Nigerian rap superstar and YBNL boss Olamide is making waves worldwide. Billboard officially named him one of the 2025 Global Power Players, spotlighting his impact as a label head.
Billboard officially named Olamide one of the 2025 Global Power Players, spotlighting his impact as a label head.
Olamide’s YBNL record label has dominated the scene, driving the success of Nigerian stars Asake and Fireboy DML, both of whom released hit albums in 2024. Asake’s third album, Lungu Boy, topped TurnTable Charts as Nigeria’s biggest album of 2024. Meanwhile, Fireboy’s fourth album, Adedamola, earned critical praise and boosted YBNL’s reputation.
In an interview with Billboard, Olamide shared how YBNL is expanding its global reach. “YBNL Nation has grown our footprint and strengthened our presence in key international markets,” he said.
“Collaborations with global artists and producers have bridged Afrobeats with other genres. This move positions YBNL as a major player on the world stage.”
YBNL had a landmark 2024. Asake sold out the iconic O2 Arena, becoming the third Nigerian artist after Davido and Wizkid to sell out the venue multiple times. Also, Asake’s hit “MMS” from Lungu Boy earned a Grammy nomination for Best African Music Performance at the 67th Grammy Awards.
As Afrobeats continues to dominate global music, Olamide and YBNL show no signs of slowing down. Billboard’s recognition highlights their growing influence in shaping the future of African music worldwide.
