Olamide Opens Up on His Bonds with Afrobeats’ Elite
In a recent interview on The Afrobeats Podcast, Nigerian rap heavyweight Olamide Baddo has laid to rest notions of animosity between him and Afrobeats’ “Big 3”, Davido, Wizkid, and Burna Boy affirming that despite public clashes among them, he considers all three his friends.
The landscape of Nigerian Afrobeats has long been peppered with intense rivalry. Over the past decade, tensions, sometimes blown into public view between major figures like Davido, Wizkid, and Burna Boy have generated stories, diss tracks, and media speculation.
Yet these same stars have also collaborated and pushed the Afrobeats genre to global prominence. Meanwhile, Olamide, a veteran rapper and founder of YBNL Nation, has always occupied a unique space. He is frequently mentioned among the most influential artists of his generation, both respected by his peers and integral to the evolution of Nigerian mainstream music. Some analysts even expand the “Big 3” to a “Big 4” to include him precisely because of this impact.
On the podcast, Olamide jocularly remarked (in Yoruba) that his friends “just cause too much trouble sometimes,” referring to Davido, Wizkid, and Burna Boy. He emphasized that while there may be disagreements and competition, the friendships endure. He acknowledged that “many people can’t align on so many things,” which seems to be his way of recognizing why the clashes happen. But crucially, he doesn’t see them as irreparable.
Olamide’s relationship with these artists is more than just verbal: it’s backed by real musical collaborations. He has recorded tracks with Davido, Wizkid, and Burna Boy, displaying his willingness to work across perceived divides.
What Olamide’s comments reveal is a nuanced truth: rivalry and friendship can coexist, The story of Afrobeats isn’t just one of competition, but also of camaraderie, mutual respect, and the shared goal of pushing music beyond borders. Even amid disagreements, the ties of artistry, legacy, and collaboration often persist.
