Nigerian rap icon and YBNL boss Olamide Adedeji has peeled back the curtain on his relationships with Afrobeats’ most celebrated stars, saying the supposed feuds between him and the “Big 3” — Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy — are far less dramatic than the headlines suggest.
In a candid chat on Adesope Live: The Afrobeats Podcast, Olamide described the trio as “friends” who can sometimes be difficult. “Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy are all my friends,” he said with a laugh. “They’re just too troublesome sometimes. They’re cool dudes, but there are things we don’t always agree on — and that’s fine.”
Collaboration Beyond Clashes
Despite occasional creative disagreements, Olamide pointed out that sparks of collaboration continue to fly. He recalled a behind-the-scenes moment on the set of Kai, where he played unreleased tracks for Wizkid. Among them was Billionaire’s Club, a song he had recorded only a day earlier. Wizkid was so captivated that he immediately asked to jump on the track.
“That’s how the magic happens,” Olamide said, noting that differences in opinion often fuel innovation rather than division.
Above the “Big 3” Debate
When pressed about being excluded from the industry’s unofficial “Big 3” label, Olamide brushed off the conversation. “I’m not losing sleep over titles,” he said. “For me, it’s always been about making music, enjoying the process, and staying true to what I love. Lists and rankings are for the fans and the media — I’m focused on the craft.”
Why Olamide’s Perspective Resonates
Olamide’s comments underscore a truth often lost in fan rivalries: the Afrobeats scene thrives on both competition and camaraderie. His easygoing acknowledgment of disagreements — and the story of Billionaire’s Club — highlights how even perceived rivals can create genre-defining moments together.
As Afrobeats continues to dominate global charts, Olamide’s words serve as a reminder that behind the public spats and industry labels are artists bound by respect, creativity, and brotherhood — even when they’re being “troublesome.”
