Background and career
Olamide Gbenga Adedeji (; born 15 March 1989), known mononymously as Olamide, is a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter, and record executive. Olamide, who is regarded as one of the most influential artists in Nigeria and Africa, has been crucial to the creative and commercial success of several Afrobeats music stars. He records in Yoruba and English. In 2011, he released his debut studio album, Rapsodi, while signed to ID Cabasa's 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 Awards for the song "Amapiano" alongside his signee Asake making him one of the first Nigerian and African rappers to be recognised in that category. In 2025, Billboard magazine listed Olamide as one of its Global Power Players.
Olamidé 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 and "Omo To Shan" with Wizkid. 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.
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.
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, 2phat, Reminisce and D'banj.
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".
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.
