Olamide On the 15 th of March 1989 aStar was born to the Adedejifamily. He was named Olamidewhich literarily means “Wealth has come”. No doubt that name was given to the 22 year old more in hope than certainty, well ladies and gentlemen the prophecy has come to pass. A year and some into his professional music career, Olamide has become a household name and just in case you don’t know who he is I suggest you google ENI DURO. ENI DURO; the breakout single from his Debut Album has become an anthem for the streets, clubs, lecture halls and conference room. Armed with only his pen and paper, the 300 level mass communication part time student of Tai Solarin University has released what is without a doubt an outstanding debut album. Titled RapSoDi Olamide’s 1 st offering is a 16 tracker. Sometime in 2000, Olamide decided he would like to pursue a career in music. When asked why music the Fast rising Rap Artiste says “I found out I was gifted in it so I had to explore it, it’s mylife, my hustle, my world”. In 2010 fresh faced Olamide performed on arguably the biggest stage in the NigerianMusic scene; “The Hip Hop World Awards”. Olamide’s road to fame is one for the history books, this time one year ago he was a regular kid growing up in the Heart of Lagos Mainland; Bariga. Even though Olamide insists he is still that Bariga boy a lot haschanged in his life. Today heis Olamide a Recording Artiste signed onto ID CABASA’s CODED TUNEZ Record label and managed byIndustry heavy weight Toni Payne. Make no mistake his celebrity status was not handed to him on a silver platter, an immense amount of hard work and pure unbridled talent is responsible for the man we see today. The un-assuming Olamide has performed at almost every major event in Lagos this year and continues to headline shows left right andcenter. What is it about Olamide that has made him a fans’ favourite? Olamide raps in a unique blend of Yoruba and English with lyrics that will leave the listener both speechless andintrigued. Olamide’s dexterity is one of the many things that endear him to hisfans. One minute he is delivering his rap in fluent English and the next he switches effortlessly into Yoruba. Ambitious Olamide will tell youhe is still on his way there and if given a chance would fancy collaborations with International Superstars; Jay-Z, Ludacris, Drake, and Lil’ Wayne. Where Olamide is silent his songs speak for him, Eni Duro, Apa ti jabo and Omo toh shan (featuring Wizkid) are currently on heavy rotation in several Radio stations and Music TV channels within and outside Nigeria. His Debut Album sees a bevy of Nigerian hip hop artistes making guest appearances, some of which are; ID CABASA, LORD OF AJASA, 9ICE, REMINICE, WIZKID, TERRY THA RAPMAN and management mate ADOL. Focused entirely on his chosen career path when asked for his other interestsasides music Olamide replied “Music is all I know and all I do”. The Rapper comes complete with a mission statement “I am here to preach realness generally and make the youths believe in whatever they do and what little they have because with God everything is possible”. In an industry filled with Artistes spitting in American accents whether real or imagined it is a relief to haveat least one artiste we can call 100% Naija. Olamide is the new face of Nigerian Hip Hop; Young, Talented, Dedicated, True to his Callingand he is set for bigger and better things. Olamide’s Debut Album RapSoDi is available in stores and even on street corners; there is absolutely no reason why you should not boast of a copy in your music collection. As Olamide says on Track one of his Album “I’m Going in” I suggest we all go in. Asides his debut album you can also listen to Olamide’s verse on Samklef’s Mi Ole Beru, amazing stuff. Remember “Olamide is here just like the 1 st day of the year” and if that didn’t do it for you then I’ll leave you with this line “Like Java I’ve got game I’m from the projectand I’ve got fame tell me whythe eff I gats go dey fill form for MTN project fame” lately has has had mad collabo with alot of nigerian big names