Olamide Gbenga Adedeji a.k.a Baddo is a 32 year-old Nigerian street rapper. He has a record label of immense reputation and arguably the best in Nigeria’s music industry.
The gbedu loner who loves staying under the radar and unlike most of his colleagues in the industry living extravagantly he avoids the limelight.
Olamide had said before the pandemic lock down he had cut down on his public performances buttressing the fact that he is an introvert.
Although Olamide may not be extravagant but his music and achievement in the industry for over 10 years had been extra-energetic and wonderful.
Olamide and his label, YBNL have contributed to some of the biggest music careers in the industry. While some have since left him in acrimony, most retain respect for him.
With the likes of Lil Kesh, Adekunle Gold, Chinko Ekun, and many more who have gone on to taste fame through the ever helping Olamide, who sees the need to help establish talents where they belong.
Fireboy one of his recent label members had labeled him a living legend for his selfless acts, passion and generosity. He made this known in an interview after he had as a member of ‘YBNL’ accompanied his boss to strike the deal with US based music company, Empire.
In 2020 he signed a deal with US-based music company Empire to take what he has done to new global levels.
Nigerian recording artists Olamide (front, far right) and Fireboy DML (back, second from right) with Empire CEO Ghazi Shami (center) and members of the YBNL/Empire team at Empire’s headquarters in San Francisco.
When asked Olamide revealed he started his label so early because according to him there was no door and saw the need for one so he decided to set up his own building and doors. He narrated that after a few gig early in his career he had saved some money and build something tangible instead of being lavish with the little he got. “Let me grind now and and smile later”, the quiet musician said.
He mentioned people his label signed over the years. He mentioned Adekunle Gold, Fireboy, Chink Ekun, Viktoh, Lil Kesh.
“I love music, I also love to see people that can actually do music very well being heard” he said.
He revealed that the reason he was successful in bringing up unknown artiste and making them stars was due to the fact that he paints lots of pictures in his head and could see beyond their raw forms.
He went on to say, “It’s very difficult to make some people see the potential that they’ve got sometimes. Every now and then I battle with that though … I battle with trying to convince most of these guys to see lot more in themselves like I could.”
“When I’m in my CEO mode, like I don’t joke man. And they know, like business is business, we have to get it right. It’s either we go all in or don’t do it at all, you hear me? People might not really know how business-minded Olamide is. Because I don’t really talk too much.” he said when he was asked if there was a difference between his business and artiste personality.
Speaking on deal he co-signed with music company, Empire revealed the offer for the deal was right, He said ”The offer was right and it’s the type of deal that gives YBNL [Olamide’s record label] the room to also coexist without losing our identity. It’s a joint venture, so it’s not just Empire owning YBNL or owning Olamide’s brand and all that. So, it’s like we are coming together as different entities as one.
“What’s key for me is pushing my brand to the extreme and getting the paper [money] right. So, anything else that comes after that is extra. If I see any opportunity to push my brand to the extreme, I would definitely do that, and (any) opportunity to make more paper, I will definitely do that. But blow my trumpet? Nah, that’s not me.
It’s business and there’s something called healthy competition and all that — but my only competition in life is the man I was yesterday. So, I don’t really bother (myself) about who I’m better than, or who’s better than me. I’m more bothered about if I can be way better than I was yesterday. That’s the most important thing for me. Olamide said.
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