In 2022, when Olamide tweeted that his upcoming album Unruly might very well be his last, it sent shockwaves through the scene.
The idea of one of Nigeria’s most gifted and influential artists stepping away from music was almost laughable to some, while others—myself included—couldn’t fathom a world where Olamide wasn’t blessing our speakers with his raw energy and untouchable flow. It felt impossible, and to be honest, I didn’t buy it.
How could an artist whose every verse felt like a declaration of dominance truly walk away at the peak of his creative powers?
Yet, life goes on. Unruly came with hits and dance-floor-ready songs. He followed up with Ikigai—an EP that was heavily influenced by Arabian sounds—and even though fans were still reeling from the “last album” declaration, it became clear that the YBNL boss wasn’t quite finished with the game.
But as much as he’s kept us on our toes with his releases, the year 2024 has proven one thing above all: Olamide is an artist who doesn’t play by conventional rules. He is always putting out his music with calculated moves, and building his legacy in ways that only he knows how.
His 2024 feature run, in particular, has been nothing short of masterful. He effortlessly navigates across genres, elevates every track he touches, and reminds us that he’s still one of the hardest hitters in the game.
So, as the year inches to a close, we take a look at five standout moments—five tracks—that cement why 2024 will forever be remembered as the year Olamide dominated the feature game.
“Order” – Shallipopi & Olamide
Shallipopi’s meteoric rise in Afropop has been one of the year’s most exciting stories. Pairing him with Olamide—Nigeria’s undisputed king of street pop—on “Order” is like watching royalty pass the crown while keeping the throne.
The track’s frenetic pace mirrors Shallipopi’s style: brash, unrelenting, and unapologetically street. But it’s Olamide’s verse that transforms the song into a certified banger. Effortlessly matching the tempo, he spits lines with surgical precision, injecting his signature swagger into the beat.
“When I go in, I go hard, I go crazy, I go mad/ I conveniently, I confam,” he raps, delivering a fiery verse. It’s Olamide at his peak: confident, relentless, and still proving why his voice defines the streets.
Wahala” – Ckay ft Olamide
On “Wahala,” CKay creates a world steeped in sensuality and yearning, blending a Spanish guitar intro with a mid-tempo dancehall groove. It’s a soundscape that invites intimacy, and Olamide steps in to elevate it.
His delivery is understated yet impactful, with soft rap flows that drip with charisma. He effortlessly weaves into the track’s sultry energy, dropping lyrics that feel like a wink and a nod: “Your bust and your hips and your waist na Brazilian/Whine, whine, whine like Dominican.” Olamide adds his flow and texture, pulling listeners deeper into the track’s lush aura.
“Wise 2.0” – Rybeena & Olamide
Amapiano has long been a space where groove meets grit, and Rybeena’s “Wise 2.0” captures this perfectly. Built on a log drum-powered foundation, the song is laced with raw energy, with Rybeena gliding effortlessly over the beat using a mix of street lingua and melodic cadences.
Enter Olamide, and the track shifts into a higher gear. His verse transforms the song. The beat feels heavier, and the intensity skyrockets. Olamide attacks the rhythm with the precision of a seasoned general, delivering bars with bravado and street wisdom.
His ability to inject fire and finesse into the amapiano framework proves once again why he remains untouchable.
Vibes on Vibes” – Liya ft Olamide
Liya’s “Vibes on Vibes” radiates joy, a feel-good amapiano anthem that feels tailor-made for sunsets and celebrations. Olamide surprises here, ditching his usual hard-hitting bars for smooth, Fuji-inspired singing that kickstarts the song with a burst of melody.
It’s a shift that feels effortless and also a reminder that Olamide isn’t just a rapper, but an artist with the ability to shape-shift across genres. His chorus anchors the song, allowing Liya’s lush vocals to take centre stage while maintaining his presence.
“Way Back” – Khaid ft Olamide
Loyalty, friendship, and the grind to success form the emotional backbone of “Way Back.” Khaid lays the foundation with a TikTok-friendly hook, but it’s Olamide’s verse that becomes the beating heart of the song.
His flow is sharp, his words cutting through the beat. There’s an urgency to his delivery when he raps, “Kole baje o bati/ You’re welcome to my party, turn up bi 4kerty” which gets one ignited
