Samuel James
Billboard has recognised Nigerian rap icon and YBNL label boss Olamide Gbenga Adedeji, fondly called Olamide, as one of the Global Power Players for 2025.
The prestigious honour recognises his leadership at YBNL Nation, the powerhouse label behind Nigerian superstars Asake and Fireboy DML, both of whom released critically acclaimed albums in 2024.
Asake’s third studio album, Lungu Boy, has been certified by TurnTable Charts as Nigeria’s biggest album of 2024, while Fireboy’s fourth album, Adedamola, has been praised as one of the year’s most outstanding projects.
The label achieved several milestones in 2024, including Asake’s sold-out concert at London’s O2 Arena, making him the third Nigerian artist after Davido and Wizkid to sell out the prestigious venue multiple times. Additionally, Asake’s track MMS from Lungu Boy earned a nomination for Best African Music Performance at the 67th Grammy Awards.
