 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | |
| Genre | Various |
| Founded | 2016 April 18; 8 years ago (18-04-2016) |
| Founder | David Adedeji Adeleke |
| Headquarters | , Nigeria |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people |
|
| Products | Music |
| Website | http://dmwhq.com |
Davido Music Worldwide (commonly known asDMW) is a Nigerian record label owned byAfrobeats singer and songwriterDavido. The label is home to singersMorravey Logos Olori, and Boi Chase; producersFresh VDM and Speroach Beatz are also signed to the label. 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, andMayorkun.
In 2020,Billboard Magazine named DMW as one of the gatekeepers of the Nigerian music industry.[1]
On 18 April 2016,Davido founded Davido Music Worldwide, following his exit from HKN Music with his music actsMayorkun, andDremo over an issue with his cousinB-Red, for hating on him over the success ofMayorkun.[2] On 29 September 2016, Ichaba signed a joint venture between Davido Music Worldwide, and APPE Music Entertainment.[3] On 5 November 2016,Davido signedLola Rae to DMW, as its first lady.[4] On 20 January 2017,Davido signed Yonda,[5] and also welcomedPeruzzi 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] featuringPeruzzi. On 26 October 2019,Davido signed Lil Frosh to DMW.[9] On 15 January 2020,Davido signed Ayanfe to DMW,[10] andDavido welcomedB-Red on 22 February 2020 to DMW.[11] On 18 July 2020,Davido signedMay 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 hearDavido 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 asDavido 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] On 29 March 2025,Davido signed Boi Chase.[18]
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".[19]
On 2 October 2020,Lola Rae, tweeted she was never signed to DMW, but she is forever grateful toDavido.[15]
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.[20]
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.[21][22] At the album launch ofBack In Office, Davido made it public as he gave a speech at the event.
On 19 July 2023, Liya replied to a fan on her Instagram comment section, confirming she was no longer with the label.[23]
DMW won Record Label of the Year at The Beatz Awards 2019,[24] andCity People Music Awards 2017/2018, and was nominated atCity 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
DJ Ecool
| 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) |
|