Why His Self-Titled Album Proves Mastery in Afrobeats
At 36, Olamide breaks through the noise with Olamidé, his eleventh studio album, released 19 June 2025 via YBNL/Empire tiktok.com+15en.wikipedia.org+15persecondnews.com+15. Rather than chasing fleeting trends, he crafts songs steeped in purpose and deep knowing—showcasing why he remains a defining voice in Afrobeats.
Data shared by Top Charts Africa on Saturday revealed that all ten top spots on both streaming platforms are currently filled with songs from the YBNL boss’s new project.
The feat makes Olamide the only Nigerian artiste in 2025 so far to chart all tracks from an album in the Top 10 slots across both services simultaneously.
On Spotify, the lead track “Free” featuring Seyi Vibez and Muyeez holds the number one spot, followed by “Billionaires Club” featuring Wizkid and Darkoo. Other entries on the chart include “99” featuring Daecolm, Asake and Young Jonn; “Kai!” with Wizkid; “Hasibunallah”, “Duro”,
“Luvaluvah”, “Prelude” with Fxrtune, “Special”, and “Indika” featuring Dr. Dre and SPINALL.
Meanwhile, on Apple Music, the number one song is “Hybrid”, followed by “Billionaires Club”, “99”, “Ruba”, “Kai!”, “Hasibunallah”, “Luvaluvah”, “Duro”, “Indika”, and “Prelude”.
Opening with mood-setting tracks like Fxrtune and Hasibunallah, he shifts effortlessly between intimate healing and vibrant energy persecondnews.com+4deedsmag.com+4grammy.com+4. Standout single Kai! featuring Wizkid arrives on swagger, merging sharp production with dancefloor-ready spirit en.wikipedia.org+1en.wikipedia.org+1. Its follow-up, 99, is already making waves, uniting Olamide with Asake, Seyi Vibez, Young Jonn and Daecolm—an impressive lineup reaffirming his collaborative strength tiktok.com+15en.wikipedia.org+15deedsmag.com+15.
Critics instantly noticed Luvaluvah, which cleverly taps into Lauryn Hill’s Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, layering timeless melody over street-wise lyricism deedsmag.com+1grammy.com+1. This sample-driven innovation reflects Olamide’s dual mission: to honour musical heritage while pushing boundaries.
This fusion reflects a deliberate, thoughtful approach. As Native Magazine observes, Olamide prioritises quality over trend-chasing deedsmag.com. Deeds Magazine adds that street-pop ethos remains his anchor even amid star-studded line-ups deedsmag.com+1thenativemag.com+1.
Beyond his own work, Olamide’s longevity ties into nurturing new artists. Billboard listed him as a 2025 Global Power Player, recognising his leadership and influence in shaping Afrobeats’ future afapinen.wordpress.com+15afrobeatpulse.com+15en.wikipedia.org+15.
What keeps Olamide at the top? Neither novelty nor nostalgia alone. He combines disciplined craft, thoughtful guest features, and deep cultural resonance. Each track carries his signature balance: street credibility wrapped in polished production.
In an era dominated by youthful Afrobeats stars, Olamide still speaks with authority. His self-titled album is more than music—it’s a statement. Afrobeats may evolve, but Olamide has mastered how to grow with it, staying rooted while remaining unpredictable.
