Olamide Says “It’s Easier To Be A Music Executive Than An Artist”
In a recent fun interview with YouTuber Korty EO, veteran rapper and YBNL Nation boss Olamide made a statement that’s shaking up conversations in the Nigerian music world,
“It’s way much easier for me being a music executive than an artist because I’m an artist. I understand creatives”. As a seasoned artist turned label executive,
That comment carries profound weight, not just because of who said it, but also for what it says about the current state of creatives in Nigerian music.
According to the Afrobeats legend, living the executive life aligns more naturally with his strengths. This is because he already understands the highs and lows of being an artist. He said:
“I know the way we think, I know the way we see things. I know when we are in an element. I know when we want to run mad. I know when we are getting high on our supply. I know when we are getting high on the fame, life, money and success. So, it’s easier for me to deal with creatives. I try not to bite more than I can chew”.
Essentially, he feels managing artists is his second nature, and that is because he once was one.
From Bariga to the World
Olamide’s journey has always been purposeful. From the release of his debut album Rapsodi in 2011 to the domestic success with Carpe Diem in 2020 and Ikigai in 2023, he’s balanced talent with ambition.
But over time, he shifted focus, quietly elevating the careers of talents like Fireboy DML, Asake, Lil Kesh, Adekunle Gold, and more through YBNL Nation. When he decided to take a step back and let his signees shine, he wasn’t stepping away. Rather, he was stepping up.
Olamide’s success as both a chart-topping artist and the architect behind breakout stars sets him apart. He once admitted he nearly quit music to focus on songwriting, but discovered his calling lay beyond the mic.
Olamide may have once owned stages, but now he helps build them. For him, making music is still a calling, but emotions, expectations, and legacy are better handled from behind the scenes.
As he says: “You can’t box me and call me a rapper, I love music.” He’s now a patron of it, a teacher of it, and a vessel through which new voices find direction and success.
Another interesting part of his interview with Korty is his declaration of choosing broccoli over Amala. According to him, he’s not exactly a big fan of food. He admitted that he does enjoy eating African staples. However, he loves food like “coli, sea bass fish, lamb chops, and even caviar” more because he considers them light.
The release and success of his most recent album, Olamide is yet another proof of his artistic excellence, and his voice will always remain a powerful one in African music.
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