Afrobeats heavyweight Olamide Adedeji has revealed that he is entering a new stage of life — one in which he must finally put himself first after years of carrying, mentoring and shaping some of the most successful artistes in modern Nigerian music. Speaking in a recent interview with Flow 98.7 FM, the YBNL founder said he spent his entire career trying to balance the weight of others’ dreams alongside his own.
All my life I’ve been trying to be there for people and also trying to do my stuff. But right now, I’m focusing on myself 100 per cent.”
“Right now, I’m in the phase of my life where I’m really trying to give myself undivided attention,” Olamide said, describing how he often stretched himself thin while managing his personal growth and being available for everyone who needed him. “All my life I’ve been trying to be there for people and also trying to do my stuff. But right now, I’m focusing on myself 100 per cent.”
The revelation strikes at the heart of Olamide’s legacy. Beyond his own dominance, he is widely regarded as the most influential talent incubator of his generation — launching careers that reshaped the Afrobeats landscape. Through YBNL, he helped fire up stars like Lil Kesh, Fireboy DML, Young John, Pheelz, Adekunle Gold, Lyta and Asake. Outside the label, his co-signs and collaborations boosted Zlatan, Naira Marley, Portable, Bella Shmurda and dozens more.
Fans describe him as “the engine room of the street,” yet many now argue that Olamide rarely pauses to nourish his own evolution. His new declaration suggests a shift toward personal preservation — a move industry watchers say mirrors the career arcs of global icons who eventually pull back to protect longevity.
“Right now, I’m in the phase of my life where I’m really trying to give myself undivided attention,”
Olamide’s comments ignite a deeper conversation about emotional labour in the Nigerian entertainment scene. Behind the glamorous narrative of success lies a quieter truth: the pressure to mentor younger artistes, create hits, fund careers, guide rising stars and maintain relevance all at once often leads to burnout.
For many listeners, the statement echoes a cultural moment where Nigerian creatives are openly acknowledging exhaustion and choosing healthier boundaries.
As Olamide enters what he calls his “self-first era,” fans expect a renewed artistic direction, sharper focus and perhaps one of the most defining phases of his long-running influence.
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