# Olamide

Olamide Gbenga Adedeji (born 15 March 1989) is a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter, and record executive. He is regarded as one of the most influential artists in Nigeria and has been crucial 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. 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", also known as 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.
In November 2023, He received his first nomination at the 66th Annual Grammy Award for the song "Amapiano" alongside his signee Asake making him the first and only Nigeria/Africa rapper nominated in the history of the prestigious award.

## Early life and musical beginnings

Olamide Gbenga Adedeji was born in Bariga, Lagos State, 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.
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. He studied mass communication at Tai Solarin University but dropped out due to financial problems.
Adedeji is married to Adebukunmi Aisha Suleiman. They have three children together, two boys, Batifeori Maximilliano Adedeji and Tunrepin Myles Adedeji, and a daughter, Mowaririfunoluwa Celine Adedeji. Olamide allegedly had a love child with Maria Okanrende, who at the time worked at The Beat 99.9 FM.

## Music career

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

### 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.

### 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".

### 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, 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 and plugged by Olaitan Salaudeen, except for the thirteenth track, "Sitting on the Throne".
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. It was ranked 12th on Afrikka Radio's list of the top 12 best Nigerian albums of 2013. 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. It won Best Rap Album and Album of the Year at The Headies 2014.
In May 2013, it was reported that Olamide had signed a record deal with DB Records. Olamide took to Twitter to debunk the reports. In an interview with Toolz on NdaniTV's The Juice, he said that it was "too late" for anyone to sign him.

### 2014: Street OT

On 14 November 2014, Olamide released his fourth album Street OT through YBNL Nation. The album is a follow-up to his 2013 Baddest Guy Ever Liveth album. 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. 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.

### 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. 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. Released through YBNL Nation with studio production from Pheelz, Young Jonn, B Banks and ID 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.

### 2016: The Glory

The Glory, Olamide's sixth studio album, was released on 23 December 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.

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

On 10 February 2020, Olamide released a surprise project, the EP 999 tooXclusive gave the project 6/10 rating, while Motolani Alake of Pulse also gave a 5.5/10 review.
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. He further stated that Fireboy DML and any new artist signed to YBNL Nation will join him to benefit from the deal. Olamide's eleventh album Carpe Diem was released on 8 October 2020. 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.

### 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. Olamide mentioned that his son was the inspiration on why he titled the album UY Scuti.
On 5 February 2022, Olamide hinted at retirement after the release of his 12th studio album.

### 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.

### 2024: Ikigai (生き甲斐)

Olamide announced on 26 June 2024 that he had completed work on a seven-track project titled Ikigai. The next day, he released "Project Ikigai" (生き甲斐) featuring collaborations past and present artists signed to the YBNL record label such as Fireboy DML, Asake, Young John, Pheelz, and Lil Kesh.

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Event | Prize | Recipient | Result | Ref |
| 2024 | Image Award(NAACP) | Outstanding International Song | Amapiano | Nominated |
| 2023 | Grammy | Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance | Amapiano | Nominated |
| 2023 | Grammy | 2022 | The Headies | Carpe Diem | Best Rap Album | Won |
| Headies Viewer's Choice | "Infinity" featuring Omah Lay | 2022 | The Headies | Nominated |
| Album of the Year | Carpe Diem | 2022 | The Headies | Nominated |
| Best Male Artist | Himself | 2022 | The Headies | Nominated |
| Best Rap Single | Loading featuring Bad Boy Timz | 2022 | The Headies | Nominated |
| 2021 | All Africa Music Awards | Song of the Year | "Infinity" featuring Omah Lay | Nominated | |
| 2021 | All Africa Music Awards | Best West African artiste (male) | Himself | Nominated |
| 2021 | All Africa Music Awards | Album of the year | Carpe Diem | Nominated |
| 2021 | All Africa Music Awards | 2021 | Net Honours | Most played Hip Hop song | "Loading" featuring Bad Boy Timz | Nominated |
| Most Searched Musician (male) | Himself | 2021 | Net Honours | Nominated |
| 2020 | Soundcity MVP Awards Festival | Listeners' Choice | Oil & Gas | Nominated | |
| 2018 | The Headies | Best Street-Hop Artiste | Wo | Nominated | |
| 2018 | The Headies | Best Rap Album | The Glory | Nominated | |
| 2018 | The Headies | Artiste of the Year | Himself | Nominated | |
| 2018 | The Headies | Song of the Year | Wo | Nominated | |
| 2018 | The Headies | Headies' Viewer's Choice | Wo | Nominated | |
| 2016 | Nigerian Entertainment Awards (NEAs) | Album of the Year | Eyan Mayweather | Won | |
| 2016 | Nigerian Entertainment Awards (NEAs) | 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 |
| 2015 | Afrima | West Africa Artist of the Year | Himself | Himself | Won |
| 2015 | The Headies 2015 | Best Street-Hop Artiste | Himself | Won | |
| 2015 | The Headies 2015 | Artiste of The Year | Won | | |
| 2015 | The Headies 2015 | Best Pop Single | "Bobo" | Nominated | |
| 2015 | TooXclusive Awards 2015 | Certified Banger of The Year | Shakiti Bobo | Won |
| 2015 | TooXclusive Awards 2015 | Video Wonder of The Year | Melo Melo | Won |
| 2015 | TooXclusive Awards 2015 | Artiste of The Year | Himself | Won |
| 2015 | TooXclusive Awards 2015 | Male Artiste of The Year | Himself | Won |
| 2015 | TooXclusive Awards 2015 | Best Street Hop Track | Shakiti Bobo | Nominated |
| 2015 | TooXclusive Awards 2015 | Best Street Hop Track | "Reggae Blues" (HarrySong featuring Olamide, KCee, Iyanya & Orezi) | Nominated |
| 2015 | TooXclusive Awards 2015 | Best Street Hop Track | "Ladi" (Olamide & Phyno featuring Lil Kesh) | Nominated |
| 2015 | TooXclusive Awards 2015 | Best Hip-Hop Track | "Local Rappers" (Reminisce featuring Olamide & Phyno) | Won |
| 2015 | TooXclusive Awards 2015 | Mixtape of The Year | '2 Kings' (Olamide & Phyno) | Won |
| Album of The Year | TooXclusive Awards 2015 | Street OT | Won |
| 2014 | The Headies 2014 | Artiste of the Year | Himself | Nominated | |
| 2014 | The Headies 2014 | Best Rap Album | Baddest Guy Ever Liveth | Won | |
| 2014 | The Headies 2014 | Album of the Year | Baddest Guy Ever Liveth | Won | |
| 2014 | The Headies 2014 | Best Rap Single | "Dope Money" (featuring Phyno) | Nominated | |
| 2014 | 2014 Channel O Music Video Awards | Most Gifted West | "Turn Up" | Won | |
| 2014 | 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Rap Act of the Year | Himself | Nominated | |
| 2014 | MTV Africa Music Awards 2014 | Best Hip Hop | Himself | Nominated | |
| 2014 | City People Entertainment Awards | Musician of the Year (Male) | Himself | Nominated | |
| 2014 | City People Entertainment Awards | Rap Artiste of the Year | Himself | Nominated | |
| 2014 | City People Entertainment Awards | Most Popular Song of the Year | "Eleda Mi" | Nominated | |
| 2014 | City People Entertainment Awards | Rap Album of the Year | Baddest Guy Ever Liveth | Nominated | |
| 2014 | World Music Awards | World's Best Male Artist | Himself | Nominated | |
| 2014 | World Music Awards | World's Best Live Act | Himself | Nominated | |
| 2014 | World Music Awards | World's Best Entertainer of the Year | Himself | Nominated | |
| 2013 | Nigeria Music Video Awards | Video of the Year | "Durosoke" | Nominated | |
| 2013 | Nigeria Music Video Awards | Best Afro Hip Hop Video | "Durosoke" | Won | |
| 2013 | The Headies 2013 | Song of the Year | "Durosoke" | Nominated | |
| 2013 | The Headies 2013 | Best Street Hip-Hop Artiste | "Durosoke" | Won | |
| 2013 | The Headies 2013 | Best Rap Single | "Durosoke" | Nominated | |
| 2013 | The Headies 2013 | Best Rap Single | "Ghost Mode" (Phyno featuring Olamide) | Nominated | |
| 2013 | The Headies 2013 | Artiste of the Year | Himself | Nominated | |
| 2013 | The Headies 2013 | Lyricist on the Roll | "Voice of the Streets" | Nominated | |
| 2013 | The Headies 2013 | Best Rap Album | YBNL | Won | |
| 2013 | The Headies 2013 | Album of the Year | YBNL | Won | |
| 2013 | 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Album of the Year | YBNL | Won | |
| 2013 | 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Rap Act of the Year | Himself | Nominated | |
| 2013 | 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Music Video of the Year | "Voice of the Street" | Nominated | |
| 2013 | 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Indigenous Artiste | Himself | Won | |
| 2013 | 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Collabo | "Ghost Mode" (Phyno featuring Olamide) | Won | |
| 2012 | The Headies 2012 | Hip Hop World Revelation of the Year | Himself | Nominated | |
| 2012 | The Headies 2012 | Best Rap Single | "Young Erikina" | Nominated | |
| 2012 | The Headies 2012 | Best Rap Album | Rapsodi | Nominated | |
| 2011 | The Headies 2011 | Next Rated | Himself | Nominated | |