In the bustling world of Nigerian music, the announcement of a new album always causes a sensation. This is how Olamide, the boss of YBNL, revealed big news on June 26, 2024, raising the excitement of his fans to its peak. After a surprise performance at Davido and Chioma’s wedding, the rapper took to social media by storm to share the news of his upcoming music project titled ‘Ikigai’.
The idea of giving this opus the Japanese name ‘Ikigai’, literally translating “raison d’être” or “reason for living”, is not insignificant. Indeed, by choosing this title, Olamide seems to want to explore the depths of his own existence and deliver a profound message to his audience. This therefore promises a project rich in emotions and introspection.
The new 7-track EP also promises great collaborations. We thus find the talents of YBNL superstars, Fireboy and Asake, on track 3 entitled ‘Uptown Disco’. Additionally, the original YBNL team of Pheelz, Young Jonn and Lil Kesh reunite on track 7 dubbed ‘Synchro System’. The diversity of the invited artists suggests an eclectic project rich in sounds.
At the start of this announcement, Olamide had already given an overview of the project by sharing an excerpt of the song ‘Hello Habibi’ on his Instagram. This piece, which turns out to be track 5 of the EP, suggests a captivating and intoxicating atmosphere, capable of transporting the listener on a gripping musical journey.
The announcement of ‘Ikigai’ comes as a surprise, especially as Olamide had previously suggested that his previous album, ‘Unruly’, could be his last project. Thus, this new release marks a new chapter in the rapper’s career, offering his fans a vibrant testimony of his boundless creativity.
With the official release date of ‘Ikigai’ set for June 26, it will be the tenth solo project and fifteenth project overall in Olamide’s discography. Building on his success and his impactful tracks such as ‘Trumpet’ with CKay or ‘Jinja’, the artist continues to demonstrate his talent and his ability to produce timeless hits.
In conclusion, the announcement of ‘Ikigai’ confirms Olamide’s prominent place in the Nigerian music industry. Between introspection, choice collaborations and promises of captivating pieces, this EP promises to be an unmissable event for all lovers of good music. Stay tuned to find out what’s in store for this new gem of the Nigerian music scene.