For over a decade, Olamide Adedeji, aka Baddo, has been a defining voice in Nigerian music. From his breakout album Rapsodi in 2011 to UY Scuti in 2021, Olamide has consistently shaped the sound of Afrobeats, indigenous rap, and African pop. Now, with the release of his self-titled 11th studio album Olamidé, fans and critics alike are asking: could this be the project that finally earns him a Grammy Award?
A Career That Built the Bridge
Olamide’s influence stretches far beyond hit singles. He’s been a voice for the streets, a gatekeeper for Yoruba rap, and the engine behind the success of some of Nigeria’s brightest stars through his YBNL label, including Fireboy DML, Lil Kesh, Adekunle Gold, and Asake. His dual identity as both hitmaker and mentor makes him one of the most respected figures in African music.
Despite his wide influence, a Grammy has so far eluded him, although he came close in 2023 with a nomination for Amapiano, his collaborative hit with Asake. That nod, however, placed him firmly on the Recording Academy’s radar.
Olamidé: A Statement of Maturity
Released on June 19, 2025, Olamidé is more than an album, it’s a personal declaration. Named after his birth name, which means “my wealth has arrived” in Yoruba, the 17-track project dives deep into themes of ambition, gratitude, spirituality, love, and street philosophy.
Tracks like Hasibunallah offer spiritual introspection, while Ruba and Luvaluvah explore softer emotions. The album also samples Lauryn Hill’s timeless Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You, showing his range and musical sensibilities.
High-profile collaborations add international flair:
- Kai! featuring Wizkid charted on both the U.S. Billboard Afrobeats Chart and the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart
- Indika with Dr. Dre sparked global buzz
- Appearances from Popcaan, Asake, Seyi Vibez, Boj, and Daecolm further round out a diverse guest list
On production, Olamide teamed up with elite Nigerian producers like P. Priime, Eskeez, and Semzi to deliver a sound that bridges Lagos street pop and international finesse.
Commercial & Critical Success
The reception to Olamidé has been explosive. Upon release, it became the first Nigerian album to occupy all top 10 positions on both Apple Music Nigeria and Spotify Nigeria simultaneously. It topped Apple Music UK’s Albums Chart, and marked Olamide’s highest-charting project in the U.S. to date.
Critics praised its maturity, clean production, and genre fusion. Still, some noted it lacked the narrative depth of Eyan Mayweather or Carpe Diem. Others flagged the absence of female collaborators in an increasingly inclusivity-driven industry.
Why Everyone’s Talking Grammy
The Grammy Awards remain one of music’s highest honors, and African artists have made significant strides in recent years. In 2024, the Best African Music Performance category was introduced, won by Tyla’s Water. This year, Tems took it home with Love Me JeJe.
Olamide’s Amapiano nomination in 2023 made him the first Nigerian rapper to achieve such recognition, a key milestone for street-influenced music on the global stage.
For Olamidé, the strongest Grammy prospects lie in:
- Best African Music Performance, with tracks like Billionaires Club and 99
- Best Global Music Album, where its genre fusion, cultural relevance, and sonic ambition match past winners like Burna Boy and Angelique Kidjo
What Makes Olamidé Grammy-Worthy
The album’s strength lies in its balance of local authenticity and global ambition. Collaborating with Dr. Dre and Popcaan while retaining Lagos street energy is no small feat. The result is an album that feels as comfortable in a jazz bar as it does on a street corner.
Beyond music, Olamide’s cultural footprint strengthens his case. Twice listed on Billboard’s Global Power Players, he remains the most followed African rapper across Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube. His legacy isn’t just in the charts, it’s in how he helped globalize Nigerian street pop.
What Could Stand in the Way
The road to the Grammys is rarely straightforward. Competition is fierce, Burna Boy, Wizkid, Tems, Ayra Starr, and Davido are all in contention. Grammy voters may also penalize the album’s lack of gender diversity. And as history has shown, industry politics and shifting trends often influence nominations as much as the music itself.
Final Verdict
So, can Olamidé win a Grammy? Absolutely, it’s a compelling, cohesive body of work that blends global appeal with local soul. Whether or not he takes home the trophy, the album stands as one of Olamide’s finest achievements.
More importantly, Olamide’s legacy is already secure. He’s not just chasing accolades; he’s shaping an entire genre. If Olamidé wins a Grammy, it will be a long-overdue recognition of a titan who never left the culture, he built it.
