Artiste ”“ Olamide
Album ”“ Baddest Guy Ever Liveth
Features ”“Â Buckwyla, Pheelz, Pele Pele, Ice Prince, Endia, Pepenazi, Ketchup, Viktoh, B.Banks, Bez, Do”2D”Tun & Phyno
Producers ”“ Pheelz & V.I.C
Duration: 1.2 hours
Label ”“ YBNL (2013)
It`s been less than 12 months since Olamide`s acclaimed sophomore album ”˜YBNL` hit stores, but he`s not resting on those oars as the indigenous rap titan unleashes his third studio album titled ”˜Baddest Guy Ever Liveth`. The LP`s lead singles Durosoke and Turn Up catapulted the artiste to newer heights, ”˜Baddest Guy Ever Liveth`  serves as a sequel to ”˜YBNL`; slightly stronger, deeper and a tad bit exhausting. Packed with many “fillers” just like her predecessor, BGEL`s Achilles’ heel is its length which reduces the wow factor of the entire body work.
Undoubtedly worth most of the praises and listen, consume our track-to-track review and know which cuts depress the endowment of the album.
- 1.    Intro Feat. Do”2D”Tun: In less than 2 minutes Cool FM`s O.AP Dotun tries to give a rundown of Olamide`s career as an artiste in a moving manner.
- 2.    Esupofo: Olamide fairly impresses with ”˜Esupofo` baring tribal and a young hip sound.
- 3.    Rep Adugbo (Feat. Buckwyla & Pheelz): Just like on YBNL, Buckwyla features on the third track on the album; this time though, he is joined by Olamide`s go-to producer Pheelz. The thumping track is all about representing your hood; the groove and production is so engaging and breezy that you enjoy it without basking in the lyrical content.
- 4.    Anifowose: Pheelz is an utterly underrated producer and the chilling ”˜Anifowose` is a testimony to that, despite the fact that it can easily be over-looked. Sampling the great and legendary K1 D Ultimate on the hook of drum enriched, yet lightly produced song; Olamide calmly talks about his struggle for success. If you ever wondered where the trending line; “Versace Versace/ You rocking Versace/ Your mummy is hungry Oloshi”, is from? It is culled from the third verse of the song.
- 5.    Skammer (Feat. Pele Pele): The tempo of the LP paces up with ”˜Skammer` which features fresh rapper Pele Pele.
- 6.    Eleda Mi O: Olamide is an artiste who mostly raps his verse and sings his hooks and choruses all by himself. He shows this again on the groovy ”˜Eleda Mi O`; the song will fit right in, in a traditional party or wedding reception. It is basically a song about having a good time with lyrics like; “Baba God wa lo turn up”.
- 7.    Baddo Love: “Baby I will always love you”¦” Olamide`s un-fine singing voice utters on the moody chorus the seventh track. Despite the infectious and honest nature of ”˜Baddo Love`, we still feel that a featured vocalist should have been employed to lend Olamide a helping hand to ensure that this alternative rap inspired number is greater nonetheless the love preaching track is a favorite. Apparently Olamide is in love with both his quest for success and his girl but loves the latter a little more.
- 8.    Position yourself: ”˜Position Yourself` can easily be labeled the ”˜Stupid Love` of ”˜Baddest Guy Ever Liveth`. Like 95.2 % of the album; the potential club anthem is produced by Pheelz. The Makossa influenced number might not stimulate anything new, but it will surely get you worked up on the dance floor.
- 9.    Skit (Feat. Ketchup): Ketchup complains about the success and attention Olamide is getting. Might get a little exhausting but would have worked perfectly if ”˜Durosoke` followed it instead of un-fresh ”˜Gbadun Arawa`.
- 10.  Gbadun Arawa: This is one of those songs that arise when you have a LP, housing over 20 tracks. Not-groundbreaking and kind of recycled, ”˜Gbadun Arawa` does not demand attention like most of its colleagues.
- 11. Motivation (Feat. Ice Prince, Endia & Pepenazi): Pheelz wows with his production, Ice Prince Fails to heat things up with his fire or should I say he offered his Ice; nonetheless Endia, Pepenazi and Olamide each try to save the day yet ”˜Motivation` fails to motivate.
- 12. Church (Feat. Viktoh): Another weak song which showed much potential in the first seconds. Desperate stans of Olamide might force their ears to appreciate the cut nonetheless the sermon of this ”˜Church` is anything but spiritual.
- 13. Sitting On The Throne: Move over, Olamide is Nigeria`s rap king! Well that is what he is says on the thirteenth cut proving why he is a force to be reckoned with in Nigeria as far as his genre is concerned. ”˜Sitting on the Throne` is the only song not produced by Pheelz on the length album.
- 14. Mu Emu (Feat. B.Banks): Assisted by B.Banks, Olamide starts to get his groove back with ”˜Mu Emu`. The mid-tempo ear candy shows a perfect blend of Olamide`s rapping, singing and layering of background vocals; Olamide might convince you for a moment that singing is his true form. Must listen!
- 15. Turn Up: Fated to make you ”˜Turn Up`, the cut rises up to the occasion.
- King Shii: Olamide is still king and brags about it on ”˜King Shii`. Not one of the album`s brightest moment but it is a commendable afro hip-hop item.
- 17. Durosoke: ”˜Durosoke` takes it inside and outside; it is such a big song. Big not like towering ballad, but the arrangement, the humorous yet serious emotion, Olamide`s delivery and the effect it has on the listener. Definitely the album`s strongest song aimed at making one move, and we moving alright.
- 18. Dope Money (Feat. Phyno): We will start by saying that Olamide and Phyno should make a collaborative album; judging from the brilliance of their fist record together ”˜Ghost Mode` and this dope piece of music labeled ”˜Dope Money`. The care-free swagger the song oozes is impressive and they make it seem easy as they fiercely brag on the hip-hop orchestration.
- Yemi My Lover: Olamide yet again shows artistic depth and maturity on ”˜Yemi My Lover`. Olamide soulfully tells the tale of a sour past lover over stripped instrumentation driven by solely sythns, piano and drums. This cut will put Olamide on track on his race to legend-dom. With a title destined to raise eyebrows, the infectious yet catchy chorus, fierce delivery, and back-up vocals placed at the right spots drive the song home. Just like Durosoke if treated by a seasoned live band, one will be made to realize why the YBNL front-man is a principality. To cut the long story short ”˜Yemi My Lover` affirms the fact that Olamide is a recording artiste not a rapper.
- 20. Rayban Abacha: BGEL is definitely too long nevertheless the last part of the LP houses the LP`s gems like ”˜Rayban  Abacha` fo example. An awesome groovy dark hip-hop track where Mr. Adedeji shout-outs both his haters, supporters and fans.
- Higher (Feat. Bez): ”˜Higher` falls short of expectation; for selfish reasons we feel a Praiz or Timi Dakolo would brought life to the feeble alternative rap cut. Do not be deceived ”˜Higher` lacks the x-factor and will not take your higher or induce any goosebumps; the song is okay at best.
 Reviewed by Ogaga Sakpaide [ @Ogagus ]