“Dagrin is a Legend” – Olamide
Nigerian Rapper, Olamide Adedeji, popularly called Olamide is known for spitting his lines in indigenous yoruba language,a style of delivery made popular by late music superstar, Da Grin.
The 23-year-old native of Abeokuta who is also a final year student of the Mass Communication in Tai Solarin University was born and bred in Bariga and partly attributes his style of rap to his childhood environment.
Olamide’s musical sojourn started in 2003 when he started writing his own lines and performing at shows. A few Years later,he met producer, I.D Cabasa when he went to record with a friend in a studio. He later got signed to Alapomeji records and claims that ever since he met I.D Cabasa, “he’s been giving me that special big brotherly love.”
When asked how the Late Dagrin has influenced him,he replied,”He’s more like the late Martin Luther King. I call him Barrack ‘O Grin. He is such a blessing to Nigeria. He really paved the way big time for up-and coming rappers like myself back in the day. It’s not like there has not been other people before him but his impact was awesome! Dagrin is a great artiste and I respect him; he is a legend.
“Now people are comparing me to Dagrin and that feels great. I see it as a blessing from God. I can’t say I’m the best rapper; that would be ridiculous. It’s like saying Jay Z is the best rapper. However, it’s not like Jay Z is better than B.I.G but people see the love they have for B.I.G in Jay Z. B.I.G died when he started making money and people were heartbroken. And Jay Z can never open his mouth and say ‘I’m better than B.I.G.’ The same thing applies to me too. I can’t say I’m better than Dagrin.”
On a lighter note, when talk of a relationship came up, Olamide declined to comment and when the issue of his female fans is addressed, he said, “Behind every successful man there is a woman. For me it’s not just about a woman but women so I take advantage of it positively. I don’t sleep with my female fans; I treat them like my sisters.”
The ‘Durosoke’ Crooner also advised up-and-coming artistes to put God first and do less of unnecessary hard work, further claiming that the major challenge in the Nigerian entertainment industry is Piracy.
He ended by making his dreams known, saying he wants to be a global brand, a feat for which he is looking up to God.