Olamide Credits Late Rapper Dagrin as His Biggest Inspiration, Calls ‘C.E.O’ Album Timeless

|By Queen Banigo

Ace Nigerian rapper and YBNL boss, Olamide, has opened up about the profound influence late indigenous rap legend Dagrin had on his career and the Nigerian rap scene.

In a recent video broadcast, Olamide described Dagrin’s music as a major source of inspiration, revealing that he often turns to the late rapper’s acclaimed album, C.E.O., whenever he faces writer’s block.

“Dagrin’s C.E.O album is a timeless project. That’s the only rap album almost everybody in the South West can sing word for word,” Olamide said. “Dagrin influenced a lot of rappers. Whenever we need motivation, we would go and listen to his album.”

Dagrin, whose real name was Oladapo Olaitan Olaonipekun, died in a tragic auto crash in April 2010, but his legacy continues to shape indigenous rap in Nigeria. His music gained even more popularity after his death, solidifying his place as one of the genre’s most influential figures.