If fans, rivals and even fans of rivals come together to agree that you’re a star, then you are truly a one-of-a-kind superstar. A declaration Olamide made with the announcement and drop of his new album, ‘ikigai.’
With a career spanning over a decade as a rapper, singer, songwriter and label owner, Olamide has paid his dues and more in the industry.
An icon who has a keen eye for talent, Olamide Badoo is 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.
Collaborations
It’s simple. feature Olamide on your song, and you’re made. That’s exactly what TI Blaze did with his single “Sometimes” remix. Olamide gave him the much-needed push into the limelight.
Not only TI Blaze, but Portable, whose breakthrough came with the collaboration with Olamide on the song Zazu Zeh, propelling him into the spotlight. Zlatan Ibile, who rose to fame with the assistance of Olamide after his song My Body featured a verse from him, significantly boosting his presence in the music scene. Naira Marley, whose career soared to new heights following his collaboration with the Olamide in 2018 with the release of their song Issa Goal, and many more artists like Young Jonn, Ycee, and Pepenazi.
Record Label Influence
Olamide’s record label YBNL has been very paramount in the rise of artists making waves in the world of Afrobeats (both home and abroad), say, Asake, who has seen significant growth, culminating in his recent achievements, reception of a Grammy nomination and winning of different awards, an evidence of his talent and the support provided by Olamide’s record label.
Adekunle Gold also comes to mind, AG baby has showcased remarkable versatility in his career evolution. Fondly called AG Baby or Tio Tequila, his success story is incomplete without acknowledging the influence of Olamide. According to Adekunle Gold, the YBNL boss took him to London for the first time in 2015, an experience he remains grateful for, highlighting Olamide’s significant impact on his career.
We also have Fireboy DML, who’s doing extremely well in the industry, Lil Kesh, Chinko Ekun, Viktoh, and Temmie Ovwasa.
Industry Big Brother
The YBNL boss also plays the role of a big brother, encouraging artists to push more and guiding them in the right direction. Take Victony, whose debut album “stubborn” was literally pushed by Olamide as he originally meant to release it as an EP.
Badoo’s Kind Heart
You know what’s more surprising? His humility while doing all these.
Famous singer, Tiwa Savage, once shared a heartwarming story about her encounter with Olamide. According to Tiwa Savage, Olamide’s management demanded 100 million from her for a verse on her song, but he shockingly declined.
In her words; “I was talking to his management, I didn’t want to talk to him directly cus he would want to do it for free. Spoke to his team and they charged N100m. I was willing to pay. When Olamide asked them who the artist was, they said to me and he just said NO. He won’t take it. He said I am his sister and he knows how difficult it is to make it in the industry as a woman. That’s how he denied and guess what? He gave me the verse for Free. Good people exist and Baddo is one”
Olamide didn’t decline the N100m because he is the richest musician, he declined it because he is Olamide. It’s just who he is. His selflessness and willingness to sacrifice are attributes that keep him respected in the industry. Sometimes, they seem almost too good to be true.
Industry Collaborations
It is interesting to know that Olamide started as a struggling artist, but was able to rise through the ranks through sheer will and hard work. After leaving the coded tunes record label and launching his own, Olamide had an insane run of album releases from 2012 to 2017! While featuring big names like Wizkid, Don Jazzy, Reminisce, Phyno, and Davido to mention a few.
Unless you are listening to one of his albums he’s released since 2011, you won’t hear much from Olamide. For an artist of such magnitude and influence, Olamide rarely makes public appearances (both interviews and public shows), rarely gets involved in controversies. In fact, his last known public altercation was with Don Jazzy, at the 2015 Headies Award ceremony when he felt that his signee, Lil Kesh was cheated of the Next rated award category, Reekado Banks of Mavins won the award that year. It was an altercation that shouldn’t really be classified as one, but if drama can’t be generated from celebrities’ smallest acts, are they really celebrities?
The outburst was settled soon enough though, owning to the maturity of both parties.
Lots of artists have enjoyed Olamide’s support and contribution as an icon, legend, and mentor which makes him outstanding in the musical industry. And according to Spotify, he is the most influential Street-pop artist of his generation, and it was time he got the recognition he deserves. Undoubtedly.
An excerpt of Spotify’s editor for West Africa, Benewaah Boateng reads;
“Since the debut of his hit single, ‘Eni Duro,’ he has been a constant cultural force, popularising dance styles like ‘Shakiti Bobo’ and street lingos such as ‘Baddo Sneh’ and ‘Pepper Dem’. Through his record label YBNL, Olamide has also played a pivotal role in discovering and nurturing Nigeria’s brightest street pop talents. The influence of Street Pop on the Nigerian music landscape in 2023 is clearly and undeniably significant. This is just the beginning of Street Pop going mainstream, and we cannot wait to see how it continues to grow.”
On the global stage, Olamide isn’t slacking either. In 2020 he signed a deal with US-based music company Empire to take what he has done to new global levels. The deal involved both brands coming together as one.
Referred to some as the kingmaker, He champions a sound and aesthetic that resonates with the Nigerian youth, a voice for the streets that has become a cultural phenomenon(Shakiti Bobo, Science student and more), His influence isn’t merely measured by awards or streams(even though he’s had quite a number) it’s measured in the sheer number of artists he’s helped elevate, the countless careers he’s nurtured, and the sound of a movement he continues to inspire. Olamide, the don of the new school, has cemented his place as a legend whose legacy has helped shape Nigerian Pop music and will continue to do so for generations to come.
