Olamide

Olamide Gbenga Adedeji (born 15 March 1989) is a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter, and record executive.

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.

He records in Yoruba and English.

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 two boys together, Batifeori Maximilliano Adedeji and Tunrepin Myles Adedeji.

Olamide allegedly had a love child with Maria Okanrende, who at the time worked at The Beat 99.9 FM

He was signed to ID Cabasa's Coded Tunes record label and was managed by Toni Payne.

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," aka YBNL Nation.

The album was supported by the singles "First of All," "Voice of the Street," "Stupid Love," and "Ilefo Illuminati."

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.

In 2012, he left Coded Tunes and started his record label YBNL Nation.

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.

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, Olamide received his first nomination at the 66th Annual Grammy Award for the song "Amapiano" alongside his signee Asake, becoming the first Nigerian hip hop act in history to achieve this feat.

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, 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.

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.

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.

On 14 November 2014, Olamide released his fourth album Street OT through YBNL Nation.