Davido Music Worldwide Explained

Davido Music Worldwide
Type:Private
Founder:David Adedeji Adeleke
Location City:Lekki, Lagos
Hq Location Country:Nigeria
Area Served:Worldwide
Products:Music
Genre:Various
Members:Morravey, SAYTHEYCALLMESG and Logos Olori
Website:http://dmwhq.com

Davido Music Worldwide (commonly known as DMW), is a Nigerian record label owned by Afrobeats singer Davido. The label is home to recording acts, such as Dremo, Yonda, Peruzzi, Idowest from Lagos Island, DJ Ecool, Danagog, B-Red, Deekay, May D, Deinde, Ayanfe, Liya, Morravey, SAYTHEYCALLMESG and Logos Olori. It also houses producers Fresh vdm and Speroach Beatz. Artists affiliated and formerly signed to the label, include Ichaba, Lola Rae, Lil Frosh, and Mayorkun.

In 2020, Billboard Magazine named DMW as one of The Gatekeepers of the Nigerian music industry.[1]

History

On 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

Ichaba

On 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

On 2 October 2020, Lola Rae, tweeted she was never signed to DMW, but she is forever grateful to Davido.

Lil Frosh and allegations of domestic violence

On 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

In 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

On 19 July 2023, Liya replied to a fan on her Instagram comment section, confirming she was no longer with the label.[22]

Accolades

DMW 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.

YearAwards ceremonyAward description(s)Results
2016City People Music AwardsRecord Label of the Year
2017
2018
2019The Beatz Awards

Roster

Current acts

ActYear
signed
Releases
under the
label
Davido20164
Yonda20171
Peruzzi3
Idowest20182
DJ Ecool1
Danagog1
B-Red20201
Deekay
Deinde
May D1
Ayanfe1
Morravey20231
LogosOlori
SAYTHEYCALLMESG20241

Former acts

ActYear
signed
Year
left
Releases
under the
label
Ichaba2016
Dremo20162022
Lola Rae2016
Lil Frosh20192020
Mayorkun201620212
Liya202020231

Producers

DJ's

DJ Ecool

Discography

Albums/Mixtape/EP

ArtistAlbumDetails
DavidoSon of Mercy (EP)
  • Released: 21 October 2016
  • Chart Position: 4
  • Certification: —
A Good Time
  • Released: 22 November 2019
  • Chart Position: 40
  • Certification: —
A Better Time
  • Released: 13 November 2020
  • Chart Position: 4
  • Certification: —
Timeless
  • Released: 31 March 2023
  • Chart Position:
  • Certification: —
MayorkunThe Mayor of Lagos
  • Released: 16 November 2018
  • Chart Position: 15
  • Certification: —
Geng (EP)
  • Released: 10 April 2020
  • Chart Position:
  • Certification: —
DremoCodename, Vol. 1
  • Released: 20 July 2018
  • Chart Position:
  • Certification: —
Icen B4 the Cake (EP)
  • Released: 26 August 2019
  • Chart Position:
  • Certification: —
Codename, Vol. 2
  • Released: 17 April 2020
  • Chart Position:
  • Certification: —
YondaWild Blue
  • Released: 11 December 2020
  • Chart Position:
  • Certification: —
PeruzziHeartwork
  • Released: 21 December 2018
  • Chart Position:
  • Certification: —
Huncho Vibez
  • Released: 8 November 2019
  • Chart Position:
  • Certification: —
Rum & Boogie
  • Released: 9 April 2021
  • Chart Position:
  • Certification: —
IdowestMafia Culture, Vol. 1
  • Released: 29 March 2019
  • Chart Position:
  • Certification: —
Mafia Culture, Vol 2
  • Released: 8 March 2021
  • Chart Position:
  • Certification: —
DJ EcoolNewSide (EP)
  • Released: 13 March 2020
  • Chart Position:
  • Certification: —
B-RedThe Jordan Album
  • Released: 8 October 2020
  • Chart Position:
  • Certification: —
LiyaAlari (EP)
  • Released: 20 August 2021
  • Chart Position:
  • Certification: —

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Cirisano . Tatiana . The Gatekeepers . Billboard . 17 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200603120847/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/9393637/the-gatekeepers . 3 June 2020 . 3 . English.
  2. Web site: Davido: End of HKN Music as pop star launches new label, fights with B-Red? - Buzz - Pulse.ng . 25 July 2021 . 2 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180602171745/http://www.pulse.ng/buzz/davido-end-of-hkn-music-as-pop-star-launches-new-label-fights-with-b-red-id4932061.html . 2018-06-02 .
  3. Web site: Davido Music Worldwide Unveils New Act Ichaba Listen to his New Song "Jisoro" featuring Mayorkun . BellaNaija . 25 July 2021 . 29 September 2016.
  4. Web site: Davido signs first female artist, Lola Rae . Premium Times Nigeria . 25 July 2021 . 5 November 2016.
  5. Web site: Davido has Signed a New Artiste Yonda to his "Davido Music Worldwide" Record Label . BellaNaija . 25 July 2021 . 20 January 2017.
  6. Web site: Davido signs new artist Peruzzi to DMW . BellaNaija . 25 July 2021 . 16 November 2017.
  7. Web site: Idowu . Tomi . Idowest Inks Davido Music Worldwide Contract . The Culture Custodian . 25 July 2021 . 24 May 2018.
  8. Web site: Listen: Deekay Collaborates With Davido And Peruzzi On Impressive New Single "Hangover" . The Guardian Nigeria News . 25 July 2021 . 27 September 2018.
  9. Web site: Davido signs Lil Frosh to DMW record . Premium Times Nigeria . 25 July 2021 . 26 October 2019.
  10. Web site: Davido Is Increasing The DMW Cartel As He Signs New Artiste, Ayanfe . NotjustOk . 25 July 2021 . 15 January 2020.
  11. Web site: Davido's cousin B-Red joins DMW . P.M. News . 25 July 2021 . 22 February 2020.
  12. Web site: Davido signs May D to his DMW record label . Vanguard News . 25 July 2021 . 18 July 2020.
  13. Web site: Davido signs new artist to DMW . P.M. News . 25 July 2021 . 27 September 2020.
  14. Web site: says . Latest news . Davido, DMW sign first female artiste, Liya . P.M. News . 25 July 2021 . 2 October 2020.
  15. Web site: Odozi . Amaka . 'I Was Never Signed To Davido's Record Label' – Lola Rae Lays Rumors To Rest (Photo) . Information Nigeria . 25 July 2021 . 2 October 2020.
  16. Web site: Davido's disc jockey narrates what actually happened at the Wireless Festival in London . Pulse Nigeria . 25 July 2021 . en . 1 August 2018.
  17. Web site: Adeayo Adebiyi . Davido signs two new artists to DMW . Pulse Nigeria . 30 March 2023 . March 29, 2023.
  18. Web site: 'I'm not signed to DMW'- Ichaba . CITY105.1FM . 25 July 2021 . 1 November 2019 . 25 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210725100146/https://www.city1051fm.com/2019/11/01/im-not-signed-to-dmw-ichaba/ . dead .
  19. Web site: Davido terminates contract with Lil Frosh over domestic violence allegations . Vanguard News . 25 July 2021 . 6 October 2020.
  20. Web site: Mayorkun drops first single in 2021 'Let me know' under Sony Music . Tribune Online . 4 December 2021 . 21 August 2021.
  21. Web site: Mayorkun drops "Back In Office" album under Sony Music - P.M. News . P.M. News . 4 December 2021.
  22. Web site: Eze . Chinelo . Liya Confirms Split With Davido's Record Label . The Guardian Nigeria News . 24 November 2023 . 19 July 2023.
  23. Web site: The Beatz Awards 2019: Don Jazzy to reward renamed award category 'Don Jazzy New Discovery Producer' with him . Pulse Nigeria . 28 July 2021 . en . 25 November 2019.