Davido Music Worldwide (commonly known as DMW), is a Nigerian record label owned by Afrobeats singer and songwriter Davido. The label is home to recording acts, such as Morravey, and Logos Olori. It also houses producers Fresh vdm and Speroach Beatz. Artists formerly signed to the label, include Ichaba, Lola Rae, Lil Frosh, Dremo, Yonda, Peruzzi, Idowest, DJ Ecool, Danagog, B-Red, Deekay, May D, Deinde, Ayanfe, Liya, and Mayorkun.
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | |
| Genre | Various |
| Founded | 2016 April 18 |
| Founder | David Adedeji Adeleke |
| Headquarters | , Nigeria |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people |
|
| Products | Music |
| Website | http://dmwhq.com |
In 2020, Billboard Magazine named DMW as one of The Gatekeepers of the Nigerian music industry.[1]
History
editOn 18 April 2016, Davido founded Davido Music Worldwide, following his exit from HKN Music with his music acts Mayorkun, and Dremo over an issue with his cousin B-Red, for hating on him over the success of Mayorkun.[2] On 29 September 2016, Ichaba signed a joint venture between Davido Music Worldwide, and APPE Music Entertainment.[3] On 5 November 2016, Davido signed Lola Rae to DMW, as its first lady.[4] On 20 January 2017, Davido signed Yonda,[5] and also welcomed Peruzzi on 16 November 2017 to DMW.[6] On 24 May 2018, Davido signed Idowest to DMW,[7] and Deekay was welcomed on 27 September 2018, with a single "Hangover"[8] featuring Peruzzi. On 26 October 2019, Davido signed Lil Frosh to DMW.[9] On 15 January 2020, Davido signed Ayanfe to DMW,[10] and Davido welcomed B-Red on 22 February 2020 to DMW.[11] On 18 July 2020, Davido signed May D to DMW.[12] On 27 September 2020, Deinde joined DMW artist roaster, following his deal with DMW.[13] On 2 October 2020, Davido signed Liya, his first female artist to DMW.[14] Same day, Lola Rae, tweeted "Excited to hear Davido is signing a new female artist!!! This is amazing amazing news! I was never signed to Davido; he was just incredibly kind enough to help push & promote an upcoming artist aka myself! God bless him forever for that so grateful".[15]
In 2018, DJ Ecool, who also serves as Davido official disc jockey, became a member of DMW.[16] In March 2023, Davido announced the signings of Logos Olori and Morravey to DMW, and made a change to the label's logo.[17]
In 2024, Nigerian Street musician, rapper and Afrobeats singer Idowu Emmanuel Ayoola popularly known as SAYTHEYCALLMESG or SGof30BG, who serves as Davido Music Worldwide handler, became a member of DMW but it is still unannounced by the record label boss Davido
Departures
editIchaba
editOn 1 November 2019, he uncovered his record deal with DMW, according to him on Catch Up, he tells City 105.1 FM, "I was about to get signed to them at some point but, there were some little distractions on my end. Presently it just like I’m signed because I get all the perks of a signed artist. I don’t have plans to get signed to another record label".[18]
Lola Rae
editOn 2 October 2020, Lola Rae, tweeted she was never signed to DMW, but she is forever grateful to Davido.[15]
Lil Frosh and allegations of domestic violence
editOn 6 October 2020, Davido terminated Lil Frosh contract with DMW, over an allegations of domestic violence by his girlfriend Gift Camille, which went viral on Monday, 5 October.[19]
Mayorkun
editIn 2021, Mayorkun announced his exit from DMW with the release of his single "Let Me Know" off his second album "Back In Office", released through Sony Music West Africa.[20][21] At the album launch of Back In Office, Davido made it public as he gave a speech at the event.
Liya
editOn 19 July 2023, Liya replied to a fan on her Instagram comment section, confirming she was no longer with the label.[22]
Accolades
editDMW won Record Label of the Year at The Beatz Awards 2019,[23] and City People Music Awards 2017/2018, and was nominated at City People Music Awards 2016.
| Year | Awards ceremony | Award description(s) | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | City People Music Awards | Record Label of the Year | Nominated |
| 2017 | Won | ||
| 2018 | Won | ||
| 2019 | The Beatz Awards | Won |
Roster
editCurrent acts
edit| Act | Year signed |
Releases under the label |
|---|---|---|
| Davido | 2016 | 4 |
| Yonda | 2017 | 1 |
| Peruzzi | 3 | |
| Idowest | 2018 | 2 |
| DJ Ecool | 1 | |
| Danagog | 1 | |
| B-Red | 2020 | 1 |
| Deekay | — | |
| Deinde | — | |
| May D | 1 | |
| Ayanfe | 1 | |
| Morravey | 2023 | 1 |
| Logos Olori | — | |
| SAYTHEYCALLMESG | 2024 | 1 |
Former acts
edit| Act | Year signed |
Year left |
Releases under the label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ichaba | 2016 | — | |
| Dremo | 2016 | 2022 | |
| Lola Rae | 2016 | — | |
| Lil Frosh | 2019 | 2020 | — |
| Mayorkun | 2016 | 2021 | 2 |
| Liya | 2020 | 2023 | 1 |
Producers
edit- Speroach Beatz
- Napji
- Magicboi
- Fresh VDM
DJ's
editDJ Ecool
Discography
editAlbums/Mixtape/EP
edit| Artist | Album | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Davido | Son of Mercy (EP) |
|
| A Good Time |
| |
| A Better Time |
| |
| Timeless |
| |
| Mayorkun | The Mayor of Lagos |
|
| Geng (EP) |
| |
| Dremo | Codename, Vol. 1 |
|
| Icen B4 the Cake (EP) |
| |
| Codename, Vol. 2 |
| |
| Yonda | Wild Blue |
|
| Peruzzi | Heartwork |
|
| Huncho Vibez |
| |
| Rum & Boogie |
| |
| Idowest | Mafia Culture, Vol. 1 |
|
| Mafia Culture, Vol 2 |
| |
| DJ Ecool | NewSide (EP) |
|
| B-Red | The Jordan Album |
|
| Liya | Alari (EP) |
|
References
edit- ^ Cirisano, Tatiana. "The Gatekeepers". Billboard. p. 3. Archived from the original on 3 June 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
- ^ "Davido: End of HKN Music as pop star launches new label, fights with B-Red? - Buzz - Pulse.ng". 2 June 2018. Archived from the original on 2 June 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
- ^ "Davido Music Worldwide Unveils New Act Ichaba | Listen to his New Song "Jisoro" featuring Mayorkun". BellaNaija. 29 September 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
- ^ "Davido signs first female artist, Lola Rae". Premium Times Nigeria. 5 November 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
- ^ "Davido has Signed a New Artiste Yonda to his "Davido Music Worldwide" Record Label". BellaNaija. 20 January 2017. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
- ^ "Davido signs new artist Peruzzi to DMW". BellaNaija. 16 November 2017. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
- ^ Idowu, Tomi (24 May 2018). "Idowest Inks Davido Music Worldwide Contract". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Retrieved 25 July 2021.
- ^ "Listen: Deekay Collaborates With Davido And Peruzzi On Impressive New Single "Hangover"". The Guardian Nigeria News. 27 September 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
- ^ "Davido signs Lil Frosh to DMW record". Premium Times Nigeria. 26 October 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
- ^ "Davido Is Increasing The DMW Cartel As He Signs New Artiste, Ayanfe". NotjustOk. 15 January 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
- ^ "Davido's cousin B-Red joins DMW". P.M. News. 22 February 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
- ^ "Davido signs May D to his DMW record label". Vanguard News. 18 July 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
- ^ "Davido signs new artist to DMW". P.M. News. 27 September 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
- ^ says, Latest news (2 October 2020). "Davido, DMW sign first female artiste, Liya". P.M. News. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
- ^ a b Odozi, Amaka (2 October 2020). "'I Was Never Signed To Davido's Record Label' – Lola Rae Lays Rumors To Rest (Photo)". Information Nigeria. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
- ^ "Davido's disc jockey narrates what actually happened at the Wireless Festival in London". Pulse Nigeria. 1 August 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
- ^ Adeayo Adebiyi (29 March 2023). "Davido signs two new artists to DMW". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
- ^ "'I'm not signed to DMW'- Ichaba". CITY105.1FM. 1 November 2019. Archived from the original on 25 July 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
- ^ "Davido terminates contract with Lil Frosh over domestic violence allegations". Vanguard News. 6 October 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
- ^ "Mayorkun drops first single in 2021 'Let me know' under Sony Music". Tribune Online. 21 August 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
- ^ "Mayorkun drops "Back In Office" album under Sony Music - P.M. News". P.M. News. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
- ^ Eze, Chinelo (19 July 2023). "Liya Confirms Split With Davido's Record Label". The Guardian Nigeria News. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
- ^ "The Beatz Awards 2019: Don Jazzy to reward renamed award category 'Don Jazzy New Discovery Producer' with him". Pulse Nigeria. 25 November 2019. Retrieved 28 July 2021.