I’m Not Better Than Dagrin - Olamide

Twenty-two-year-old
fuji/pop rapper,
Olamide Adedeji,
popularly known as
Olamide has no doubt
taken over the mantle
of leadership as far as
rap music is concerned
in Nigeria. Born on March 15, 1989, Olamide
never hesitates to promote his roots, Bariga,
Lagos, in his music. In 2010 he hit the limelight
when he dropped the lead single from his
debut album, Eni Duro, which transformed him
into an emerging voice on the Nigerian music
scene. Overnight, the final year student of
Mass Communication from Tai Solarin
University became the beautiful bride as he
was courted by established acts for collabos
before breaking away from his mentor, ID
Cabasa, and starting his own label, YBNL
Nation. One thing that sets this rapper apart
is his ability to code switch while on the mic as
he flips between Yoruba and English
effortlessly. Olamide has performed live on
big stages all over Nigeria and he is most
definitely a street favorite with the release of
his debut album, Rhapsodi and now, talk about
a third studio album, Baddest Guy Ever Liveth
is rife following the success of his sophomore
effort, YBNL. In this exclusive interview with
TAIWO OLUWADARE, Olamide bares his
mind on issues including the late Dagrin.
Excerpts: Could you tell us about yourself? My
name is Olamide Adedeji. I’m a native of
Abeokuta, Ogun State. I was born and bred in
Bariga, Lagos. I’m a student of Tai Solarin
University where I’m studying Mass
Communication. I’m from a family of seven.
How did you start out as rapper? I discovered
music was in me while growing up. In 2003 I
started writing my own lines and performing at
shows and the rest today is history. What was
growing up like? Growing up was not that rosy
neither was it that bad. Growing up in the
ghetto was quite challenging because you’re
looked down on by kids from upscale
neighbourhoods. In the ghetto I was given
ghetto orientation which is never to look down
on myself no matter what. Tell us about your
love life? I have nothing to say about that.
Late Dagrin seemed to have influenced you a
great deal. What does he mean to you? He’s
more like the late Martin Luther King. I call
him Barrack ‘O Grin. He is such a blessing to
Nigeria. He really paved the way big time for
up-and coming rappers like myself back in the
day. It’s not like there has not been other
people before him but his impact was awesome!
Dagrin is a great artiste and I respect him; he
is a legend. Lately you have become so big. How
are you filling the vacuum Dagrin left behind?
I don’t know. It is depend on people’s
perspective. I just live my life the way I feel
and besides, I’m not the only rapper in the
industry. There are others like Lord of Ajasa.
However I’m only doing my thing. Now people
are comparing me to Dagrin and that feels
great. I see it as a blessing from God. I can’t
say I’m the best rapper; that would be
ridiculous. It’s like saying Jay Z is the best
rapper. However, it’s not like Jay Z is better
than B.I.G but people see the love they have
for B.I.G in Jay Z. B.I.G died when he started
making money and people were heartbroken.
And Jay Z can never open his mouth and say
‘I’m better than B.I.G.’ The same thing applies
to me too. I can’t say I’m better than Dagrin.
How do you get inspiration for your music? I
discovered a long time ago that rap music is all
around me so I draw a lot of inspiration from
my environment. I just feel comfortable being
a rapper as opposed to singing. Seeing rap
icons like Dagrin and the love he had for the
art just overwhelms me. How do you handle
your female fans? (laughter)We dey try.
Behind every successful man there is a woman.
For me it’s not just about a woman but women
so I take advantage of it positively. I don’t
sleep with my female fans; I treat them like
my sisters. What’s been your happiest moment?
God has done many things for me. I can’t tell
which moment is the happiest but one I can
remember was the release of my first album,
Rhapsodi. I was so happy when it was released.
That album registered my name in the annals
of the history of rap music in Nigeria. What
was it like meeting I.D Cabasa? I met I.D
Cabasa when I went to record with a friend in
a studio. We met each other and struck the
right chords and the connection took off from
there. That’s how I ended up having his
support. And ever since, he’s been giving me
that special big brotherly love. What’s your
advice for up-and-coming artistes? My advice
is that they should put God first and do less
of unnecessary hard work. If not rap what
would you be doing? For now, I don’t see
myself leaving the rap world. I would rather be
running a rap music label. What is the meaning
of Ilefo Illuminati It is slang in my
neighbourhood in Bariga, Lagos. Ilefo simply
means swag. There is talk that you belong to
illuminati. How true is this? I have been
correcting that impression in all my interviews
and I’m not going to get tired of it. I only feel
I need to keep representing my own people and
communicating with them in a way that they
will understand me. So, I want to tell my
people that I don’t belong to illuminati or any
secret society. What has been your challenges?
Wow! It used to be an issue of finance. Right
now the major one we are facing is the issue of
piracy. And it’s crazy men! I feel it should stop
but I also know it can never be stopped! What
are your dreams? I want to be a global brand
that is why I’m looking up to God. It is not by
my power but by the grace of God. I feel
honoured and great that I’m one of the top
profile rappers in town.