Lil Kesh Opens Up About How “Lyrically” Landed Him a YBNL Deal

Nigerian music sensation Lil Kesh has reflected on the breakout moment that changed his life signing with Olamide’s YBNL Nation crediting his viral 2014 single “Lyrically” for catching Olamide’s attention and launching his mainstream music career.

Speaking candidly, Lil Kesh revealed that “Lyrically”, a rap-heavy track showcasing his lyrical dexterity and street appeal, was the key to securing his record deal with YBNL.

“‘Lyrically’ is one song that got me my record deal. I am a rapper, but I don’t like to identify as a rapper intentionally. I came into the game as a rapper,” he shared.

Despite his rap roots, Lil Kesh revealed a strategic decision early in his career: he chose not to brand himself strictly as a rapper, recognizing the limited commercial shelf-life of the genre in Nigeria’s music landscape.

“Most of the people who identified as rappers, most of them couldn’t stand the test of time,” he noted, pointing to Olamide as a rare exception who successfully fused rap with Afrobeats to remain relevant.

Inspired by Olamide’s versatility, Lil Kesh pivoted toward a more pop- and street-influenced sound, delivering back-to-back hits such as “Shoki,” “Efejoku,” and “Is It Because I Love You.” These tracks not only dominated the charts but also solidified his position as a street-hop heavyweight and one of YBNL’s most successful signees.

Now recognized for his ability to straddle both rap and commercial music, Lil Kesh continues to evolve his sound while staying true to the street culture that made him a star.