What Makes Olamide One of Nigeria’s Finest Songwriters

[Olamide/Aswehiphop]
Written by Pharis Kinyua

Nigerian rapper Olamide is an impressive songwriter, as much as he is an artist. 

This is a huge reason why he founded Yahoo Boy No Laptop Nation, (YNBL) Label in 2012 and has signed renowned artists from Nigeria. To demonstrate how good of a songwriter he is, Olamide co-wrote Asake’s recently released sophomore album ‘Work of Art’.

He jointly wrote 10 of the 14 songs in the album with the Nigerian Amapiano singer. 
Besides Asake, Olamide fully wrote or co-wrote big songs for big artists in and out of Nigeria.

Among them is American Senegalese RnB singer Akon who he wrote for ‘Bottom’. Other popular songs he has written include ‘49-99’ by Tiwa Savage, ‘Cho Cho’ by Zlatan ft.

Mayorkun and Davido, ‘Injure Me’ by  Teni, ‘Owo Mi Da’ by  Tiwa Savage and ‘Palazzo’ by Spinall ft. Asake.
What makes him a specially gifted songwriter? His lyrics frequently express his societal comments, life in Nigeria, and personal experiences. Olamide's songwriting is distinguished by his deft wordplay, astute metaphors, and mastery of narrative structure.

His distinctive linguistic fusion of English and Yoruba appeals to a wide range of listeners. His songs are popular and approachable because they frequently combine street lingo, regional proverbs, and modern references.

Olamide's examination of the challenges and victories of everyday living, especially in urban locations, is a recurring theme in his music. He frequently discusses issues like destitution, hustle, tenacity, and the quest for prosperity.

 The ‘Infinity’ singer expresses the goals, aspirations, and struggles of young people and marginalized populations through his lyrics while also sharing his own life experiences.
His social commentary and apt address of societal issues makes his songs relatable across the age divide. Most of his lyrics tackle issues to do with political upheaval, inequality, and the need for social reform. 

Further, Olamide's songwriting also touches on party culture, romance, and relationships. He seamlessly transitions between moody, reflective songs and upbeat, danceable music. Due to this adaptability, he is able to sustain his success across a variety of musical genres and appeal to a broad audience.

Moreover, having YNBL Label gives him the drive to raise awareness of these concerns and to nudge listeners to give them some thought in his well-thought-out lyrics.

These skills make him one of the most respected songwriters Nigeria has had because the audience to all of the songs he has written resonate with utmost love and appreciation.
The ‘Motigbana’ hitmaker clearly illustrates his ability to traverse through compelling narratives dotted by cultural and societal allusions to make fiery hits.