Why I fear for Olamide

Olamide is one Nigerian rapper you have to admire. He came into the game with an obvious business plan, he had spent time as a studio rat, seeing the likes of 9ice, Jahbless, Lord of Ajasa and others, rise and fall, so he knew the basics.

For starters, he knew he shouldn’t spend the whole of his career with ID Cabasa, so after his first album he left to set up YBNL. He also knows that consistency is key and like late Dagrin, he keeps churning out singles. Only one out of 5 cuts he drops becomes a hit (lesson for upcoming acts: don’t drop one song and expect a miracle).

Since his last album in November 2014, Olamide has dropped 6 songs, countless collaborations, a joint album with Phyno and none is yet to ‘blow’ in the real sense.

He also knew he needed to have a succession plan because the only thing that can make him strong and powerful when his career begins to take a back seat, it is the number of artistes he has groomed that’ll turn income his way (assuming they stay loyal to him).

But for the first time in a long while, I fear for Olamide. I’m not sure he thought this through properly. He doesn’t have a standard record label structure, he doesn’t have the funds, he’s not surrounded by the best A&R heads in the game. And the fact that he’s greatly loved on the streets is no guarantee there’s a fan base to sustain 5 new acts and their works.

YBNL picked up two Bariga-bred acts, Lil Kesh and Viktoh in April 2014 and in January 2015, the label signed Xino, Chinko Ekun and Adekunle Gold, all in a space of 9 months.

Of all his new acts, Lil Kesh seems to be the most promising, he also seems to be the one taking after Olamide in terms of traits and character. And that means he might not stay loyal to Olamide. Kid looks like he’ll soon be thinking of setting up an empire of his own as well.

In defence of his decision to sign several artistes, Olamide already dropped a line in one of the songs on 2 Kings, his joint album with Phyno on the track, ‘God Be With Us.’ He raps: ‘They say I sign too many artistes, I go soon bankrupt, f**k you and your thoughts, iya yin o le help. (Your mothers can’t help) God be with us and I know Jesus wept.’ 

Well, only time will tell what will happen but I doubt if Olamide himself can say my fear is totally unfoundedFacebook