by Oluwatobi Ibironke — February 18, 2023
Starting off with a hit song is every artiste`s new year wish, and for Olamide, the success of “Science Student” was answered prayer. It was just the right start that needed a brilliant buildup (which could mean successful singles, great videos, lit performances at top concerts and perhaps one or two major deals); then a special windup, which in the case of Olamide, is usually an end-of-the-year album and his annual street-themed concert OLIC. While the start for Olamide, this year, was solid; the buildup has so far been wobbly and there is little promise of a great cap to the music year.
Since the ambivalent reception of “Science Student”; there has been a stream of musical releases from the YBNL proprietor; different genres have been explored, diverse themes have been touched; yet most, if not all the songs have been underwhelming given the status of Olamide “the King of Streets.” Experimenting pop music, rap and alternative sound, with about 8 released singles and a number of collaborations since his early hit; Olamide has failed to produce a material that can be regarded as a street anthem. About this time the year before, Wo! was already taking the form of a crowd favorite but 2018 has taken a different turn for Badoo; not even a Wizkid feature, nor a Killertunes production could do the trick.
For a versatile artist like Olamide who has shown consistency with making bangers for about a decade, this dry spell seems more like a phase than a stay. The sharp evolution of sounds, the sudden jump of trends has made it tougher for some artists to have a hold on what`s in-demand; and this might just be the explanation for why the hits are harder to come by for Olamide. The throne, is still his, but new names like Slimcase have come with a trendy new sound and the streets are cheering at it. The long-stretched holiday of his longtime collaborator and hit-making partner, YungJonn, in the US, does not help matters either. The last time they teamed up, they produced “Science Student”; and till this day, it is the last big spark in Olamide`s lighter.
Between now and the end of the year, Olamide is sure to release one, two or more music; with the hope someway, somehow his hit songs would show forth. Collaborations here and there might turn out to help but neglecting the hard reality to release another album at the end of the year would be not wise. For the sake of Hip-hop and the ongoing revival; yes, but otherwise; like say for the sake of his annual album release ritual, a big No!
Written by Oluwatobi Ibironke
