Nigerian artist - Olamide vows to never pay money for an international feature!

Nigerian musician Olamide has recently made headlines after declaring that he will never pay for an international feature. This statement has caused a lot of attention within the music industry, with some praising his commitment to supporting local talent, and others criticizing him for potentially limiting his opportunities for success on a global scale.

For context, an “international feature” refers to a collaboration between a Nigerian artist and an artist from another country, typically from outside of Africa. Historically, these types of features have been seen as a key way for Nigerian artists to gain exposure and increase their fan base on a global scale. However, Olamide’s statement challenges this traditional approach, as he argues that the focus should be on promoting local talent and supporting the growth of the Nigerian music industry.

"I will never pay money for an international collaboration. Ogun k*ll international collaboration. Fela didn't do any international collaboration, before he was recognized in  international market. Where I am now is by the grace of God. My work will take me to where I'm supposed to be. But know this, I'd never pay any international artiste for collaboration."

 

He is one of Nigeria’ prominent musiciansand he has been in the music industry for over a decade and has achieved great success in Nigeria and across the world. With this level of success, one would expect him to pursue a career in the United States music scene where many successful Nigerian artistes have signed lucrative deals with international record labels. However, Olamide has expressed no interest in signing to American record labels despite his fame and success. There are various reasons why Olamide might not be interested in signing an American record label, and this essay will discuss some of them.

Firstly, Olamide’s style of music and sound is typical of his culture and locality. He has maintained this style throughout his career, and it is evident in his lyrics, beats and performance style. His music is a blend of traditional Yoruba rhythms, hip-hop, and contemporary pop. This cultural mix is distinct to Nigeria and other West African countries, and it is difficult to replicate.

 Olamide’s decision to focus on local collaborations has some benefits. By prioritizing domestic talent, he can help to build a stronger foundation for the Nigerian music scene and support the growth of local artists.