There are artists and then, there are influencers of the culture. There is Mos Def and then, there is a Jay Z. There is Andre 3000 and then, there is Kanye West. Some are great, but some also create greatness.
Even when the people they put on don't quite attain the presumed level of greatness, enthusiasts can see the work done by the co-signer. But over the past nine years, legendary Nigerian rapper, Olamide has endorsed certain acts with his co-sign and other times, he's signed them.
Olamide and his label, YBNL have contributed to some of the biggest music careers in recent Nigerian history. While some have since left him in acrimony, most retain respect for him. When his 10th studio project, 999 EP was announced on February 9, 2020, Adekunle Gold and Fireboy, two artists he's helped announced the album on Twitter NG.
The album which has 9 tracks will feature Phyno, Rhatti, Show, Cheque, Jayboi, Sosa-E and Jackwillz. Incidentally, it will be Olamide's 10th studio album. Production is handled by Olamide, Cracker Mallo, Pheelz, Eskeez and ID Cabasa. The album is mixed and mastered by budding engineer, STG.
In 2010, Nigerian rap superstar, Olamide Adedeji also known as Olamide Badoo launched onto the the scene with his monster hit single, 'Eni Duro.' At the time, he was signed to ID Cabasa's record label, Coded Tunes Records alongside Seriki and Kayefi. Under the label, he released his first album, Rapsodi.
The terms of his exit were amicable. Olamide then branched out and founded his own record label, YBNL Nation (Y.B.N.L is an acronym for Yahoo Boy No Laptop, a tribute to how much money he makes) under which he released his subsequent albums.
999 EP drops at 9pm tonight - February 10, 2019. Pulse takes a trip down memory lane to highlight the top 10 acts that Olamide has aided through record deals or co-signs. Here are the top 10 artists Olamide has shined a spotlight on;
10) Xino
Mode of spotlight: Record deal?
Year of signing: 2015
Year of exit: October 2016.
Stint at the label: Underwhelming
Manner of exit: Controversial
Xino is definitely the most ineffectual YBNL signing. Signed almost at the same time as Chinko Ekun, the Plateau State-born artist released two singles, 'TTYL' and 'Nakam' on the label before exiting in acrimonious circumstances per 2016.
Upon his exit from the label, the singer gave an exclusive interview to Showtime where he took swipes at Olamide, "YBNL management and other labels in Nigeria need to adopt an entrepreneurial system that focuses on artiste development because there is zero fan base in Nigeria.
"Beyonce’s husband, Jayz, is an undisputed boss because he understands this concept and creates acts that last to create others too.
“I’m engaging in other money-making options, music is just an option and one that I love very much; I never asked to be signed on to YBNL, so I’m not bothered as much. But for the sake of those who dig my songs I’m coming with something soon, something cooking with Kiddominant is dropping soon.”
Nonetheless, he attempted some conciliation in 2017 by attempting to mend fences with the label and Olamide.
He wrote on his Instagram page that, "Mood, feeling like Baddo right now, I want to take this time out to apologize, first to @baddosneh for the rash things I said last year.
"I was bitter over how things took a turn, I guess I owe all of you an apology and I humbly ask that you guys overlook what I said and see me for who I really am, a happy, fun-loving and jonzing pretty boy. I also apologize to the whole YBNL team and take responsibility for my words.
I love @baddosneh as a big bro and how creative he has inspired me to want to be better. I guess I was really missing the crew; I love you guys. Thanks for not judging me and taking time out to read this. I want to get accolades and shit, but I want to get it with the people who were there for me."
9) Picazo Rhap
Mode of spotlight: Record deal?
Year of signing: November 2018
Year of exit: July 7, 2019
Stint at the YBNL: Promising, yet unimpressive
Manner of exit: Amicable
In November 2018, Picazo Rhap went from the Nigerian rapper creating viral freestyle videos on random beats to a social media sensation. One morning, his freestyle to smash hit, 'Able God' went viral on Twitter.
One reason for that were his bars, cadences and flows - crisp and impressive. Another reason was the supposed young 'cameraman' who pouted at camera like a - 'slay queen' at Silverbird Galleria's toilet in 2010 - throughout the duration of Picazo's freestyle. He got clowned on social media as the video waxed in viewership.
It was almost like he knew the video would go viral. Picazo was featured on the YBNL Mafia Family album and things changed. He got his own single and video, 'Macaroni.' But soon after the 'Lyta saga,' he also announced his exit from YBNL. He is now with Senior Boyz Records.
Word on the street - though unconfirmed - was that Picazo, Lyta and others were angry that Fireboy got an actual record contract and the spotlight.
8) Viktoh
Mode of spotlight: Record deal?
Year of signing: 2014
Year of exit: 2016
Stint at the YBNL: Promising, yet unimpressive
Manner of exit: Amicable
Edo State-born Nigerian rapper, Viktoh signed to YBNL in 2014 - around the same time as Lil Kesh.
Rumour has it that he introduced Lil Kesh to Olamide. Around the time of his signing, label boss, Olamide posted the following message of him on social media, "Kingbaddo Go shine boi ! @viktoh_ybnl."
While signed to the label, the rapper/singer with the unique style and technique released a strings of singles like the mildly successful hit, 'Skiibi Dat' to other singles like 'Say Dem Say,' 'All My Ladies,' and 'Mad Jam.'
When things didn't really work out for him, his exit was confirmed in a December 2016 report by NET alongside Adekunle Gold's and Chinko Ekun's. News of his exit had, however, been making the rounds since April.
To underline how amicable his exit was, he collaborated with Olamide on a 2018 single, 'P-Popping.'
7) Davolee Ileka
Mode of spotlight: Gentleman's agreement
Year of signing: 2016
Year of exit: Late 2018-Early 2019
Stint at the label: Underwhelming
Manner of exit: Mildly controversial
In November 2016, Olamide signed Davolee. This was after the exodus that involved Chinko Ekun, Lil Kesh, Viktoh and Adekunle Gold. The label needed some fresh blood and it duly got one.
His signing got announcements on Olamide's Facebook and Instagram pages with the message, “Artiste ‘Davolee’ new YBNL boy… new song… Festival Bar…Davolee Ileka."
Between 2016 and 2018 that he was assumed to be on the label, he released two genuinely impressive songs, 2017's B-Banks-produced 'Festival Bar' and 2018's 'Cirocing.' His talent was apparent was never apparent, but it was never truly backed up with any hits.
Signs of a divide were obvious after the signing of Picazo Rhap, Fireboy DML and Yomi Blaize to the label.
In November 2018, he told Naijaloaded TV that he never had a contract with YBNL.
The rapper's picture alongside those of Picazo and Blaize were used during the promo run for the label's December 2018 compilation album, YBNL Mafia Family, but he when the album dropped, his picture was off its art.
Also earlier in 2019, Pulse obtained unconfirmed and sterile reports that the rapper had signed to New Nation Muzik and had left YBNL.
Currently, he is listed as neither a current nor a former artist of YBNL on the label's Wikipedia page.
6) Lyta
Mode of spotlight: Record deal
Year of signing: 2018
Year of exit: May 2019
Stint at the label: Average
Manner of exit: Acrimonous
Singer, Lyta was discovered by Olamide while he was on the streets. During his stint with the label, he released the September 19, 2018 buzz singles, 'Self Made' and 'Time,' both featuring Olamide. He arrived at YBNL a little before Picazo, Yomi Blaize and Fireboy DML.
But after the rumblings of his YBNL exit from YBNL earlier in the year, he finally jumped on Naijaloaded TV to confirm the end of his mixed affiliation with YBNL. During the interview, he claimed that though he was paid between 50,000 and 80,000 for shows, he never had a written contract with the label.
He said, “I don’t have any deal with YBNL or Olamide. Olamide saw me on the street and helped me, I don’t have any written contract with him… YBNL and Olamide with always be part of my story. God bless Olamide, thank you for everything. No love lost.
"Yes, I was getting benefits. The used to pay me for shows. Sometimes 80k, 60k to 50k. But when I dropped my songs, ‘Temi’ and ‘Selfmade,’ I didn’t get anything.”
Olamide also responded and claimed that YBNL has a promotion calendar that Lyta was unwilling to follow. When other artists started getting their shine, the rapper claimed Lyta became unhappy. So, to avoid "bad energy" Olamide claims he unfollowed Lyta on Instagram.
5) Chinko Ekun
Mode of spotlight: Record deal
Year of signing: 2014
Year of exit: October 2016.
Stint at the label: Underwhelming
Manner of exit: Amicable
While still a Law Student at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, the rapper with the ridiculously hilarious Mandarin gimmick signed to YBNL.
But sadly, only Xino had a quieter stint at YBNL than Chinko Ekun. He had the name, but it was never really backed up for one reason or the other - presumably schooling and schedules.
His biggest act at the label was probably the Day In The Studio freestyle. When he left the label in 2016, he posted the following message to Olamide, "@baddosneh gave me a voice when nobody did and put me on . Come rain come shine I am forever grateful for impact in my life!"
Since his exit, he most notably released the mega-hit 'Able God' alongside Lil Kesh and Zlatan Ibile.
4) Fireboy
Mode of spotlight: Record deal
Year of signing: Joined November 2018, Record deal - January 2019
Year of exit:
Stint at the YBNL: Impressive (so far)
Manner of exit:
In 2018, Fireboy joined YBNL Nation as part of its third wave of artists alongside Lyta, Limerick, Picazo Rhap and Yomi Blaize. However, his signing was the most unheralded of his set. Asides Lyta, the other signees had some rep on social media as freestyle rappers.
In his personal journey, 2018 was also a turning point. On his own, he released singles like 'King' and 'Sing' alongside Oxlade. But then came December 2018, Olamide released a collaboration album with his signees. Again, nobody looked out for Fireboy till his song, 'Jealous' became the biggest on the album.
Since then, he has gone from strength to strength. His first solo album, Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps is one of the best-received ever in Nigerian pop. He is still the label and things look good. But then, we never know.
3) Adekunle Gold
Mode of spotlight: Record deal
Year of signing: Around April 2014
Year of exit: April 2016
Stint at the label: Excellent
Manner of exit: Amicable
In 2015, Nigerian contemporary folk and afro-pop act, Adekunle Gold signed to YBNL. While with the label, his singles, 'Sade,' 'Orente' and 'Pick Up' became mega-hits and resulted in 'Sade' winning Best Alternative Song at the Headies 2016.
In 2016, he left the label after releasing his debut album, Gold on July 28, 2016.
Upon his exit from the label, the singer said this of his stint, “YBNL moved me. I had Sade before YBNL and it was already getting popular. When I got signed to the label, we shot the video and it became like a sensation everywhere.
"Getting signed to YBNL took me to London for the first time. That was in 2015. So, YBNL changed everything for me. I am grateful to Olamide for all the support and inspiration.”
2) Lil Kesh
Mode of spotlight: Record deal
Year of signing: Around April 2014
Year of exit: April 2016
Stint at the label: Excellent
Manner of exit: Amicable
Ololade Keshinro was signed to YBNL around April 2014. To commemorate the signing, Olamide wrote on social media that, "Lil kesh @mynameiskesh …. Time bomb lomoyen .. E go soon blow."
He was right. Lil Kesh went on an almost peerless run between April 2014 and April 2016. By January 2016 when Lil Kesh lost the next rated award at the Headies to Reekado Banks, he truly had five back-to-back hits.
Some of those hits were, 'Lyrically,' 'Shoki,' 'Shoki (Remix'),' 'Gbese,' and 'Efejoku.' This made the loss to Reekado a particularly tough pill to swallow.
On April 26,2016, Lil Kesh released a statement confirming the expiration of his contract with YBNL. He also released one album with the label. 'YAGI' was released in March 2016, just before his exit from the label.
In late 2018, he collaborated with Olamide on the controversial single, 'Logo Benz.'
1) Pheelz
Mode of spotlight: Baddest Guy Ever Liveth
Year of spotlight: 2013
Stint with Olamde: Excellent
Phillip Kayode is not really an artist, but his case is peculiar. In 2013, Olamide released his album, Baddest Guy Ever Liveth and most of its songs were produced by the then-Pheelz Mr Producer. On the album, track three is titled 'Rep Adugbo' and it features Pheelz as an artist alongside Buckwyla.
ALSO READ: Top 10 producers of the decade (2010s)
Again, Pheelz is no artist but Olamide has been his vessel to success in Nigerian music - it all started with that moment.. For the 2010s, Pulse named him as second best producer of the decade.