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Olamide enters the Billboard World Albums Chart History record, joining Fela as the second Nigerian artist with the No. 1 Album.
Nigerian rapper Olamide has achieved a groundbreaking record on the Billboard charts, becoming only the second Nigerian artist, after the legendary Fela Kuti, to do so. The YBNL frontman has joined Fela Kuti as the only Nigerian artist with this Billboard Charts record following the release of his latest project, “Ikigai.”
With the release and worldwide acceptance of “Ikigai,” Olamide, also known as Badoo, has continued to break and reset records in the Nigerian music industry. “Ikigai” debuted at number 13 on the Billboard World Albums chart, making it Olamide’s seventh project to appear on the chart.
This milestone sees Olamide joining the legendary Afrobeat icon Fela Anikulapo Kuti, who has nine entries, as the Nigerian artist with the highest number of entries on the Billboard World Albums chart.
Fans had eagerly anticipated the return of the sensational and multiple award-winning rapper, who was recently named on the 2023 International Power Players List by Billboard. From all indications, Olamide has not disappointed with Ikigai.
The YBNL boss has teased numerous exciting plans for 2024, including the highly anticipated Olamide World Tour, which he has confirmed will take place next year.
🚨BREAKING: @Olamide’s “Ikigai” debuts at #13 on the Billboard World Albums chart.
— It is his 7th Project to debut on the chart. Only Fela Kuti has had more appear on the chart (9). 👏🏽🐐 pic.twitter.com/14K7MUmH8g
— 𝗔𝗟𝗕𝗨𝗠 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗦 📀 (@AlbumTalksHQ) July 9, 2024
Recall, Olamide made headlines with his surprise EP ‘Ikigai,’ which achieved a record-breaking feat as the most streamed album in a single week on Spotify Nigeria in 2024. Released on June 27, 2024, the EP amassed an impressive 7.92 million streams during its opening week, surpassing Shallipopi’s ‘Shakespopi‘ which garnered 5.7 million streams.
Known as one of Nigeria’s top modern artists, Olamide’s ‘Ikigai’ reaffirms his position as the most streamed African rapper on Spotify. The EP features collaborations with YBNL stars Fireboy and Asake on ‘Uptown Disco,’ and reunites him with former YBNL associates Pheelz, Young Jonn, and Lil Kesh on ‘Synchro System.’