Why Record Label Don't Sign Me in Nigeria [7 Brutal Truth]

You drop good songs, but no label calls. You scroll your phone at night and ask yourself, “why record label dont sign me”, even though you know you have talent. It feels confusing and unfair.

The hard truth is that talent is only one part of the story. Nigerian record labels now look at your brand, your numbers, your mindset, and how you move as a person.

This guide breaks down why labels keep saying no, how the Nigerian music industry works in 2025, and what you should start doing instead of just waiting for a miracle.

Why Nigerian record labels are careful before signing new artists

Today, Nigerian music is big business. A recent report valued the Nigerian music industry at about ₦901 billion, which shows how serious the game is for investors and labels alike (source).

Record labels do not sign artists to help “upcoming acts”. They sign artists to make profit, just like any other business. They spend on recording, videos, branding, and staff, so every artist is a money decision.

Streaming and social media changed how they think. Labels now check your numbers on platforms, your content, and how your name moves on the street before they risk money. Global reports show that recorded music in Sub‑Saharan Africa grew by over 20 percent in recent years, which makes labels even more careful about where they invest (IFPI Global Music Report 2025).

Many are also searching for fresh talent, as seen in guides that list top 3 Nigerian record labels looking for talent. But they want artists who already act like partners, not projects.

Record labels see artists as long term business investments

When a label signs you, they pay for studio time, videos, wardrobe, music producers, PR, and promotion. That can run into millions of naira before any profit comes back.

So the label asks simple questions: “Can this artist grow a real fan base?”, “Will people stream and come for shows?”, “Can we recover money in 3 to 5 years?”

Talent alone is not enough if there is no plan. Many labels have lost money on artists who dropped one hot song, then stopped posting, missed shows, or refused to record. The label pays, the artist fades, and everyone loses.

Contract drama and reputation issues scare labels

You have seen how often artists and labels fight online. Every year, more stories come out about control issues, unpaid money, and bitter breakups in Nigeria, as reports on fallouts between artists and record labels show.

Because of this, labels now look for artists who understand contracts, delayed payments, and shared control. They want people who can read terms, ask questions calmly, and respect process.

If your image online shows you insult past managers, drag people on social media, or always shout that “all labels are scammers”, many labels will quietly move on.

Common reasons record labels don't sign you in Nigeria

Now to the part that hurts and helps at the same time. Here is why you keep asking “why labels dont sign me in Nigeria”, even with talent on your side.

You rely only on talent and neglect your brand

You can sing or rap, but your brand looks scattered. Labels do not only sign a voice, they sign a full picture.

They check your image, style, and how clear your identity is. Your social media might be full of random memes, low‑quality photos, and cover arts that look rushed. That makes it hard to “sell” you.

Start grooming your online presence. Use neat profile photos, sharp cover designs, and one simple style that feels like you. When your brand looks clear and clean, labels can picture you on billboards and playlists.

You have no active fan base or real engagement online

In 2025, labels want proof that people already care about you. Even a small, active fan base is better than big fake numbers.

If your streams are low, comments are dead, or your followers look bought, labels see a red flag. They think, “If people do not care when the artist is small, why should we risk big money?”

You can fix this by posting often, replying to real fans, and doing small shows in your area. A detailed guide on why Nigerian artists go unnoticed and solutions can help you grow that first set of loyal supporters.

Your songs and sound are not yet ready for the market

Sometimes the problem is not you, it is the music quality. Bad mixing, weak hooks, and copy‑and‑paste lyrics make your songs hard to push.

If your sound cannot sit beside top Afrobeats songs on radio or playlists, labels will not risk it. They want a clear, unique style, not a low‑budget version of a big star.

Work with better producers when you can, learn about song structure, and ask for honest feedback. Drop demos to a small circle, adjust, then share the stronger versions with labels.

You do not look professional to work with

Many artists lose deals before they even start talking numbers. The reason is simple: zero professionalism.

You send DMs like “Baba abeg sign me”, with no links or clean files. You have no email address on your bio. When someone writes you, you reply late or with rude words.

Labels watch all this. They want artists who behave like serious workers, not people who will be hard to manage. Create a simple EPK, short bio, and use email to send links with clear subject lines. Act like a pro, even as an upcoming act.

You do not understand contracts, money, and the music business

A record deal is a business partnership. The label often owns or controls your masters for some years, takes a share of income, and recoups their costs before you see big money.

If you do not know what masters, splits, royalties, and publishing mean, you will fear every offer. When an artist keeps shouting “labels are thieves” but never reads or asks a lawyer to explain the contract, labels get scared.

Learn the basics of music business. Watch free YouTube classes, read blogs, or join local workshops. When a label sees that you understand money talk, they trust you more.

Your reputation offline and online worries the label

Labels also check who you are in real life. Constant fights, public disrespect of other artists, or serious drug and violence rumors can kill a deal fast.

In Nigeria, brands and sponsors bring big money. Labels know that a messy artist can scare away deals with banks or telecoms.

Clean up your image. Remove very toxic posts, stop public beef that does not help your growth, and watch who you move with. Think long term, not just today’s viral moment.

What to do when record labels do not sign you in Nigeria

Rejection hurts, but it can be a blessing if you use it as fuel. You can still build a strong career while you wait for a fair deal.

Build your own movement first with consistency

Before any label cares, your job is to show that you can move people on your own. Drop songs often, even if they are simple singles.

Use TikTok and Instagram Reels, post studio clips, freestyles, and live performance videos. Perform at open mics, campus shows, and local events. Build small WhatsApp or Telegram groups where fans get early drops.

As your numbers grow, labels start to chase you, not the other way around. For more structure, you can study an easy path to a record label for Nigerian musicians and apply the parts that fit your level.

Invest in learning, network, and mentorship

Talent plus knowledge is a strong mix. Learn about songwriting, basic production, and music marketing. There are many free and cheap courses online that explain how the business works.

Network with DJs, producers, bloggers, playlist curators, and other artists. Some of them can add your songs to mixes, shows, and playlists that change your life.

Good relationships often do more than random DMs to label pages that nobody reads.

Treat yourself like an independent label until a deal makes sense

Start thinking like a label boss for your own career. Plan your release calendar, save money for promotion, and track your streaming data.

Test different sounds and see what your fans love. When you grow like this, the question starts to change from “why record label dont sign me” to “is this deal even good for me right now?”

At that point, you have power and options, not just hope.

Conclusion

The Nigerian music industry is now a big, serious business, and that is why many artists feel locked out. Labels say no for many reasons, from weak branding and poor songs to bad attitude and lack of business sense, not only because of low talent.

If you work on your brand, build a real fan base, and learn the money side, you will look more ready in the eyes of any label. You may even grow so strong as an independent act that you can turn offers down.

Next time you hear that voice asking “why record label dont sign me”, let it push you to fix your brand, not complain. Share this post with another upcoming artist and drop a comment about where you are in your journey.

FAQ: Why record labels dont sign artists in Nigeria

Why record labels dont sign me in Nigeria even though my music is good?
Most times it is not just about the song. Labels look at your numbers, brand, behavior, and business knowledge. If any of these is weak, they move on.

How can I get a Nigerian record label to notice me without connections?
Show proof of movement. Drop quality music, stay consistent on social media, grow a small loyal fan base, and act professional. When your buzz grows, labels will find you.