The Nigerian singer exports his talent with a new album on American label Empire Records.
Following the release of 999 in January, Nigerian music superstar Olamide has unveiled his latest album thanks to a new partnership between the label that launched his career, YBNL Nation, and the major American record company Empire.
The project features collaborations with friends from the Nigerian music scene, including Fireboy DML, Omah Lay, Peruzzi, Phyno, Bella Shumrda and Bad Boy Timz. Most of the tracks on the album were produced by 18-year-old prodigy P.Priime (Fireboy DML, DJ Cuppy).
Olamide’s album is a reflection of the Nigerian underground scene: “It’s a combination of a lot of traditional elements and also a sound from way back in Nigeria called ‘galala,’ which has a little bit of reggae/dancehall. It’s also a fusion of something we call ‘Celestial;’ which is when you are playing secular music in church. It’s like taking pop to the church.”
Known for his multilingual songs that highlight his ability to rap and sing in English, Yoruba and Nigerian Pidgin, Olamide broadens his musical horizons on Carpe Diem, exploring new influences, especially through the colors of his vocal palette, which we rediscover on more afropop-oriented sounds.
As its name suggests, Carpe Diem invites us to make the most of the present without thinking too much about the future, even if Olamide already anticipated its success by signing on a major American label. The artist aspires to conquer the hearts of the whole world, like Davido, Wizkid and Burna Boy before him.
Carpe Diem will be released on October 8 via YBNL and EMPIRE.
Listen to Olamide in our playlist Songs of the Week on Spotify and Deezer.
