‘I’m Putting Me First Now’: Olamide Opens Up About His Major Life Shift

After decades spent not only nurturing his own career, but also lifting younger artists from the streets to stardom, Nigerian rapper and music mogul Olamide has revealed he is now choosing to put himself first. Olamide made the statement in a rare and candid interview aired recently on Flow 98.7 FM.

“Right now, I’m at the phase in my life where I’m really trying to give myself undivided attention,” he declared, adding that for most of his journey he had balanced “carrying others” with “doing my stuff,” but that chapter has ended.

The rapper is widely known as the founder of YBNL Nation, a record label that has launched the careers of multiple breakout stars. Over the years, his dual role as major artist and mentor shaped not just songs, but the trajectories of many lives.

But as Olamide enters this fresh chapter, the tone has shifted. He emphasized that his priority now is “self-care” and personal well-being rather than always being “there for people.” This isn’t just about stepping back from the industry’s hustle; it may be about redefining what success and fulfillment mean for him outside the pressure of building stars and maintaining a legacy.

The timing of his admission comes after a period of reflection and vulnerability. In 2025, he opened up about grief, loss and personal growth in other interviews, revealing layers beneath the public persona that few had seen before.

So what does this shift mean — for Olamide, for YBNL, and for the Nigerian music landscape at large? It could change the pace at which he operates, influencing whether he continues to champion rising talents or focuses more intently on his own craft. For aspiring artists under his wing, it might signal a time to lean into their own agency. And for fans, it offers a glimpse at an artist re-evaluating priorities and redefining success on his own terms.

More broadly, it underscores a narrative that many creatives share but rarely vocalize: the mental weight of constantly giving, mentoring, producing — and the need, at times, to pause and refill one’s own cup. With Olamide finally giving himself permission to do that, one wonders: will this be a season of reinvention? Or a time of quiet, sustained influence from the shadows?