Chocolate City Entertainment: Nigeria’s Music OG—Still Kicking or Fading Out?

Two Decades In: Can Chocolate City Keep The Beat?

Chocolate City Entertainment: Nigeria’s Music OG—Still Kicking or Fading Out?
(Two Decades In: Can Chocolate City Keep The Beat?)

Hey L.U.M.I. fam—after we broke down Mavin’s rise, you knew this was coming. Time to check in on one of Nigeria’s foundational labels: Chocolate City Entertainment.

Two decades deep. A catalog that helped script the Afrobeats come-up. Warner Music in their corner. But in this business, legacy doesn’t keep the lights on. The question now is: are they still shaping the game—or just surviving it?

From Kaduna Clubs to Lagos Power Moves

Chocolate City kicked off in 2005, founded by Audu Maikori, Yahaya Maikori, and Paul Okeugo—lawyers and operators who saw early what African music could become. They started in Kaduna, shifted to Lagos, and built a roster that punched way above its weight: M.I Abaga, Ice Prince, Brymo; and later CKay and Blaqbonez.

Today, with Abuchi Ugwu as CEO and Hakeem Bello-Osagie as Chairman, they’re part of a wider group that spans music, events…