Renowned Nigerian rapper Olamide has declared his commitment to staying true to his indigenous sound, stating he feels no desperation for international validation.
In an interview with BBC Radio 1Xtra, the “Local Rapper” star emphasized that his strategy hinges on identifying his core audience first, trusting that global appeal will follow authenticity.
“You have to identify your audience. Once you identify your audience, the rest of the world will catch up eventually. So, I have to stay true to myself and no mater where it is, what it is, I mean, in this world, I have to stay true to myself.
“I’m comfortable in my skin. I’m a Naija guy, Yoruba boy, I have H-Factor and all that, and I’m proud about it. You just have to stay true to yourself,” he said.
Olamide has been instrumental in nurturing a new generation of Nigerian artists through his record label, YBNL Nation, which has produced stars like Fireboy DML, Asake, and Adekunle Gold.
Over the years, he has maintained his reputation as one of Nigeria’s most consistent performers, earning accolades for his ability to connect deeply with local audiences while still commanding international recognition on his own terms.
In an interview with BBC Radio 1Xtra, the “Local Rapper” star emphasized that his strategy hinges on identifying his core audience first, trusting that global appeal will follow authenticity.
“You have to identify your audience. Once you identify your audience, the rest of the world will catch up eventually. So, I have to stay true to myself and no mater where it is, what it is, I mean, in this world, I have to stay true to myself.
“I’m comfortable in my skin. I’m a Naija guy, Yoruba boy, I have H-Factor and all that, and I’m proud about it. You just have to stay true to yourself,” he said.
Olamide has been instrumental in nurturing a new generation of Nigerian artists through his record label, YBNL Nation, which has produced stars like Fireboy DML, Asake, and Adekunle Gold.
Over the years, he has maintained his reputation as one of Nigeria’s most consistent performers, earning accolades for his ability to connect deeply with local audiences while still commanding international recognition on his own terms.

