Profession: Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Record Label Executive
Genre: Hip-Hop, Afrobeats, Street-Hop
Legacy: Known as the βVoice of the Streetsβ, Olamide brought Yoruba rap to mainstream Nigerian music and mentored a new generation of stars.
π± Early Life
Born and raised in Bariga, Lagos State, into a humble background.
Studied Mass Communication at Tai Solarin University of Education (Ogun State).
Started music in 2000, heavily influenced by Nigerian rap pioneers like Dagrin.
π Musical Career
π€ Breakthrough
Rose to fame in 2010 with his debut single βEni Duroβ, a hit that introduced his unique style of Yoruba-infused rap.
Signed briefly with Coded Tunes under ID Cabasa before establishing his own path.
π½ Albums
Olamide is one of the most prolific Nigerian artists, with over 10 studio albums:
Rapsodi (2011)
YBNL (2012) β included hits βFirst of Allβ and βVoice of the Street.β
Baddest Guy Ever Liveth (2013) β produced street anthems like βStory for the Gods.β
Street OT (2014)
Eyan Mayweather (2015)
The Glory (2016)
Lagos Nawa (2017)
999 (EP, 2020)
UY Scuti (2021) β more Afrobeats and global sound.
Unruly (2023) β received wide acclaim.
π΅ Musical Style
Raps and sings in a mix of Yoruba, English, and Pidgin English.
Themes revolve around street life, hustle, love, and celebration.
Credited with making street-hop a dominant force in Nigerian music.
π Achievements & Impact
Founded YBNL Nation (Yahoo Boy No Laptop) record label in 2012.
Discovered and mentored stars like Lil Kesh, Adekunle Gold, Fireboy DML, Asake, and Chinko Ekun.
Considered the bridge between the underground street sound and global Afrobeats.
Regularly headlines the Olamide Live in Concert (OLIC), one of Nigeriaβs biggest music shows.
π¬ Famous Quotes
βMusic is a mission, not a competition.β
π Awards & Recognition
Multiple Headies Awards (one of the most awarded artists in the awardβs history).
Nigeria Entertainment Awards, City People Awards, MTV Africa Music Awards.
Named among the most influential Nigerian entertainers of the 2010s.
π¦ Legacy
Olamide is celebrated as the βKing of the Streetsβ, giving a voice to Nigeriaβs grassroots culture.
His work as a mentor and label boss has reshaped the Nigerian music industry, ensuring that new talent continues to flourish.
β Conclusion
Olamide is more than just a rapper β he is a movement. From Bariga to global stages, he remains a symbol of resilience, creativity, and the unstoppable rise of street culture in Nigerian music.