Why I refused to sign for any record label - Niniola

Nigerian singer Niniola recently shared her reasons for remaining an independent artist for the past decade, emphasizing the importance of creative freedom.

In an interview with TVC, she disclosed that she turned down offers from record labels early in her career to maintain control over her music style. Reflecting on the decision, she explained: 

"I have been an independent artist for 10 years. There are pros and cons of signing with a record label. I have seen the business side of doing music, which a lot of people don’t see; they just focus on making music."

Niniola highlighted that being independent allows her to dictate her creative direction without external interference. She noted that record labels often influence artists' styles and decisions, stating, "A label wanted to sign me after my debut single, but I was skeptical because I didn’t want anyone to switch my style. At that time, nobody was doing Afro-house, and labels could dictate what you do because they finance you."

For Niniola, the freedom to innovate and stay true to her Afro-house roots has been a defining advantage of her independence, allowing her to shape her career on her own terms.