Spotify, the popular online streaming platform, recently declared Nigerian rapper, singer, and record executive Olamide Adedeji, widely recognized as “Olamide,” as the ‘most influential street pop artiste of his generation.
Spotify’s West Africa Editor, Benewaah Boateng, shared this recognition, highlighting the noteworthy ascent of the sub-genre “Street Pop” within Nigeria’s music landscape.
Boateng expressed, “Olamide is the most influential street pop artiste of his generation, consistently lauded for his role in propelling Street Pop to mainstream acknowledgment as a distinctive music genre.”
From his debut single, “Eni Duro,” Olamide has been a consistent cultural force, introducing popular dance styles like “Shakiti Bobo” and street lingos such as “Baddo Sneh” and “Pepper Dem.”
Through his record label YBNL, Olamide has played a pivotal role in discovering and nurturing Nigeria’s brightest street pop talents, contributing significantly to the genre’s growth.
Boateng emphasized the undeniable significance of Street Pop’s influence on the Nigerian music landscape in 2023, stating, “This is just the beginning of Street Pop going mainstream, and we cannot wait to see how it continues to grow.”
Street Pop, originating from a fusion of Afrobeats, Highlife, Hip-hop, Fuji, Apala, indigenous sounds, and contemporary elements, is characterized by an engaging rhythm, pulsating fast-paced beats, and lyrics reflecting the everyday lives of Nigerians navigating the challenges of the streets. Its profound connection to the harsh realities of everyday life in Nigeria remains a notable attribute of this music genre.