Olamide Gbenga Adedeji, famously known as Olamide or Olamide Badoo, has established himself as a formidable force in the Nigerian music industry. The “King of the Streets” has not only solidified his own career but has also been a guiding force for numerous budding talents. From his breakthrough hit “Eni Duro” in 2010 to the establishment of his record label “Yahoo Boy No Laptop (YBNL),” Olamide has significantly impacted the industry.
With over ten studio albums and a string of successful collaborations, Olamide’s influence goes beyond his solo career. He has played a pivotal role in bringing new talents to the forefront, shaping the Nigerian music landscape. In this article, we delve into the top five artistes whom Olamide propelled to stardom.
- Adekunle Gold
Adekunle Gold, now known as ‘AG Baby,’ found early success under Olamide’s wings when he joined YBNL in 2015. Releasing hits like ‘Sade,’ ‘Orente,’ and ‘Pick-Up,’ Adekunle Gold’s distinctive sound resonated with fans. Despite parting ways with YBNL after his debut album ‘Gold’ in 2016, Adekunle Gold remains grateful to Olamide, acknowledging the label’s role in elevating his career.
- Fireboy DML
Fireboy DML entered the YBNL Nation in 2018 alongside other talents. His signing was marked by a more understated introduction compared to his labelmates. With a calm persona in contrast to the rap-centric signings, Fireboy gained widespread recognition with his “Jealous” album. His international collaborations, including a feature with Ed Sheeran on “Peru,” further solidified his status as one of Nigeria’s rising stars.
- Asake
Ahmed Ololade Asake, popularly known as Asake, owes his quick ascent to fame to Olamide. In a tweet, Asake revealed that Olamide’s influence changed his fortune, leading to his signing with YBNL. Within just six months, Asake released his debut album “Mr Money With The Vibe” and multiple hit singles, proving the impact of the YBNL mentorship.
- Portable
While not formally under Olamide’s label, the street artiste Portable gained widespread recognition after collaborating with Olamide on the remix of “Zazuu Zeh.” The song became a massive hit, propelling Portable into the spotlight. Olamide’s involvement and endorsement played a significant role in the success of both the track and the artist.
- Lil Kesh
Lil Kesh, formerly signed under YBNL, rose to fame with the release of “Shoki” in 2014. Introduced to Olamide by his friend Viktoh, Lil Kesh’s fan base expanded significantly after Olamide secured a feature with Davido for the “Shoki” remix. The young artist went on to release several chart-topping singles before establishing his own record label, “YAGI” (Young And Getting It).
