Nigerian rap icon and YBNL Nation boss Olamide has been named a Billboard Global Power Player for 2025, recognizing his leadership and the label’s significant global impact through artists like Asake and Fireboy DML

Nigerian rap icon and YBNL Nation label boss, Olamide Gbenga Adedeji, fondly known as Olamide, has been recognized by Billboard as one of the Global Power Players for 2025.

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This prestigious honour acknowledges his influential leadership at YBNL Nation, the powerhouse record label behind Nigerian superstars Asake and Fireboy DML.

The recognition comes after a stellar year for YBNL, with both Asake and Fireboy DML releasing critically acclaimed albums in 2024.

Asake’s third studio album, Lungu Boy, has been certified by TurnTable Charts as Nigeria’s biggest album of 2024, while Fireboy DML’s fourth album, Adedamola, has garnered praise as one of the year’s most outstanding projects.

YBNL Nation has made significant strides in expanding our global footprint and solidifying our presence in key international markets.

In an interview with Billboard, Olamide shed light on YBNL’s global expansion strategy: “YBNL Nation has made significant strides in expanding our global footprint and solidifying our presence in key international markets.

Collaborations with international artists and producers have helped bridge the gap between Afrobeats and other genres, further establishing our label as a key player in the global music scene.”

The label achieved several significant milestones in 2024. Asake notably sold out London’s O2 Arena, making him only the third Nigerian artist, after Davido and Wizkid, to achieve this feat multiple times.

Additionally, Asake’s track “MMS” from Lungu Boy earned a nomination for Best African Music Performance at the 67th Grammy Awards, further highlighting the label’s international impact.

Olamide’s recognition by Billboard underscores his remarkable evolution from a celebrated rap superstar to an influential music executive.

He has been instrumental in nurturing the careers of numerous major acts, including Lil Kesh, Adekunle Gold, Fireboy DML, Young Jonn, and Pheelz.