The first thing that strikes me as I commence this interview is how down to earth my Interviewee is. Riding on the successful release of his debut album one would expect a certain amount of cockiness. Mr. Olamide displayed none of that; his humility was a breath of fresh air especially in an industry filled with over inflated Egos. It is always a pleasure to chat with Talent as there is nothing better than hearing it from the horse’s mouth.
Ladies and Gentlemen while it is a random day at the office I am glad to say there is nothing random about our guest. Hip Hop world Magazine chats with the man behind Eni Duro; New kid on the block OLAMIDE.
Q: Good afternoon Olamide
A: A very good afternoon to you
Q: First, congratulations on you’re the release of your debut album RapSoDi
A: Thank you very much
Q: Talking about your album, what have the reviews been like so far?
A: Everything has been on check, good responses; the album has been doing good on the streets and everywhere
Q: Asides from the video for Eni Duro, can we expect any more videos off the RapSoDi Album?
A: Yea in like two weeks I’m shooting the video for Omo Toh Shan with Wizkid and then after that the plan is to shoot a couple more videos from the album
Q: What were your expectations coming into the Nigerian music industry?
A: For me I wasn’t expecting something so spectacular, I just wanna make music and make myself happy cos that’s the only thing that gives me joy, that’s it.
Q: So in other words the Industry has lived up to your expectations?
A: Yes Mos’ Def
Q: You say ID CABASA is your mentor, how and why did you chose Cabasa seeing as he is a Producer and you are a Rap Artiste?
A: *Laughs* Well ID CABASA possesses the kind of lifestyle I really wanna live, the simple lifestyle easy going and all that
Q: Let’s get back to the music side of things, do you write your own lyrics?
A: Yes, not just my own Raps I write different genres, from RnB to Hiphop, Reggae and all that
Q: That means you’re a Songwriter too, do you write for other Artistes?
A: Yes I do, I’ve written stuff for a few upcoming artistes but it is still gonna take some time for a lot of people out there to believe Olamide is also a good songwriter
Q: What inspires you?
A: First is the Capital GOD, God is my source of inspiration me and then my environment, things I see around me and everything
Q: What’s your favourite track off your Album?
A: Wow! I’ve got loads of them, but I think it will have to be Track 1; I’M GOING IN. The song talks about what people expect from artistes after they make it big, but what I’m saying is I’m going in, to a place I’ve never been before, to a life I’ve never seen….Ma je ko wo Ori mi like don’t let them into my head that is basically what the song is all about
Q: You featured several artistes on RapSoDi. You had Adol, Wizkid, Cabasa, Lord of Ajasa, 9ice, TerrythaRapman in fact you had loads of features who was your best?
A: *Laughs wholeheartedly* They all did good; I can’t single out just one person. I liked everyone
Q: Is there any artiste you would love to work with that wasn’t on your Album?
A: Right now there is one person on my mind; I’m dying to work with TUFACE
Q: Are you working towards that anytime soon?
A: Well for now I’m still trying to promote my album RapSoDi, so maybe I’ll do that in my next project
Q: So what do you know about the Hip Hop World family?
A: I’m very familiar with it; I grew up reading the magazines, watching the TV program, the awards. I admire the way they re branded Hip Hop in Nigeria. The Hip Hop world Awards is a gift to Nigeria, believe me it is a blessing to Africa. It is not just an ordinary award; it has taken Nigeria to another level. Winning a Headie is a big deal; every award organizer wants to follow their footsteps.
Q: Is there any category in particular you would like to win at this year’s ceremony
A: It would have to be for Best Video, I would really love to win that category cos I went through a lot to make the video for Eni Duro I swear down. It took us four days I was really stressed out. I had to go get clothes from here and there. Dj Tee would call me up and say “see olamide these clothes no go reach us, e get this one and that one and e still get this thing wey u go need do”. I had to get about 40 different costumes we used 27 of them. It was hectic *Laughs*
Q: How about the NEXT RATED CATEGORY do you have any interest in that I hear it comes with a car?
A: *Laughs* aah Next Rated, almost every upcoming artiste that is doing good in the industry right now is looking forward to getting the Next Rated category, I would be glad if I win it, I would be so so so happy.
Q: How has the attention been so far and how do you manage your new found fame?
A: It has been fun; it has been cool at the same time it is taking me away from the everyday life I love living; like staying out on the streets, hanging out with my friends, going to eat in BUKAS. Right now I can’t go to BUKAS to eat cos even when I try it my friends will be like “Olamide kilonshe oya package what’s the meaning of this and all that”.
Q: Do you have a lot of privacy anymore?
A: Well privacy I get some privacy like when I’m not on tour or working in the studio I lock myself up in my room
Q: Do you still reside in Bariga?
A: Yes I do, fulltime
Q: Does Olamide hang out with his old friends, guys you knew before music?
A: I still try to but it’s hard cos the show thing is taking a lot of my time. I have to go to shows and they don’t do music also they have to face their own hustle while I do mine, but when I’m free I call them up and chill with them.
Q: A lot of people compare you to Dagrin why do you think that is?
A: I think it might be because I can flow well in Yoruba, if you remember when Dagrin started some people were like have you heard Dagrin he raps likes Ajasa. I think with time as people get to listen to my album they’ll understand this is Olamide and this is his style. No one can be like Dagrin he was one of the Greatest Artistes to come out of Nigeria. I am just trying to do my own thing my own way and with the message I try to pass across with my music people will start seeing me as me.
Q: Career wise where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: I always like to work with Faith. I knew Olamide was going to be good and I knew Olamide was gonna be big, but I didn’t think it would be this fast or this big. Right now I’m blinded by greatness. All I see now is greatness, and the things happening now were beyond my expectations. I am short of words cos what I see now is beyond my imagination. That’s all I can say for now.
Q: Is your family supportive of your career path?
A: In the beginning they weren’t too supportive but right now they are solidly behind me.
Q: How is school going?
A: School is on check I’m studying mass communications at the TAI SOLARIN College of Education
Q: Does music affect school?
A: No, not at all my program is part-time so I have adequate time for school
Q: You’re managed by Toni Payne, what is it like working with her?
A: It has been really great I feel blessed, cos for me all my dreams are coming through. I had dreams of working with Toni Payne, ID Cabasa and now here I am.
Q: What more should your fans expect from you?
A: A lot of shows, even bigger events than before and talking about that I’d like to thank Hip Hop World Awards cos I performed on their stage last year and now everyone wants me to be at their shows, they say things like he performed at Hip Hop world awards don’t price him anyhow. I am really grateful for that. So my fans should expect big things from me
Q: How has the Piracy problem affected your album sales?
A: The piracy thing is global and so it is hard to fight it, but any which ways body good, body no good body must go we will survive. I am not really relying on album sales I do a lot of shows and with endorsements I get by. I even heard some people got copies of my album and the last two or three tracks didn’t play well that’s piracy for you but the album is doing well online and selling on the streets notwithstanding.
Q: Any last words for your fans?
A: All I have to say is I love all my fans; they should keep supporting good music and showing me love. I hope they never get tired of their boy Olamide. If I make mistakes cos I am human they should please pardon me and continue supporting Olamide
Q: Thank you so much for stopping by
A: It was a pleasure, thank you for having me.
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