Olamide | |
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.jpg) Olamide performing at the first edition of his OLIC concert | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as |
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| Born | Olamide Gbenga Adedeji (1989-03-15)15 March 1989 (age 36) Bariga,Lagos State, Nigeria |
| Origin | Nigeria |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 2010–present |
| Labels | |
Spouse | Mrs. Adebukunmi Adedeji Nee Okeowo |
| YouTube information | |
| Channel | |
| Subscribers | 1.4 million |
| Views | 601 million |
| Last updated: December 2025 | |
Olamide Gbenga Adedeji (listenⓘ; born 15 March 1989), known professionally asOlamide, is aNigerian rapper, singer, songwriter, and record executive.[1] Olamide is regarded as one of the most influential artistes in Nigeria and Africa, has been crucial to the creative and commercial success of severalAfrobeats music stars. He records inYoruba and English. In 2011, he released his debut studio albumRapsodi while signed toID Cabasa's Coded Tunes.YBNL, his follow-up album, was released under his label imprint "Yahoo Boy No Laptop", also known asYBNL 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 albumBaddest Guy Ever Liveth. The album's singles includeDurosoke" and "Yemi My Lover". On 17 July 2013, Olamide became the first Nigerian to sign an endorsement deal withCîroc.[2]
In November 2023, he received his first nomination at the66th Annual Grammy Award for the song "Amapiano" alongside his signeeAsake making him the first and only Nigeria/Africa rapper nominated in the history of the prestigious award.[3] In 2025,Billboard magazine listed Olamide as one of its Global Power Players.[4]
Olamidé Gbenga Adedeji was born inBariga,Lagos State,[5][6] 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 asDJ Enimoney) are Olamide's two siblings.[7]
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 atThe Hip Hop World Awards.[1] He studiedmass communication atTai Solarin University but dropped out due to financial problems.[8]
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.[9] Olamide allegedly had a love child with Maria Okanrende, who at the time worked atThe Beat 99.9 FM.[10]
He was signed toID Cabasa's Coded Tunes record label and was managed by Toni Payne.[1] In 2012, he left Coded Tunes and started his record labelYBNL Nation.[11]
Olamide's debut album,Rapsodi was released in 2011. Its lead single, "Omo To Shan", charted on several radio stations inLagos and acrossNigeria. Olamide's debut offering led to collaborations with numerous artists, includingWizkid,ID Cabasa,9ice,2phat,Reminisce andD'banj.[12]
Adedeji's second studio albumYBNL was released in November 2012. Its production was handled byTyrone, Samklef, 2 Kriss,Pheelz, andID Cabasa. The album features guest appearances fromDavido,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".[13]
Baddest Guy Ever Liveth is Olamide's third studio album. It was released on 7 November 2013 byYBNL Nation,[14] he recorded the album between 2012 and 2013 and enlistedPheelz, Buckwyla, Ketchup,Ice Prince,Pepenazi, Endia, Viktoh, B.Banks,Phyno, Pele Pele andBez to appear as guest artists on it. The album was produced entirely by Pheelz and plugged byOlaitan Salaudeen,[15] except for the thirteenth track, "Sitting on the Throne".[16][17]
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.[18] It was ranked 12th on Afrikka Radio's list of the top 12 best Nigerian albums of 2013.[19]Baddest Guy Ever Liveth won Best Album of the Year at the2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards, and was nominated for Rap Album of the Year at the 2014City People Entertainment Awards.[20][21] It won Best RapAlbum andAlbum of the Year atThe Headies 2014.[22]
In May 2013, it was reported that Olamide had signed a record deal with DB Records. Olamide took to Twitter to debunk the reports.[23] In an interview withToolz onNdaniTV'sThe Juice, he said that it was "too late" for anyone to sign him.[24]
On 14 November 2014, Olamide released his fourth albumStreet OT throughYBNL Nation.[25] The album is a follow-up to his 2013Baddest Guy Ever Liveth album.[26] Preceded by the singles titled "Story for the Gods" and "Goons Mi",Street OT featuresguest appearances fromPasuma,Lil Kesh,Chinko Ekun,Phyno,Don Jazzy, andReminisce. Its production was handled byPheelz, B-Banks, andYoung Jonn.[27] The ideology of the title of the album is to glorify and show his love for the "streets", a word with which Olamide issynonymous with.[28]
Olamide collaborated with Phyno in 2015 to release2 Kings. It was released through Cloud 9 and theiTunes Store with a little announcement on 1 April 2015 by Penthauze Music andYBNL Nation. The album features collaborations with producers and guest artists such asWizkid,Lil Kesh, Storm Rex,Pheelz, Major Bangz, B.Banks andYoung John.[29] 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 albumEyan Mayweather was released on 23 November 2015.[30][31] Released throughYBNL Nation with studio production fromPheelz,Young Jonn, B Banks andID Cabasa,Eyan Mayweather is the follow-up to2 Kings, a collaborative album by Olamide andPhyno. The album boasted of having 21 tracks with no single feature.[32]
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 toEyan Mayweather.[33]
On 10 February 2020, Olamide released a surprise project, the EP999[34]tooXclusive gave the project 6/10 rating,[35] while Motolani Alake of Pulse also gave a 5.5/10 review.[36]
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 companyEmpire.[37] He further stated thatFireboy DML and any new artist signed to YBNL Nation will join him to benefit from the deal.[37]Olamide's eleventh albumCarpe Diem was released on 8 October 2020.[38]Carpe Diem contains 12 tracks and featuresOmah Lay,Fireboy DML,Peruzzi,Bad Boy Timz,Bella Shmurda andPhyno, with production credits toYoung John,Pheelz,P.Priime,ID Cabasa and VStix.[39]
Olamide announced in March 2021 that he was done working on another album. On 18 April, he announced the albumUY Scuti, which was released on 18 June.[40][41] Olamide mentioned that his son was the inspiration on why he titled the album UY Scuti.[42]
On 5 February 2022, Olamide hinted at retirement after the release of his 12th studio album.[43]
Olamide released his 10th studio album titledUnruly on 9 August 2023. The album features different African artists such asCKay,Asake,Bnxn,Rema andFireboy DML.[44]
Olamide announced on 26 June 2024 that he had completed work on a seven-track project titledIkigai.[45] The next day, he released "Project Ikigai" (生き甲斐) featuring collaborations past and present artists signed to the YBNL record label such asFireboy DML,Asake,Young John,Pheelz, andLil Kesh.[46]
On June 18, 2025, Olamide released the albumOlamidé.[47]
Studio albums
| Collaborative albums EPs
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| Year | Event | Prize | Recipient | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Billboard Music Awards | Global Power Player | Himself | Won | [48] |
| 2024 | African Entertainment Awards USA | Album of the Year | Ikigai Vol. 1 | Won | [49] |
| NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding International Song | "Amapiano" withAsake) | Nominated | [50] | |
| 2023 | 66th Annual Grammy Awards | Best African Music Performance | "Amapiano" (with Asake) | Nominated | [51] |
| 2022 | The Headies | Carpe Diem | Best Rap Album | Won | [52] |
| Headies Viewer's Choice | "Infinity" (featuringOmah Lay) | Nominated | |||
| Album of the Year | Carpe Diem | Nominated | |||
| Best Male Artist | Himself | Nominated | |||
| Best Rap Single | "Loading" (featuringBad Boy Timz) | Nominated | |||
| 2021 | All Africa Music Awards | Song of the Year | "Infinity" (featuringOmah Lay) | Nominated | [53] |
| Best West African Artiste (Male) | Himself | Nominated | |||
| Album of the Year | Carpe Diem | Nominated | |||
| Net Honours | Most Played Hip Hop Song | "Loading" (featuringBad Boy Timz) | Nominated | [54] | |
| Most Searched Musician (Male) | Himself | Nominated | |||
| 2020 | Soundcity MVP Awards Festival | Listeners' Choice | "Oil & Gas" | Nominated | [55] |
| 2018 | The Headies | Best Street-Hop Artiste | "Wo" | Nominated | [56] |
| Best Rap Album | The Glory | Nominated | |||
| Artiste of the Year | Himself | Nominated | |||
| Song of the Year | "Wo" | Nominated | |||
| Headies' Viewer's Choice | Nominated | ||||
| 2016 | Nigeria Entertainment Awards (NEAs) | Album of the Year | Eyan Mayweather | Won | [57] |
| Rap Act of the Year | Himself | Won | |||
| MTV EMA 2016 | Best African Act | Himself | Nominated | ||
| MOBO Awards | Best African Act | Himself | Nominated | [58] | |
| 2015 | City People Entertainment Awards | Rap Artist of the Year | Himself | Won | [59] |
| Artist of the Year | Won | ||||
| African Muzik Magazine Awards | West Africa Artist of the Year | Won | [60] | ||
| The Headies | Best Street-Hop Artiste | Won | [61] | ||
| Artiste of the Year | Won | ||||
| Best Pop Single | "Bobo" | Nominated | |||
| TooXclusive Awards | Certified Banger of the Year | "Bobo" | Won | [62] | |
| Video Wonder of the Year | "Melo Melo" | Won | |||
| Artiste of the Year | Himself | Won | |||
| Male Artiste of the Year | Himself | Won | |||
| Best Street Hop Track | "Bobo" | Nominated | |||
| "Reggae Blues" (HarrySong featuring Olamide,KCee,Iyanya &Orezi) | Nominated | ||||
| "Ladi" (Olamide &Phyno featuring Lil Kesh) | Nominated | ||||
| Best Hip-Hop Track | "Local Rappers" (Reminisce featuring Olamide & Phyno) | Won | |||
| Mixtape of The Year | 2 Kings (Olamide & Phyno) | Won | |||
| Album of the Year | Street OT | Won | |||
| 2014 | The Headies 2014 | Artiste of the Year | Himself | Nominated | [63] |
| Best Rap Album | Baddest Guy Ever Liveth | Won | |||
| Album of the Year | Won | ||||
| Best Rap Single | "Dope Money" (featuring Phyno) | Nominated | |||
| 2014 Channel O Music Video Awards | Most Gifted West | "Turn Up" | Won | [64] | |
| 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Rap Act of the Year | Himself | Nominated | [65] | |
| MTV Africa Music Awards 2014 | Best Hip Hop | Nominated | [66] | ||
| City People Entertainment Awards | Musician of the Year (Male) | Nominated | [67] | ||
| Rap Artiste of the Year | Nominated | ||||
| Most Popular Song of the Year | "Eleda Mi" | Nominated | |||
| Rap Album of the Year | Baddest Guy Ever Liveth | Nominated | |||
| World Music Awards | World's Best Male Artist | Himself | Nominated | [68] | |
| World's Best Live Act | Nominated | ||||
| World's Best Entertainer of the Year | Nominated | ||||
| 2013 | Nigeria Music Video Awards | Video of the Year | "Durosoke" | Nominated | [69] |
| Best Afro Hip Hop Video | Won | ||||
| The Headies 2013 | Song of the Year | Nominated | [70] | ||
| Best Street Hip-Hop Artiste | Won | ||||
| Best Rap Single | Nominated | ||||
| "Ghost Mode" (Phyno featuring Olamide) | Nominated | ||||
| Artiste of the Year | Himself | Nominated | |||
| Lyricist on the Roll | "Voice of the Streets" | Nominated | |||
| Best Rap Album | YBNL | Won | |||
| Album of the Year | Won | ||||
| 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Album of the Year | Won | [71] | ||
| Best Rap Act of the Year | Himself | Nominated | [72] | ||
| Music Video of the Year | "Voice of the Street" | Nominated | |||
| Best Indigenous Artiste | Himself | Won | [71] | ||
| Best Collabo | "Ghost Mode" (Phyno featuring Olamide) | Won | |||
| 2012 | The Headies 2012 | Hip Hop World Revelation of the Year | Himself | Nominated | [73] |
| Best Rap Single | "Young Erikina" | Nominated | |||
| Best Rap Album | Rapsodi | Nominated | |||
| 2011 | The Headies 2011 | Next Rated | Himself | Nominated |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Artists | |
