Olamide
Olamide performing at the first edition of his OLIC concert
Olamide performing at the first edition of his OLIC concert
Background information
Birth nameOlamide Gbenga Adedeji
Also known as
  • Olamide Baddo
  • BaddoSneh
  • Baddo
Born (1989-03-15) 15 March 1989 (age 34)
Bariga, Lagos State, Nigeria
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • record executive
Years active2010–present
Labels
YouTube information
ChannelsOlamide
Subscribers1.13 Million
Total views439.3 Million
Last updated: 21 Dec 2023

Olamide Gbenga Adedeji (born 15 March 1989) is a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter, and record executive.[1] One of the most influential artists in Africa, he has been pivotal to the creative and commercial success of several Afrobeats music stars, and is consistently praised for his role in elevating Street Pop to mainstream recognition as a distinct music genre.[2][3][4][5][6] He records in Yoruba and English. In 2011, he released his debut studio album Rapsodi while signed to Coded Tunes. YBNL, his follow-up album, was released under his label imprint "Yahoo Boy No Laptop," aka YBNL Nation. The album was supported by the singles "First of All," "Voice of the Street," "Stupid Love," and "Ilefo Illuminati." On 7 November 2013, he released his third studio album Baddest Guy Ever Liveth. The album's singles include "Durosoke" and "Yemi My Lover." On 17 July 2013, Olamide became the first Nigerian to sign an endorsement deal with Cîroc.[7]

In November 2023, Olamide received his first nomination at the 66th Annual Grammy Award for the song "Amapiano" alongside his signee Asake, becoming the first Nigerian hip hop act in history to achieve this feat.[8]

Early life and musical beginnings

Olamide Gbenga Adedeji was born in Bariga, Lagos State,[9][10] on 15 March 1989. He is the second of Pa Adedeji's three children with Ronke Osisanya Adedeji, his second wife. TemmyGold and Eniola Olamilekan (also known as DJ Enimoney) are Olamide's two siblings.[11]

Olamide started his career when he released the debut single, "Eni Duro," in 2010. In the same year, he performed at The Hip Hop World Awards.[1] He studied mass communication at Tai Solarin University but dropped out due to financial problems.[12]

Adedeji is married to Adebukunmi Aisha Suleiman. They have two boys together, Batifeori Maximilliano Adedeji and Tunrepin Myles Adedeji.[13] Olamide allegedly had a love child with Maria Okanrende, who at the time worked at The Beat 99.9 FM[14]

Music career

He was signed to ID Cabasa's Coded Tunes record label and was managed by Toni Payne.[1] In 2012, he left Coded Tunes and started his record label YBNL Nation.[15]

2011: Rapsodi

Olamide's debut album, Rapsodi was released in 2011. Its lead single, "Omo To Shan", charted on several radio stations in Lagos and across Nigeria. Olamide's debut offering led to collaborations with numerous artists, including Wizkid, ID Cabasa, 9ice, Reminisce and D'banj.[16]

2012: YBNL

Adedeji's second studio album YBNL was released in November 2012. Its production was handled by Tyrone, Samklef, 2 Kriss, Pheelz, and ID Cabasa. The album features guest appearances from Davido, Tiwa Savage, Kayswitch, Dammy Krane, Reminisce, Samklef, Buckwylla, Minus 2 and Base One. It was supported by the singles "Ilefo Illuminati", "First of All", "Stupid Love" and "Voice of the Street".[17]

2013: Baddest Guy Ever Liveth

Baddest Guy Ever Liveth is Olamide's third studio album. It was released on 7 November 2013 by YBNL Nation,[18] he recorded the album between 2012 and 2013 and enlisted Pheelz, Buckwyla, Ketchup, Ice Prince, Pepenazi, Endia, Viktoh, B.Banks, Phyno, Pele Pele and Bez to appear as guest artists on it. The album was produced entirely by Pheelz, except for the thirteenth track, "Sitting on the Throne."[19][20]

Baddest Guy Ever Liveth was supported by four singles: "Durosoke," "Turn Up," "Yemi My Lover" and "Eleda Mi O." Premium Times newspaper included the album on its list of the five yet to be released Nigerian albums of 2013.[21] It was ranked 12th on Afrikka Radio's list of the top 12 best Nigerian albums of 2013.[22] Baddest Guy Ever Liveth won Best Album of the Year at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards, and was nominated for Rap Album of the Year at the 2014 City People Entertainment Awards.[23][24] It won Best Rap Album and Album of the Year at The Headies 2014.[25]

In May 2013, it was reported that Olamide had signed a record deal with DB Records. Olamide took to Twitter to debunk the reports.[26] In an interview with Toolz on NdaniTV's The Juice, he said that it was "too late" for anyone to sign him.[27]

2014: Street OT

On 14 November 2014, Olamide released his fourth album Street OT through YBNL Nation.[28] The album is a follow-up to his 2013 Baddest Guy Ever Liveth album.[29] Preceded by the singles titled "Story for the Gods" and "Goons Mi," Street OT features guest appearances from Pasuma, Lil Kesh, Chinko Ekun, Phyno, Don Jazzy, and Reminisce. Its production was handled by Pheelz, B-Banks, and Young Jonn.[30] The ideology of the title of the album is to glorify and show his love for the "streets," a word with which Olamide is synonymous with.[31]

2015: 2 Kings and Eyan Mayweather

Olamide collaborated with Phyno in 2015 to release 2 Kings. It was released through Cloud 9 and the iTunes Store with a little announcement on 1 April 2015 by Penthauze Music and YBNL Nation. The album features collaborations with producers and guest artists such as Wizkid, Lil Kesh, Storm Rex, Pheelz, Major Bangz, B.Banks and Young John.[32] Before recording the album, Olamide and Phyno frequently collaborated on several songs, including "Ghost Mode" and "Dope Money." The album produced the singles "Une" and "Confam Ni," both of which were released in the months leading to the album's release.

Olamide's fifth studio album Eyan Mayweather was released on 23 November 2015.[33][34] Released through YBNL Nation with studio production from Pheelz, Young Jonn, B Banks and I.D. Cabasa, Eyan Mayweather is the follow-up to 2 Kings, a collaborative album by Olamide and Phyno. The album boasted of having 21 tracks with no single feature.[35]

2016: The Glory

The Glory, Olamide's sixth studio album, was released on December 23, 2016. It was released through YBNL Nation with studio production from Pheelz. The Album contains 16 back-to-back tracks with features from artists like Phyno, Wande Coal, Burna Boy, Akuchi, and Davolee. The Glory is the follow-up to Eyan Mayweather. [36]

2020: 999 EP, joint venture deal with Empire and Carpe Diem

On 10 February 2020, Olamide released a surprise project, the EP 999[37] tooXclusive gave the project 6/10 rating,[38] while Motolani Alake of Pulse also gave a 5.5/10 review.[39]

Olamide revealed to the public on 18 February 2020 that his record label, YBNL Nation, has signed a joint venture deal with an international distribution company Empire.[40] He further stated that Fireboy DML and any new artist signed to YBNL Nation will join him to benefit from the deal.[40] Olamide's eleventh album Carpe Diem was released on 8 October 2020.[41] Carpe Diem contains 12 tracks and features Omah Lay, Fireboy DML, Peruzzi, Bad Boy Timz, Bella Shmurda and Phyno, with production credits to Young John, Pheelz, P.Priime, ID Cabasa and VStix.[42]

2021: UY Scuti

Olamide announced in March 2021 that he was done working on another album. On 18 April, he announced the album UY Scuti, which was released on 18 June.[43][44] Olamide mentioned that his son was the inspiration on why he titled the album UY Scuti.[45]

On 5 February 2022, Olamide hinted at retirement after the release of his 12th studio album.[46]

2023: Unruly

Olamide released his 10th studio album titled Unruly on 9 August 2023. The album features different African artists such as CKay, Asake, Bnxn, Rema and Fireboy DML[47]

Discography

Main article: Olamide discography

Studio albums

Collaborative albums and EPs

Awards and nominations

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (August 2014)
Year Event Prize Recipient Result Ref
2022 The Headies 2022 Best Rap Album Carpe Diem Won
Headies Viewer's Choice Infinityfeaturing Omah Lay Nominated
Album of the Year Carpe Diem Nominated
Best Male Artist Himself Nominated
Best Rap Single Loading featuring Bad Boy Timz Nominated
2021 All Africa Music Awards Song of the Year "Infinity" featuring Omah Lay Nominated [52]
Best West African artiste (male) Himself Nominated
Album of the year Carpe Diem Nominated
2021 Net Honours Most played Hip Hop song "Loading" featuring Bad Boy Timz Nominated [53]
Most Searched Musician (male) Himself Nominated
2020 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival Listeners' Choice Oil & Gas Nominated
2018 The Headies Best Street-Hop Artiste Wo Nominated
Best Rap Album The Glory Nominated
Artiste of the Year Himself Nominated
Song of the Year Wo Nominated
Headies' Viewer's Choice Nominated [54]
2016 Nigerian Entertainment Awards (NEAs) Album of the Year Eyan Mayweather Won [55]
Rap Act of the Year Himself Won
2016 Mobo Award Africa Act of the Year Himself Nominated
2015 City People Entertainment Awards Rap Artist of the Year Himself Won
Afrima West Africa Artist of the Year Himself Won
The Headies 2015 Best Street-Hop Artiste Won
Artiste of The Year Won
Best Pop Single "Bobo" Nominated
TooXclusive Awards 2015 Certified Banger of The Year Shakiti Bobo Won
Video Wonder of The Year Melo Melo Won
Artiste of The Year Himself Won
Male Artiste of The Year Himself Won
Best Street Hop Track Shakiti Bobo Nominated
'Reggae Blues

(HarrySong featuring Olamide, KCee, Iyanya & Orezi)

Nominated
'Ladi'

(Olamide & Phyno featuring Lil Kesh)

Nominated
Best Hip-Hop Track 'Local Rappers'

(Reminisce featuring Olamide & Phyno)

Won
Mixtape of The Year '2 Kings'

(Olamide & Phyno)

Won
Album of The Year Street OT Won
2014 The Headies 2014 Artiste of the Year Himself Nominated
Best Rap Album Baddest Guy Ever Liveth Won
Album of the Year Won
Best Rap Single "Dope Money"
(featuring Phyno) 		Nominated
2014 Channel O Music Video Awards Most Gifted West "Turn Up" Won [56]
2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best Rap Act of the Year Himself Nominated [57]
MTV Africa Music Awards 2014 Best Hip Hop Nominated [58]
City People Entertainment Awards Musician of the Year (Male) Nominated [59]
Rap Artiste of the Year Nominated
Most Popular Song of the Year "Eleda Mi" Nominated
Rap Album of the Year Baddest Guy Ever Liveth Nominated
World Music Awards World's Best Male Artist Himself Nominated [60]
World's Best Live Act Nominated
World's Best Entertainer of the Year Nominated
2013 Nigeria Music Video Awards Video of the Year "Durosoke" Nominated [61]
Best Afro Hip Hop Video Won
The Headies 2013 Song of the Year Nominated [62]
Best Street Hip-Hop Artiste Won
Best Rap Single Nominated
"Ghost Mode"
(Phyno featuring Olamide) 		Nominated
Artiste of the Year Himself Nominated
Lyricist on the Roll "Voice of the Streets" Nominated
Best Rap Album YBNL Won
Album of the Year Won
2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best Album of the Year Won [63]
Best Rap Act of the Year Himself Nominated [64]
Music Video of the Year "Voice of the Street" Nominated
Best Indigenous Artiste Himself Won [63]
Best Collabo "Ghost Mode"
(Phyno featuring Olamide) 		Won
2012 The Headies 2012 Hip Hop World Revelation of the Year Himself Nominated [65]
Best Rap Single "Young Erikina" Nominated
Best Rap Album Rapsodi Nominated
2011 The Headies 2011 Next Rated Himself Nominated

See also

References

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  2. ^ Sare, Watimagbo (2023). "Olamide most influential Street Pop artiste of his generation - Spotify". leadership.ng. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  3. ^ Sare, Watimagbo (2022). "The Impact Of Olamide On Nigerian Music". NaijaLoaded.com. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  4. ^ Sare, Watimagbo (2022). "The Influence Of Olamide In The Nigerian Music Industry And The Power Of His Features". WithinNigeria.com. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  5. ^ Sare, Watimagbo (2022). "The Power of Olamide Features & 11 Artists that Benefitted". NotJustOk.com. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  6. ^ Sare, Watimagbo (2022). "Olamide is a national treasure" Nigerians celebrate as music stars recounts Olamide's impact on their career". KemiFilani.Ng. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
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External links

Olamide
YBNL Nation
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