Olamide: The Street-Hop King of Nigerian Music
Olamide Adedeji, known mononymously as Olamide, is a Nigerian rapper, singer, and record executive who has dominated the Afrobeats and street-hop scene for over a decade. Hailing from Bariga, Lagos, his prolific output and keen ear for street anthems have resulted in a massive catalog, with numerous albums achieving commercial success and influencing a generation.
Early career
Born in 1989, Olamide's journey began in the bustling streets of Bariga, a Lagos neighborhood that would heavily flavor his music. His early foray into music culminated in his debut studio album, Rapsodi, released in 2011 under the now-defunct Coded Tunes label. This project introduced his raw, Yoruba-language rap style, setting the foundation for his future sound and establishing a direct connection with his core audience.
Breakthrough
Olamide's true national breakthrough arrived in 2012 with the release of his second album, YBNL, and its massively popular lead single "First of All". The album's success was so profound that he founded his own imprint, YBNL Nation, that same year. This move cemented his independence and entrepreneurial spirit, with YBNL going on to achieve platinum certification in Nigeria and solidifying his status as a force in the industry.
Key tracks
First of All — This 2012 hit became a national anthem and is widely credited as the song that catapulted Olamide to mainstream stardom.
Story for the Gods — A 2014 street-hop banger that dominated airwaves and parties, showcasing his ability to craft irresistible, slang-driven hooks.
Wo — The 2017 single was a cultural phenomenon, sparking a viral dance craze and further proving his hit-making prowess transcends traditional rap.
Motigbana — This 2013 collaboration with singer Wizkid was a major cross-genre success, blending Olamide's rap with Wizkid's melodic style seamlessly.
Science Student — A 2018 release that sparked national conversation for its lyrical content while simultaneously becoming another chart-topping hit.
Following his breakthrough, Olamide entered a period of relentless productivity, releasing a studio album almost every year throughout the 2010s. Projects like Baddest Guy Ever Liveth (2013), Street OT (2014), and The Glory (2016) consistently delivered hits and expanded his sonic palette to include more singing and pop-inflected tracks. His role as a label boss at YBNL Nation also grew, as he successfully launched the careers of artists like Adekunle Gold, Lil Kesh, and Fireboy DML, shaping the sound of a new era in Nigerian pop. His 2020 collaborative album with Phyno, Carpe Diem, was a landmark union between two of Nigeria's premier rappers.
Fans of Olamide's authentic Nigerian street-hop and versatile Afrobeats style also enjoy the music of Phyno, who shares a similar mastery of blending indigenous language rap with contemporary production. The energetic flows and street narratives of Rema also resonate with Olamide's audience, representing the new wave of genre-blending stars. Listeners appreciate the catchy, pop-oriented Afrobeats of Fireboy DML, an artist Olamide himself discovered and nurtured. For those who enjoy Olamide's earlier raw rap style, the work of MI Abaga offers a different but foundational perspective on Nigerian hip-hop.Olamide's extensive catalog of street anthems and Afro-pop hits ensures his music is a staple on Nigerian and African music radio stations featured on this website. His tracks are regularly in heavy rotation on contemporary Afrobeats channels, hip-hop focused streams, and major urban FM stations across the continent, guaranteeing listeners a dose of his energetic sound.
You can experience the dynamic music of Olamide on various radio stations available
