Artist Focus: Olamide
Olamide is the Baddest Guy That Ever Liveth!
Real name:Olamide Adedeji Stage name:Olamide Date of birth:March 15, 1989 State of Origin:Ogun Nationality:Nigerian Genre:Hip HopOlamidehas come a long way from the dude rapping on the streets to the music sensation selling out concerts and winning lots of awards. ‘Olamide’ literally means ‘Wealth has come’ and he has proved that over and over again, etching his name in the sands of time.
It hasn’t always been rosy for the one known as ‘Baddo’ and ‘Baddo Sneh’. He was born inBariga,Lagos State,Nigeria without a silver spoon but was determined to make something of himself.
Olamide attended both primary and secondary schools in Lagos and furthered his studies by getting a Mass Communication degree fromTai Solarin University of Education.
He decided to pursue a career in music in 2000 after he realized he was talented in it. Armed with a creative brain and the will to make it or die trying, the young man chose to make his music in his native language,Yoruba.
Olamide releasedEni Duroin 2010 under theCoded Tunesrecord label which had him signed at the time. It received national critical acclaim and instantly shot him to the limelight. Nigerians bore witness to an enigma who brought a different approach to the rap genre; a blend of street rhymes and dancehall beats which won him many fans in a very short time.
With all eyes on him, he performed atThe Hip Hop Awards that same year (2010) and his debut albumRapsodiwas released in 2011. Its lead singleEni Duro got airplay on many radio stations in Lagos and across the country.
Olamide’s impressive debut coupled with his unique rap led to collaborations with other artists includingWizkid,ID Cabasa,9ice,Reminisce, andD’banj. He started his own record label,YBNL Nation, in 2012.
His second studio albumYBNLwas released in November 2012.Tyrone,Samklef,2 Kriss,Pheelz, andID Cabasaworked on the production. It featuredDavido,Tiwa Savage,Kayswitch,Dammy Krane,Reminisce,Samklef, and others. It was promoted by the singlesIlefo Illuminati,First Of All,Stupid Love andVoice of the Street.
By this time, Olamide had established himself in the Nigerian music industry and had become a household name around the country. Children in the streets were often heard singing his songs, and even the old nodded as they enjoyed his melody. The young man with nothing but a dream and a drive had arrived!
On 7 November 2013, he released his third studio albumBaddest Guy Ever Liveth. Its lead singles wereDurosokeandYemi My Lover. That was the year he became the first Nigerian to sign an endorsement deal withCiroc.
In 2014,Chiori Daniel Cole, a representative ofAchievas Entertainment LimitedandRight Entertainmentnow known asTEC, started the movement to see him hold his first-ever concert, which has become one of the industry’s biggest (Olamide Live In Concert).
Olamide released the smash hitBoboin 2015. It was another song that the public couldn’t get tired of. It enjoyed repeated airplay on many radio stations and the video saw the rapper showcase his dancing skills.
In 2017, Olamide sold out theTeslim Balogun Stadium. He has also sold out theEventim Apolloand his Culture Tour alongsidePhynoat theO2 Arena.
Olamide has been nominated and has won several music awards, including multipleNigeria Entertainment Awards andThe Headies Awards. Almost every song from him is a potential hit and his street credibility is rock-solid.
It’s going to be a while before we see another like Nigeria’s baddest as his lyrical prowess and musical persona have tattooed his name in our hearts forever. Long may he reign!