Nigerian rap icon and YBNL Nation founder, Olamide, has been officially named by Billboard among the Global Power Players for 2025, a prestigious accolade celebrating influential figures shaping the music industry worldwide.
This recognition highlights Olamide’s exceptional leadership of YBNL Nation, the record label behind major Nigerian stars Asake and Fireboy DML. Both artists released critically acclaimed albums in 2024, with Asake’s third studio album, Lungu Boy, earning the distinction of Nigeria’s biggest album of the year according to TurnTable Charts. Fireboy’s fourth album, adedamola, also garnered widespread praise as one of 2024’s standout projects.
In an exclusive interview with Billboard, Olamide emphasized the label’s ambitious global expansion efforts: “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.”
YBNL achieved several notable milestones in 2024, including Asake’s sold-out performance at London’s iconic O2 Arena. This feat made Asake the third Nigerian artist, after Davido and Wizkid, to sell out the venue multiple times. Furthermore, Asake’s hit track “MMS” from Lungu Boy received a nomination for Best African Music Performance at the 67th Grammy Awards.
Olamide’s Billboard recognition marks his evolution from a celebrated rap artist to a powerful music executive, having nurtured the careers of prominent talents such as Lil Kesh, Adekunle Gold, Fireboy, Young Jonn, and Pheelz. This accolade cements YBNL Nation’s status as one of Africa’s most influential record labels shaping the global music landscape.
