Eclectic rapper, Olamide Adedeji’s (23 years old) rating on
the Nigerian music radar is flattering. Sequel to his current effort,
YBNL, was a chart-bursting debut, RapSoDi. Here is an interview with the
young star!
- Before professional music, have you tried something else?
-
Yes, the initial dream was being a football superstar. I used to play
football a lot back in the school and when I got to secondary school, my
attention shifted to basketball. It was all sports then, but I actually
gave that up because my passion for music was higher than any other
thing I was doing back then.
- It’s been said that you’re no longer with ID Cabasa, the man you praise in most of your raps. How true is this?
-
This is very funny. Anthony Nwakala is actually my manager, not that
I’m under his label. Coded Tunes is now a record label, but I’m not
signed under it, I’m just like their in-house artist, a family member of
the house. It’s not actually what people think and Olamide is not
signed under any record label right now.
- From ID Cabasa to Tony Payne, and you’ve also left the latter, from what we gathered. What really happened?
-
ID Cabasa is my producer and like my dad and godfather in the industry.
Tony Payne was just my manager at a time and there was nothing else I
had with her.
- After you left Tony Payne, Zara also left and Adol is the only one remaining. Why did you guys leave her?
- Really, I never knew. I only know that life is a change of direction even if you don’t plan it.
-
But it was alleged that you used to take exuberance to the stage. In
fact, sometimes overstaying your time when you get carried away by the
cheers from fans and that Tony Payne could no longer condone that…
-
Well, I don’t know anything about that. I just know that life is a
change of direction; sometimes you don’t even plan the change.
- You had collaboration with Wizkid. Are you still that bonded? Is he a friend you talk to every passing week?
-
We’re still good friends after the song we did together. But honestly
speaking, Wizkid and I are not that close; we are just colleagues and we
have this professional friendship that goes on. I won’t come here and
start flaunting him as my very good friend.
- What’s your motivation for the Azonto effort you made?
-
I just wanted to take my rap game to the next level because I don’t
want to be like everyday kind of rap artiste. I don’t want to rap and
get you bored. I make music that people can grove and flow with. My
interest is in making raps that blend well with all genres of music. I
know there’s no Nigerian artiste that has done Azonto rap and I dare to
be different. I’m looking forward to taking my game higher, like
breaking into the international market because I need my music to cross
borders. In the nearest future I wish to have my own record label and
start helping artistes.
- What kind of childhood did you have?
-
Ghetto gangster and rough man; there is nothing rosy about my childhood
at all. I grew up in Bariga and so far so good, it’s been rough and
tough on the streets. Sometimes, I still want to go back to the hood; I
miss that lifestyle. Being away from that ghetto gangster life, somehow,
I still miss some stuffs like the foul smell I got here and there from
my backyard. You can take a ghetto boy out of the hood but you cannot
take the hood out of him. When I’m rapping and speaking good English, I
won’t know when I say; ‘gbagbe osi’ and that’s typical me.
- Do you have a romantic relationship?
- I’m actually in one and it’s been on for twelve years now. She’s the main reason I’m here... and her name is music.
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