In 2010, Olamide announced himself on the Nigerian music scene with the hard-hitting rap cut Eni Duro. It was an emphatic introduction to the then Coded Tunes signee, as he showcased his confidence, breathless flow, and polished technique. Rapping in both English and Yoruba, Olamide was primed to carry the torch of Indigenous Hip-hop in Nigeria—a torch left behind by the untimely passing of the highly impactful Da’Grin.
Fourteen years, ten studio albums, two EPs, two collaborative projects, and a truckload of hits later, Olamide has achieved everything that was expected of him—and more. He’s no longer a star-in-the-making positioned to fill a void. At 36, the rapper, singer, songwriter, producer, and founder of YBNL Nation has cemented his legacy as the greatest Nigerian rapper of all time.
For over a decade, Olamide has remained a prolific hitmaker and music executive. He has helped shape the sound of both Hip-hop and Afrobeats—directly through his expansive catalogue, and indirectly by championing and platforming young talents including Lil Kesh, Adekunle Gold, Pheelz, Fireboy DML, Asake, Young Jonn, and many others through label deals, co-signs, and strategic collaborations.
Olamide has long proved that he’s not just an artist—he’s an influencer of culture, and he has done this by not just proving his greatness but by creating greatness.
On June 18th, 2025, he released his eleventh studio album, Olamide, to much fanfare. And rightly so. Fifteen years in, Olamide continues to excite Nigerian audiences across generations with a clear understanding of the musical landscape, always delivering what the times demand. His versatility and range allow him to thrive across sonic boundaries.
His latest project leans into the current soundscape but through a more mature lens. It’s mellow, jazz-inflected, and soul-inspired—luxury Afrobeats, if you will.
The opener, Prelude, sets the tone for the project, with Baddo spotlighting rising star Fxrtune. Over soft piano chords, Fxrtune channels Olamide’s thoughts, embodying a man who has journeyed far and finally arrived at a place of peace, purpose, and identity. “I feel home at last, this is where I belong“, he sings.
On Hasibunallah, Olamide reflects on the hustle that brought him here, leaning into spirituality with lines like Alhamdulillah, glory to Allah‘—a reminder that divine favour underpins his success. While he acknowledges the place of the divine in his success story, Free explores the cost of chasing success. “Left you a letter, I’ll be back later / I’ve been chasing my paper” sings Muyeez on the sticky hook, paving the way for Seyi Vibez’s raw delivery and Olamide’s breezy verse.
If Free is the song of boys trying to become men, then Billionaires Club is the sound of made men enjoying their success. Wrapped in a laid-back groove, the song celebrates abundance, laced with street wisdom: “Go and apply wisdom, make you seek knowledge to build your kingdom.” The expensive-sounding beat allows each artist’s presence to shine.
Wizkid delivers a standout verse reminiscent of his performance on Asake’s sleeper hit MMS, gliding effortlessly with charm and subtle advice. His verse here significantly trumps his appearance on Kai, where he employs a tired, familiar flow. While underwhelming, his lacklustre contribution on Kai doesn’t dull the record’s appeal, thanks to its hypnotic, calm, steady rhythm, jazz horns, and triumphant sax riffs.
Olamide describes himself as Mr Romantic on Kai, embodying a confident and stylish lover with lines like, “I’m so fly, my God / African boy wey dey do magic.” This is in stark contrast to the vulnerable, emotionally exposed persona he channels on Luvaluvah, which samples Lauryn Hill’s Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.
On Duro, he’s heartbroken, loyal, and exhausted after giving his all but is still left behind. “I’m wasted… I don’t feel elevated… I feel unappreciated he sings, before pleading, I told you duro, I told you don’t go / I go hustle till I drop, give you everything you want and more” —delivered over rattles, shakers, and log drums.
Ruba finds him completely smitten, comparing himself to rubber as he bends to his woman’s aura. A fusion of Afrobeats and R&B, the song thrives on beautiful guitar strings and heartfelt lyrics, showcasing the depths of Olamide’s songwriting. He elevates this vulnerability further on Rain, assisted by Popcaan. “Shower me with love, and let it rain / After the drought, the earth needs the rain,” he sings from a place of longing.
With his partnership with global powerhouse EMPIRE and growing influence on the world stage, collaborations with the likes of Wizkid, Popcaan, and Dr. Dre are now just a phone call away. On Indika, he links up with the West Coast icon, who delivers a suave verse over a palm wine/highlife groove laced with jazzy horns and infectious guitar riffs. It’s a far cry from the lyrical bar-fest this writer expected from such a pairing, but it fits the album’s chill vibe.
That Hip-hop energy this writer expected from Indika comes through on 1 Shot, a punchy and bouncy Hip-hop anthem about seizing opportunity. Olamide stresses how rare life-changing moments are and the need to make them count. It’s this writer’s personal favourite on the album.
Elsewhere, 99, featuring the all-star cast of Seyi Vibez, Asake, Young Jonn, and Daecolm, is a free-spirited anthem for winners. It’s the type of record you play when you finally get paid.
To inject pace without breaking the album’s flow, Olamide deploys bangers like Special, a Lamba-driven freestyle over groovy mid-tempo production from Eeskeez and Semzi. Hybrid and Lalakipo deploy talking drums, log drums, and Fuji-inflected percussion. They are textbook Olamide records: streetwise, catchy, and resonant.
The album’s closer, Stronger, rides on a laid-back groove with tropical flair, pairing Olamide’s swagger and wit with Boj’s smooth delivery.
Olamide’s eleventh album is a celebration of his longevity and ability to constantly evolve to satisfy the demand of the soundscape. On this album, he taps into a more soulful, luxurious sound that reflects where he is in life. The album’s jazzy tones and measured tempo signal an artist who is more interested in delivering a tightly woven album that thrives on its curation, cohesion and ambience.
Fans yearning for the intensity that defined his earlier works may be disappointed, as the project lacks such kinetic energy and leans into mood and vibe. This writer also feels the Dr Dre feature was underutilised. While the record maintains the overall theme and tempo of the album, an explosive rap cut would have better served Nigerian hip-hop.
But he isn’t trying to prove anything anymore. If anything, the Dre feature is just to flex his muscles. On this album,
He’s simply telling us where he’s been, what he’s seen, and how good it feels to finally breathe. And in doing that, he delivers an album that reflects his luxury and grace with which he carries himself.
Just like Olamide has, this album will age like fine wine.
