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The Kingmaker’s Start: How Olamide Built an Empire from the Streets of Bariga

By Oluwa Extone



​👑 The Kingmaker’s Start: How Olamide Built an Empire from the Streets of Bariga

​Olamide Adedeji, widely known as Olamide Baddo or simply BaddoSneh, is more than just a rapper—he is a generational icon and a mogul who fundamentally changed the sound of Nigerian music. Unlike many of his peers, his path was paved not by privilege, but by sheer dedication, street-savvy lyrics, and an unwavering commitment to his Yoruba heritage.

​This is the inspiring story of how a young man from Bariga, Lagos, started his musical journey and built the powerful YBNL Nation empire.

​The Early Hustle: Dropping Out to Find His Voice

​Born and raised in the bustling, complex environment of Bariga, Lagos State, Olamide's music was shaped by the experiences of the "streets." He knew he was gifted and, driven by a desire to uplift his family and community, decided in the early 2000s that music was his life's hustle.

  • ​Financial Struggle: Olamide briefly studied Mass Communication at Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), but his education was cut short due to financial difficulties. This difficult moment was a pivot, focusing his entire energy on music.
  • ​The Street’s Poet: His early passion was rooted in using his native Yoruba language to tell stories, a bold choice in a mainstream Nigerian industry that was heavily leaning on English and Pidgin. This authentic voice was his first differentiator.

​The Breakthrough: “Eni Duro” and Coded Tunes

​The year 2010 marked the official launch of Olamide's career, and it was explosive.

  • ​The Debut Single: Olamide dropped his debut single, "Eni Duro," under the mentorship of legendary producer ID Cabasa and his label, Coded Tunes. The track was an immediate, nationwide sensation. It was raw, aggressive, and undeniably talented, showcasing his poetic skills and lyrical agility.
  • ​Instant Recognition: The success of "Eni Duro" earned him a high-profile performance at the Hip Hop World Awards (now The Headies) that same year, catapulting him from a struggling artist to a recognized star almost overnight.
  • ​The Debut Album: He followed up quickly in 2011 with his debut studio album, Rapsodi. The album, featuring the hit single "Omo To Shan," confirmed his staying power and led to collaborations with industry giants like Wizkid, 9ice, and D'banj.

​The Entrepreneur: The Birth of YBNL Nation

​While signed to Coded Tunes, Olamide quickly realized he needed more creative and commercial control over his career. In a decisive move that cemented his legacy as an entrepreneur, he parted ways and founded his own label in 2012.

  • ​YBNL Nation: The label, YBNL Nation (Yahoo Boy No Laptop), was born. The name itself was a statement—a declaration that one could achieve immense wealth through hard work, talent, and creativity, not through illicit means.
  • ​Second Album, New Era: That same year, he dropped his second album, YBNL, under his new imprint. Supported by massive hits like "First of All" and "Voice of the Street," this album was a defiant success and proved that Olamide was fully in charge of his destiny.

​Olamide's decision to go independent so early was revolutionary. It not only gave him complete artistic freedom but, more importantly, created the platform from which he would eventually launch the careers of an entire generation of stars, including Lil Kesh, Adekunle Gold, Fireboy DML, and most recently, Asake.

​Olamide Baddo didn't just start a music career; he started a movement and built a ladder for the streets to climb to the global stage.

​What is your favorite Olamide throwback song that truly captures the raw energy of his early career? Share it in the comments!


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