (album)
  • Released: June 19, 2025
  • Artiste: Olamide
  • Formats: Digital download, CD

Awards and nominations

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

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. Archived from the original on 7 November 2015. 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. Lagos, Nigeria. 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.[dead link]
  8. ↑ "Lil Kesh leaves YBNL forms own record label, YAGI". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. April 26, 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  9. 1 2 Temitope Delano (December 29, 2016). "Adekunle Gold, Chinko Ekun And Viktoh Exit YBNL". TooXclusive. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  10. ↑ Joan Omionawele (May 13, 2017). "Olamide confirms Adekunle Gold has left YBNL". The NET. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  11. ↑ Rotimi Agbana (January 28, 2017). "Ex YBNL singer, Xino apologises to Olamide, YBNL team". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  12. ↑ 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)
  13. ↑ "Rapper signs two new artists to YBNL". Pulse Nigeria. 2018-02-14. Retrieved 2020-02-22.
  14. ↑ "Olaitan Salaudeen: A journey in Nigerian music promotion | Pulse Nigeria". www.pulse.ng. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  15. ↑ "Fireboy DML - Agent, Manager, Publicist Contact Info". Booking Agent Info. Retrieved 2025-11-18.
  16. ↑ Banah, Namang (10 July 2015). "Sarkodie, Ameyaw Debrah, Yvonne Nelson, Juliet Ibrahim & others nominated". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
  17. ↑ Showemimo, Adedayo (26 July 2016). "Full List Of Winners at 2016 City People Entertainment Awards". The NET. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 28 July 2016.