Elevated experiences celebrating the culture through dance and rhythm
Elevated experiences celebrating the culture through dance and rhythm
Nigerian rising star Rybeena is gearing up for what could be his biggest year yet. After the critical success of his 2025 project Mr Bee, the artist has officially confirmed a deluxe edition is on the way, while simultaneously locking in his future with Dapper Music & Entertainment through a freshly signed long-term deal.
The timing couldn’t be better for Rybeena, whose Mr Bee project earned serious recognition last year, landing at number 9 on Pulse Nigeria’s Best Projects of 2025 list. The album showcased his versatility through collaborations with Joeboy, Shoday, and the legendary Fuji icon King Dr. Saheed Osupa—a diverse roster that demonstrated his ability to bridge contemporary Afrobeats with traditional Nigerian sounds. On June 15, 2026, Rybeena made it official at Dapper Music & Entertainment’s Lagos headquarters, signing a renewed contract that extends a partnership that’s already proven mutually beneficial over the past two years. Since linking up with the music powerhouse, Rybeena has steadily built his reputation and expanded his reach across Nigeria’s fiercely competitive music scene.
Damilola “Dapper” Akinwunmi, Group CEO of Dapper Group, made it clear this isn’t just a routine renewal. “Rybeena has done in two years what takes most artists far longer, and this new deal is us putting real weight behind where he is headed,” he stated. “We are not in the business of managing names; we are in the business of building careers. With everything lined up to drop this year, the proof is about to speak for itself.” Rybeena echoed the sentiment with his own direct message: “People talk about what a label is when things get loud. For me it’s simple: Dapper backed me, built with me, and I’m staying to finish what we started. This year is proof. The ‘Mr Bee’ deluxe is just the opening.” The partnership extension comes as Dapper Group continues its impressive run in the Nigerian music industry, currently commanding roughly 8 percent of the country’s streaming market and generating over one billion streams annually across its roster.
With Mr Bee Deluxe set to drop and a strengthened partnership backing his moves, Rybeena is positioning himself for a breakthrough 2026. The deluxe project represents just the first move in what promises to be a busy year for the artist as he continues building on the momentum that’s made him one of Nigeria’s most promising young voices.
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