Olamide Gbenga Adedeji, also known as Olamide Baddo or just Baddo, is a Nigerian rapper, musician, songwriter, and music executive. He is well-known for pioneering indigenous rap music in Nigeria and establishing the influential YBNL Nation label, which has produced singers like Lil Kesh, Fireboy DML, Asake, and others.
Olamide, who specialises in indigenous rap (Yoruba), shot to prominence after the publication of his hugely successful debut studio album, Raspodi, in 2011. He followed it up with another outstanding album, YBNL, which included big singles such as Stupid Love, Voice Of The Street, and Ilefo Illuminati.
The gifted rapper, who raps in both Yoruba and English, is the founder and owner of YBNL Records, which has spawned other music artists such as Lil Kesh, Fireboy DML, Adekunle Gold, Lyta, Limerick, Temmie Ovwasa, Chinko Ekun, Yomi Blaze, Picazo, Asake, and Viktoh.
In 2011, he signed with ID Cabasa’s Coded Tunes and released his debut studio album Rapsodi. His follow-up album, YBNL, was published through his label imprint, “Yahoo Boy No Laptop,” popularly known as YBNL Nation. The album’s singles included “First of All,” “Voice of the Street,” “Stupid Love,” and “Ilefo Illuminati.” On November 7, 2013, he released his third studio album, Baddest Guy Ever Liveth. The album’s singles include “Durosoke” and “Yemi My Lover”. On July 17, 2013, Olamide became the first Nigerian to sign an endorsement agreement with Cîroc.
In November 2023, he won his first Grammy nomination for the song “Amapiano” with his signee Asake, marking him the first and only Nigerian/African rapper to be nominated in the award’s history. In 2025, Billboard magazine named Olamide one of its Global Power Players.
Olamide Biography
Olamidé Gbenga Adedeji was born in Bariga, Lagos State, on March 15, 1989. He is the second of three children born to Pa Adedeji and his second wife, Ronke Osisanya Adedeji. TemmyGold and Eniola Olamilekan (aka DJ Enimoney) are Olamide’s two siblings.
Olamide Career
Olamide’s career began in 2010, with the release of his debut single, “Eni Duro”. In the same year, he appeared at the Hip Hop World Awards. He studied public communication at Tai Solarin University before dropping out owing to financial difficulties.
He was signed to ID Cabasa’s Coded Tunes record label and managed by Toni Payne. In 2012, he quit Coded Tunes to launch his own record label, YBNL Nation.
Olamide released his debut album, Rapsodi, in 2011. Its main track, “Omo To Shan”, charted on various radio stations in Lagos and around Nigeria. Olamide’s debut album sparked collaborations with several artists, including Wizkid, ID Cabasa, 9ice, 2phat, Reminisce, and D’banj.
Adedeji’s second studio album, YBNL, was released in November 2012. Tyrone, Samklef, 2 Kriss, Pheelz, and ID Cabasa worked on the production. Guest appearances on the album include Davido, Tiwa Savage, Kayswitch, Dammy Krane, Reminisce, Samklef, Buckwylla, Minus 2, and Base One. It was accompanied by the singles “Ilefo Illuminati,” “First of All,” “Stupid Love,” and “Voice of the Street.”
Olamide’s third studio album is titled “Baddest Guy Ever Liveth”. It was released on November 7, 2013, by YBNL Nation. He recorded the album between 2012 and 2013 and featured guest appearances from Pheelz, Buckwyla, Ketchup, Ice Prince, Pepenazi, Endia, Viktoh, B.Banks, Phyno, Pele Pele, and Bez. Pheelz produced the entire album and plugged it, except for the thirteenth track, “Sitting on the Throne”.
Four singles backed Baddest Guy Ever Liveth: “Durosoke”, “Turn Up”, “Yemi My Lover”, and “Eleda Mi O”. Premium Times newspaper listed the album as one of the five Nigerian albums that have yet to be published in 2013. It was named 12th on Afrikka Radio’s selection of the greatest 12 Nigerian albums in 2013. Baddest Guy Ever Liveth earned Best Album of the Year at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards and received a nomination for Rap Album of the Year at the 2014 City People Entertainment Awards. It won Best Rap Album and Album of the Year at The Headies in 2014.
Olamide secured a record deal with DB Records, according to reports from May 2013. Olamide rushed to Twitter to refute the reports. In an interview with Toolz on NdaniTV’s The Juice, he stated that it was “too late” for anyone to sign him.
Olamide’s fourth album, Street OT was released on November 14, 2014, through YBNL Nation. The album is a follow-up to his 2013 album, Baddest Guy Ever Liveth. Street OT, which follows the songs “Story for the Gods” and “Goons Mi”, has guest performances from Pasuma, Lil Kesh, Chinko Ekun, Phyno, Don Jazzy, and Reminisce. It was produced by Pheelz, B-Banks, and Young Jonn. The album’s title is intended to exalt and demonstrate Olamide’s love for the “streets,” a word with which he is identified.
Olamide and Phyno teamed up on the 2015 album 2 Kings. It was launched on Cloud 9 and the iTunes Store on April 1, 2015, with a small statement from Penthauze Music and YBNL Nation. Collaborations and guest artists on the album include Wizkid, Lil Kesh, Storm Rex, Pheelz, Major Bangz, B.Banks, and Young John. Olamide and Phyno frequently collaborated on tracks before recording the album, including “Ghost Mode” and “Dope Money”. The singles “Une” and “Confam Ni” were released in the months preceding the album’s release.
Olamide’s fifth studio album, Eyan Mayweather, was released on November 23, 2015. Eyan Mayweather, released under YBNL Nation, has studio production by Pheelz, Young Jonn, B Banks, and ID Cabasa. It is the follow-up to Olamide and Phyno’s joint album 2 Kings. The album contained 21 tracks and no single feature. Olamide’s sixth studio album, The Glory, was released on December 23, 2016.
It was released under YBNL Nation, with studio production by Pheelz. The album has 16 back-to-back tracks featuring musicians such as Phyno, Wande Coal, Burna Boy, Akuchi, and Davolee. The Glory is the successor to Eyan Mayweather. Olamide announced to the world on February 18, 2020, that his record label, YBNL Nation, had struck a joint venture agreement with the multinational distribution business Empire.
He went on to say that Fireboy DML and any new artist signed to YBNL Nation would also benefit from the partnership. Olamide’s eleventh album, Carpe Diem, was released on October 8, 2020. Carpe Diem has 12 tracks and features Omah Lay, Fireboy DML, Peruzzi, Bad Boy Timz, Bella Shmurda, and Phyno, with production credits going to Young John, Pheelz, P.Priime, ID Cabasa, and VStix.
Olamide stated in March 2021 that he had finished working on another album. On April 18, he revealed the album UY Scuti, which will be published on June 18. Olamide stated that his son was the inspiration behind the album’s title, UY Scuti. Olamide hinted at his retirement on February 5, 2022, following the release of his 12th studio album.
Olamide released his tenth studio album, Unruly, on August 9, 2023. The CD includes African artists like as CKay, Asake, Bnxn, Rema, and Fireboy DML. Olamide stated on June 26, 2024, that he has finished work on a seven-track project called Ikigai. The following day, he released “Project Ikigai”, which features collaborations with former and present musicians signed to the YBNL record label, such as Fireboy DML, Asake, Young John, Pheelz, and Lil Kesh. On June 18, 2025, Olamide released the album Olamidé.
Discography
Studio albums
- Rapsodi (2011)
- YBNL (2012)
- Baddest Guy Ever Liveth (2013)
- Street OT (2014)
- Eyan Mayweather (2015)
- The Glory (2016)
- Lagos Nawa (2017)
- Carpe Diem (2020)
- UY Scuti (2021)
- Unruly (2023)
- Olamidé (2025)
Collaborative albums
- 2 Kings (with Phyno) (2015)
- YBNL Mafia Family (2018)
EPs
Personal Life
Adedeji is married to Adebukunmi Aisha Suleiman. They have three children: two sons, Batifeori Maximilliano Adedeji and Tunrepin Myles Adedeji, and one daughter, Mowaririfunoluwa Celine Adedeji. Olamide allegedly had a love child with Maria Okanrende, who used to work at The Beat 99.9 FM.
Olamide Net Worth
Olamide, the Eni Duro crooner, has progressed from one of the country’s top music stars to one of its most notable music executives. Aside from his music career, he profits handsomely from his ownership in YBNL Records. Thus, Olamide’s net worth is believed to be between $15 million and $20 million.
Social Media
Instagram: @olamide
