Spotify, the renowned online streaming platform, has lauded Nigerian rapper, singer, and record executive Olamide Adedeji, famously known as “Olamide,” as the most influential street pop artist of his generation. Benewaah Boateng, Spotify’s Editor for West Africa, revealed this exciting recognition in a statement issued on Thursday in Lagos.
Boateng underscored the impressive ascent of the sub-genre “Street Pop” within Nigeria’s music landscape, marking its gradual progression into mainstream music. She hailed Olamide’s remarkable contribution to this rise, stressing his pivotal role in elevating Street Pop to widespread recognition as a distinct music genre.
“Olamide is the most influential street pop artiste of his generation, consistently praised for his role in elevating Street Pop to mainstream recognition as a distinct music genre.
“Since the debut of his hit single, “Eni Duro,” he has been a constant cultural force, popularising dance styles like “Shakiti Bobo” and street lingos such as “Baddo Sneh” and “Pepper Dem”.
“Through his record label YBNL, Olamide has also played a pivotal role in discovering and nurturing Nigeria’s brightest street pop talents.
“The influence of Street Pop on the Nigerian music landscape in 2023 is clearly and undeniably significant.
“This is just the beginning of Street Pop going mainstream and we cannot wait to see how it continues to grow,” she said.
Boateng commended Olamide’s record label, YBNL, for its instrumental role in discovering and nurturing Nigeria’s brightest street pop talents, affirming the profound impact of Street Pop on the country’s music scene in 2023.
She further outlined the defining characteristics of Street Pop, describing its fusion of Afrobeats, Highlife, Hip-hop, Fuji, Apala, indigenous sounds, and contemporary elements. Boateng emphasized its engaging rhythm, fast-paced beats, and lyrics that mirror the everyday realities faced by Nigerians navigating the challenges of the streets.
Olamide secured the ninth spot in Nigeria’s top 10 artistes list, with his recent project “Unruly” receiving widespread acclaim. Boateng highlighted the track “Gaza” from the album, which resonated exceptionally well with audiences, praising its appeal and musical craftsmanship.
Moreover, Boateng spotlighted rising talents in the Street Pop scene, including Seyi Vibez and Zinoleesky, attributing their successes to their distinct contributions and resonance within the genre. She highlighted Seyi Vibez’s significant accomplishments, from selling out concerts to securing features on hit songs, emphasizing his ability to captivate diverse audiences.
Boateng underscored Zinoleesky’s impactful storytelling and melodic prowess, recognizing his contributions that landed him among the top 15 most streamed artistes in Nigeria. She concluded by forecasting the exponential growth of Street Pop, envisioning it as the next global musical phenomenon akin to Afrobeats.
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