Rough Bones

Rough Bones Records is a record company based in London, United Kingdom, with an office in the process of being opened in Lagos, Nigeria.

Its head executives include Business Lead Henrik Hansen and Creative Lead Stella Reid. Founded in 2018, Rough Bones specializes in the Afrobeat and rap genre, explaining their increased attention to West Africa and Afrobeat-focused creators.

The record label is noted to be expanding into the Afrobeat genre as a priority, with the foundation of a new office in Lagos, Nigeria beginning in early 2025.

Artists such as Kehli, 49th & Main and Aleesia have signed with the label to date, releasing music either exclusively under Rough Bones or in coordination with other labels.

In terms of recognition, Rough Bones has received praise and recognition from established industry institutions, notably from the Association of Independent Music (AIM) in their 2023 AIM Awards.

History and Afro Impact Initiative

Incorporated on June 21, 2018, Rough Bones LTD. is addressed to Elsley Court 20-22 Great Titchfield Street, London. It is headquartered in London, and the "Afro Impact" initiative announced by the label in 2025 serves to open a new office in West Africa, specifically Lagos, Nigeria.

Henrik Hansen, business lead at Rough Bones, noted that advanced technologies and data research will be utilized in the search for new talent to add to the label's roster and attempting to expand the Afrobeat genre. Stella Reid, creative lead at Rough Bones, plans for strategic partnerships with distributors, publishers, and marketers in the label's future mission.

Roster and releases

  • Kehli - 5 releases in conjunction with Rough Bones
    • "Not Ok"
    • "All Outta Love"
    • "Believe It" ft. Kid Eternal - released in tandem with Kobalt Music Group
    • "Dead Body" - released via Ingrooves
    • "Ur So Cool" ft. Louis III - released via CD Baby
  • 49th & Main
  • Starling
  • Ojo (or OjoTheKidd)
  • Kid Eternal
  • Shosh
  • Redundo
  • Shaun Dean
  • BuzzLow
  • Aleesia
    • Featured in "Gold Skies", produced by DJ Martin Garrix, DJ Sander van Doorn, and duo Dvbbs

Notable Staff

  • Business Lead - Henrik Hansen
  • Creative Lead - Stella Reid

Lagos-based executives

  • Jeffrey Onuoha - Senior A&R in Afrobeat and Afro-fusion
  • Daisy Ogunlana - Operations manager
  • Eskor Umo - Digital strategy
  • Samuel Mark - A&R scout in Afrobeat and Afro-fusion

Awards

Rough Bones was nominated for and presented with the "Best Boutique Label" award at the 2023 AIM Awards, held at the Roundhouse in London. Other record labels nominated in the "Best Boutique Label" category included Chess Club, Glasgow Underground, Houndstooth and So Young Records.