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Olamide Baddo speaks on being an influential artist and business executive
Iconic Nigerian musician and YBNL boss Olamide recently sat down with content creator and producer Korty EO, where he opened up about his musical identity, creative journey, and running one of the country’s most influential record labels.
While Olamide is often recognized as a rap trailblazer, he made it clear that his artistry goes far beyond the hip-hop tag.
“I fell in love with music. You can’t box me and call me a rapper or tell me ‘this is what Olamide is into.’ I love music, and you’re not going to tell me when to make XYZ sound.”
This refusal to be pigeonholed reflects Olamide’s dynamic career, which spans over 15 years. Known for fusing street rap with elements of Afrobeats, Fuji, and pop, Olamide has consistently pushed the boundaries of genre. His recently released self-titled album, Olamide, continues this trend, showcasing his versatility with an array of infectious Pop-driven tracks.
In the conversation, the rap icon also discussed the tension between creativity and business, especially as someone who has found immense success as both a performer and label executive.
“Sometimes, being too business-minded can limit creativity because you start to think about whether some things will work once the idea comes to your head instead of just doing it.”
Despite this, Olamide noted that having a business mindset is essential, but striking a balance is key.
Beyond his hits, Olamide’s impact is deeply felt through the success of artists signed to his YBNL label, most notably Asake, whose rise has been powered in part by Olamide’s songwriting and mentorship. Olamide revealed he actually prefers crafting songs behind the scenes over performing them on stage.
With a legacy cemented by multiple albums, industry-shaping collaborations, and a reputation as one of Nigeria’s most influential music moguls, Olamide attributes his success to a mix of relentless work and divine grace.