Nigerian rap icon Olamide has made it clear that his identity and roots are non-negotiable components of his music. In a recent interview on BBC Radio 1Xtra, he declared:
“I’m a Naija guy, Yoruba boy… and I’m proud about it.”
He went on to explain that he’s not chasing international acclaim at the cost of authenticity. Instead, Olamide emphasised that genuine connection with his core audience through language, culture and street-vibe lyricism will naturally open doors:
“You have to identify your audience. Once you identify your audience, the rest of the world will catch up eventually.”
He also stated:
“I’m comfortable in my skin…. No matter where I find myself, I have to stay true to who I am.”
With his solid fan-base and strong Nigerian identity, Olamide’s approach underlines the power of staying grounded rather than bending sound or accent to suit global markets.
