Olamide

Nigerian rapper Olamide has become a global ambassador of his country's music.

Born Olamide Gbenga Adedeji on March 15, 1989 in Bariga, Lagos State, Nigeria, Olamide had early ambitions of becoming a rapper but faced hardship. He enrolled at Tai Solarin University of Education to study Mass Communication but was forced to drop out when his parents couldn’t manage his tuition.

He broke through in 2010 with the single "Eni Duro" and released his debut album Rapsodi in 2011, which earned a Best Rap Album nomination at The Headies. What followed was an unprecedented run of dominance: he won Album of the Year at The Headies three years in a row with 2012's YBNL, 2013's Baddest Guy Ever Liveth, and 2014's Street OT — a feat no Nigerian rapper has matched.

In 2012, he founded his imprint YBNL Nation (Yahoo Boy No Laptop Nation), which has become one of Africa's most important labels. The roster has nurtured some of Nigeria's biggest stars including Fireboy DML, Adekunle Gold, Lil Kesh, Asake, DJ Enimoney, Young Jonn and Temmie Ovwasa.

Rapping primarily in Yoruba with a rapid, streetwise flow mixed with English and Pidgin, Olamide pioneered the fusion of indigenous rap, Afro-fusion and street pop — proving that music in a local language could fill stadiums. From hits like "Wo!!", "Bobo", "Durosoke" and "Infinity" to later albums like _Carpe Diem_ (2020) and _UY Scuti_ (2021), his consistency, hit-making ear and loyalty to the streets have made him one of the most influential figures in Afrobeats history.