Olamide is a Nigerian hip-hop artist whose social platforms in Africa have attracted a massive fan base. His music combines Afro-pop, dancehall, hip-hop, as well as other styles, and he primarily sings and raps in Yoruba and English. Olamide is the founder and CEO of the record label YBNL Nation. In addition to other investments and assets, he has signed several major endorsement deals with brands, making him one of the richest musicians in the country.
After achieving national success with Baddest Guy Ever Liveth (2013) and Eyan Mayweather (2015), he subsequently began releasing music in the United States via Empire Distribution. His first widely distributed album was Carpe Diem, released in 2020. In the year 1989, Olamide Adedeji was born in Bariga, Lagos State. In 2000, he decided to become a musician, and a decade later, he began his career by signing with Coded Tunes and releasing the single “Eni Duro” in 2010.
In 2010, Olamide performed the hit song at the Hip Hop World Awards (later renamed the Headies). In 2011, he released his debut album, Rapsodi, which featured guest appearances from Wizkid, Pheelz, 9ice, as well as other Nigerian stars. In 2012, Olamide left Coded Tunes and established his own brand, YBNL Nation. His second album, also titled YBNL (short for Yahoo Boy No Laptop), was the label’s first release, and it was another success, taking home top prizes at both the Headies and the Nigeria Entertainment Awards.
Baddest Guy Ever Liveth (2013) repeated this accomplishment, in addition to containing the award-winning single “Durosoke,” which was a major hit. Late in 2014, Street OT was released, earning Olamide another Album of the Year award from the Headies. In 2015, Olamide released 2 Kings, a collaborative effort with Phyno, as well as Eyan Mayweather, his fifth solo album and another Album of the Year winner at the NEAs.
The sixth album The Glory was released in 2016, followed by Lagos Nawa a year later. Throughout the rest of the decade, many non-album singles and freestyles were released. Carpe Diem, which was released by Empire Distribution in 2020, was Olamide’s first major American release during the following decade. A year later, he released UY Scuti, another full-length.
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Olamide Early Life And Musical Career
Olamide, a popular Nigerian singer, is one of several rising stars. The “Baddo” master certainly knows how to keep his fans happy by providing enjoyable music. Olamide Gbenga Adedeji was born on 15 March 1989 in Bariga, Lagos State. He is the second of Pa Adedeji and his second wife, Ronke Osisanya Adedeji’s three children. TemmyGold and Eniola Olamilekan are Olamide’s two siblings.
A notable aspect of Olamide’s music is the fast-paced rap with a combination of traditional raps. Olamide’s music effectively conveys to listeners a profound cultural aspect of Nigerian culture. The music focuses on his origins and upbringing, making it easy for many individuals to reflect on it. The young man’s music is appreciated by members of the high-life society, as well as professionals, students, market traders, and ordinary Nigerians with great intent. Olamide is a man with many attributes. According to many, he is indeed a classic street-savvy artist.
Olamide Baddo’s net worth has increased in recent years as a result of his numerous endorsement deals. Olamide began his career in 2010 when he released his debut single, “Eni Duro.” He performed at The Hip Hop World Awards in the same year. He dropped out of Tai Solarin University’s mass communication program due to financial difficulties. He was signed to the Coded Tunes record label owned by ID Cabasa and managed by Toni Payne. In 2012, he left Coded Tunes and founded YBNL Nation, his own record label.
2011: Rapsodi
Rapsodi was Olamide’s first studio album, and it was released in 2011. Its lead single, titled “Omo To Shan,” charted on a number of radio stations in Lagos and throughout Nigeria. The release of Olamide’s debut album paved the way for collaborations with a wide variety of artists, including Wizkid, ID Cabasa, 9ice, Reminisce, and D’banj.
2012: YBNL
The second studio album released by Olamide, titled YBNL, was released in November of 2012. The production of it was overseen by Tyrone (the producer), Samklef, 2 Kriss, Pheelz, and ID Cabasa respectively. Davido, Tiwa Savage, Kayswitch, Dammy Krane, Reminisce, Samklef, Buckwylla, and Minus 2 and Base One are among the artists who have contributed to the album as guests. Singles such as “I Lefo Illuminati,” “First of All,” “Stupid Love,” and “Voice of the Street” served as promotional efforts for the album.
2013: Baddest Guy Ever Liveth
Baddest Guy Ever Liveth is the third studio album by Olamide. It was released by YBNL Nation on November 7, 2013. Olamide recorded the album between 2012 and 2013 and enlisted guest artists including Pheelz, Buckwyla, Ketchup, Ice Prince, Pepenazi, Endia, Viktoh, B.Banks, Phyno, Pele Pele, and Bez. The album was entirely produced by Pheelz, with the exception of “Sitting on the Throne,” the thirteenth track.
Four singles supported Baddest Guy Ever Liveth: “Durosoke,” “Turn Up,” “Yemi My Lover,” and “Eleda Mi O.” The newspaper, Premium Times included the album on a list of the five yet to be released Nigerian albums of 2013. It ranked 12th on Afrikka Radio’s 2013 list of the top 12 Nigerian albums. Baddest Guy Ever Liveth won the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Award for Best Album of the Year and was nominated for 2014 City People Entertainment Award for Rap Album of the Year.
It was awarded Best Rap Album as well as Album of the Year at the 2014 Headies. Olamide was reported to have signed a record deal with DB Records in May 2013. Olamide utilized Twitter to invalidate the rumors. Toolz stated in an interview on NdaniTV’s The Juice that it was “too late” for anyone to sign him.
2014: Street OT
Olamide released his fourth studio album, Street OT, on 14 November 2014 through YBNL Nation. The album is a sequel to his 2013 album Baddest Guy Ever Liveth. Street OT features guest appearances by Pasuma, Lil Kesh, Chinko Ekun, Phyno, Don Jazzy, as well as Reminisce. It is preceded by the singles “Story for the Gods” and “Goons Mi.” The album was produced by Pheelz, B-Banks, and Young John. Olamide is equated with the term “streets,” which the album’s title seeks to glorify and demonstrate through his affection.
2015: 2 Kings and Eyan Mayweather
Olamide and Phyno released 2 Kings in 2015 in a collaborative effort. On April 1, 2015, Penthauze Music and YBNL Nation released it through Cloud 9 and the iTunes Store with little publicity. This album features collaborations with Wizkid, Lil Kesh, Storm Rex, Pheelz, Major Bangz, B.Banks, and Young John, among others. Prior to recording the album, Olamide and Phyno collaborated frequently on a number of songs, including “Ghost Mode” and “Dope Money.”
In the months preceding the album’s release, the singles “Une” and “Confam Ni” were released. On November 23, 2015, Olamide’s fifth studio album, Eyan Mayweather, was released. Eyan Mayweather is the follow-up to 2 Kings, a collaborative album by Olamide and Phyno. It was released by YBNL Nation with studio production by Pheelz, Young John, B Banks, and I.D. Cabasa. The album featured 21 tracks without a single feature.
2016: The Glory
The Glory, the sixth studio album by Olamide, was released on December 23, 2016. Produced in the studio by Pheelz and released by YBNL Nation. The album contains sixteen consecutive tracks featuring artists such as Phyno, Wande Coal, Burna Boy, Akuchi, and Davolee. The Glory is the follow up to Eyan Mayweather.
2020: 999 EP, joint venture deal with Empire and Carpe Diem
On February 10, 2020, Olamide released an unexpected EP titled 999. It contains nine songs, and Pheelz was primarily responsible for its production. It features guest appearances by Phyno, Olamide’s son Maximilliano, and others. Olamide announced to the public on February 18, 2020, that his record label, YBNL Nation, has signed a Joint Venture agreement with Empire, an international distribution company. He added that Fireboy DML and any new artists signed to YBNL Nation will also benefit from the deal.
Carpe Diem, the eleventh studio album by Olamide, was released on October 8, 2020. Carpe Diem includes 12 tracks and features Omah Lay, Fireboy DML, Peruzzi, Bad Boy Timz, Bella Shmurda, and Phyno. Young John, Pheelz, P. Prime, ID Cabasa, and VStix are credited with the production. According to the Olamide Music Chart on Twitter, the album surpassed 500 Million streams on June 1, 2021.
2021: UY Scuti
Olamide revealed on 16 March 2021 that he had completed work on a new album. He announced the album UY Scuti on April 18; it was released on June 18. Olamide stated that his son was the inspiration behind the album’s title, UY Scuti. Olamide hinted at retirement on 5 February 2022, following the release of his 12th studio album.
Underlining Olamide’s Rap Brilliance
Voice Of The Street
Produced by Tyrone, Voice of the Street (VOC) embodies all the characteristics of a rap song: boastful lyrics, skillful delivery, and an energetic beat. Olamide sampled Era’s Ameno (1996) in VOC, a track from his Y.B.N.L (2012) album, before Goya Menor and Nektunez sampled Era’s Ameno (1996) for their viral song of the same name. Olamide’s rapped verses light up in the chorus-less song.
In the song, a single stream of consciousness transports him from self-adulation (“Emi ni boss / emi ni baddo / yeah, emi ni king”) to his connection to the streets (“Ni gboro wo n soro mi”) to his faith in God (“I only look up to God, baba God bonjour”). Eventually, the song winds down and the instruments are cleared. In this sonic void, Olamide’s voice is the only unique creation: for the next thirty seconds or so, it resounds as a fluid instrument revealing insightful secrets about his musical ambitions.
Eyan Mayweather
This track from his self-titled 2015 album briefly samples BYU Vocal Point’s Nearer, my God to thee (2008). While Olamide rears its head in Voice Of The Street, in Eyan Mayweather he wields a measured, controlled authority. That does not mean he deals softer blows to haters and rivals for the rap throne, however. The rapper engages in a great deal of brashness, but it is important to remember that violence is not how he distinguishes himself. There has always been music. And at the very end of the song, after the instruments have been removed, he issues a challenge to rivals.
Sons Of Anarchy
Olamide and Phyno are likely Nigeria’s most formidable rap duo. Their frequent collaboration has resulted in a collaborative EP and numerous singles. Additionally, the two artists consistently appear on each of their albums. When the two men work collaboratively on a project, the outcome is typically enjoyable to hear. Ghost Mode and Nobody’s Fault are two excellent examples.
Sons Of Anarchy, unlike the two previously discussed songs, begins with a destructive bang, as its title suggests. “I can only count on one or two niggas/ And one definitely gotta be my man from Bariga,” Phyno raps, referencing his long-standing friendship with Olamide. Burna Boy, the featured artist, provides a charming chorus.
Anifowose
Anifowose does provide a lovely change of pace without sacrificing the exuberance that characterizes Olamide in this selection. Once again, he is inventive with samples, incorporating KWAM 1’s meanderings on hard work and shifting fortunes into a chorus around which he relates what is likely the most reflective account of his upbringing.
The street, which is typically portrayed in his and other artists’ work as a setting for shrewdness and togetherness, is viewed with despair in this song. For the ultimate tale of rags-to-riches, Olamide begins with tales of his difficult childhood and parents who must sacrifice everything, after which quickly zooms to his existing affluence, at which he returns the favor for his family, but this time out of plenty rather than destitution.
Being more used to the heights of kingship, he is somewhat unfamiliar with the material he must work with this time around, but this has no effect on his delivery whatsoever. Olamide concludes this single by apologizing to King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal for not first obtaining permission to sample his music. Thankfully, the legend is forgiving, admitting that Olamide’s rendition of his iconic song was too good to criticize.
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Olamide Awards
Olamide has won several music awards and received numerous nominations, to name a few:
Nigeria Entertainment Awards
Best Collabo (Ghost Mode by Phyno featuring Olamide)
Best Indigenous Artiste
Best Album of the Year
Best Rap Act of the Year
Music Video of the Year
In Review
Olamide, better known by his stage name Badoo, is a renowned indigenous rapper who is regarded as one of the pioneers of indigenous rapping in Nigeria, second only to Da Grin. It was his ability to perform native Yoruba rapping that captivated the Nigerian audience. Olamide Badoo actually holds one of the most successful record labels in Nigeria, that has produced notable artists such as Adekunle Gold, Lil Kesh, and FireBoy DML, among others.
Numerous renowned musicians, including D’Banj, Wizkid, ID Cabasa, Reminisce, and 9ice, sought to collaborate with the young and talented musician. Anyone who listens to Olamide music is exposed to a profound cultural aspect of Nigerian culture. The music focuses on his context and upbringing, allowing many listeners to easily reflect on it. His music is enjoyed by many Nigerians of various backgrounds. Olamide has earned his place as one of Nigeria’s most recognizable celebrities.
