On October 8, 2020, the legendary Nigerian rapper, Olamide, announced the release of his 8th studio album, “Carpe Diem. ” This beautiful body of work does not only portray a calmer and more mature version of the veteran rapper, but also displays his uncanny ability to adapt to the evolving soundscape of Nigerian music. As the album title suggests—with its literal meaning commensurate to the present—Olamide chooses to make the most of the present time,evident in his choice of features. The project features some of the hottest new acts in the Nigerian music scene today. From Labelmate Fireboy DML, to Omah Lay, to Bella Shmurda and Badboy Timz, as well as 18-year old producer, P-Priime.
Deep into a decade in the Nigerian music industry and coming off a 2019 that saw the indigenous rap scene dominated by Naira Marley and Zlatan Ibile, this hit-maker understood that he would need to be able to adapt to the ever-evolving soundscape of the Nigerian music industry. We saw him release an EP titled 999 in February 2020, and on this project, Olamide took a new route and decided to experiment with rapping in English. 999, however, wasn’t one of his most successful projects. The EP lacked substance, and as such, was quickly forgotten.
His follow up to that project is Carpe Diem—an album which is arguably one of his bests, with respect to the sound-engineering and replay value. The 12-track project showcases his penchant for singing, laced with slow and catchy beats that highlight the Nigerian music scene. In this project, the artist also chooses to pay attention to his female fan base, weaving melodies that explore themes of Love, Life and Sex.
Track By Track Review
The album opens with Another Level. On this track, his state of mind is obvious. Here, Olamide reminisces his journey so far and how he attained his current position. He also sings about his longevity and godfather-like status in the game. He fires shots at his denigrators as well.
Greenlight is next. The veteran rapper sings to his love interest on giving green light (consent) to his advances on this groovy track. This track has mildly sexual undertones and shows us a much calmer version of Olamide as he tries to serenade his muse with heartwarming, romantic melodies.
Next on the tracklist is Infinity, which features one of the hottest new acts in the country—Omah Lay. This track is filled with Sexual innuendos and showcases the singing abilities of the music maestro that perfectly match the catchy hook from Omah Lay.
Infinity is followed by Eru, one of the pre-released songs on the projects. The track is produced by 18-year old whizkid P-Priime and is filled with rich melodies. In Eru, Olamide is fully in his zone, as he sings about the lavish lifestyle of spending money and living carefree.
Olamide loves and continues to put new talents in the spotlight. This shows as he enlists the services of new street-pop star, Bella Shmurda, on Triumphant. On this track, Olamide sings about his early hustling days as well as his mental health and how his parents’ death affected him adversely. He also speaks about “changing the narrative for the ghetto youths” towards the end of the track.
On At Your Service, Olamide showcases that calm side we would go on to witness all through the album. We find him exuding more depth, and not just singing about casual sex. He speaks about wanting a deeper bond with his woman; one might even say he is in love.
Up next is Do Better, produced by Young John. Do Better is not one of the best tracks on the projects, but a good one nonetheless. This up street record sounds like the “Olamide of old.” The singer delivers the track in a fast-paced manner, with catchy rhymes about doing better for himself and his woman.
Olamide puts on his lover boy charm on Chimichanga, another one of the romantic numbers on this project and one of the tracks that appeal to his youth audience. Olamide is all romantic and tells his love interest not to be sad and spend his money. P-Priime produced this track.
Shilalo sees Olamide feature another industry giant, Phyno. The duo has shown great chemistry from the very first time they hopped on a track together in 2015, and it was evident yet again. In this love song, the pair delivers masterfully on an Afro-swing beat. Here, Olamide puts his sing-rapping skills on display.
Olamide serves us a club banger titled Loading. This features another one of the newcomers in the industry, Badboy Timz. In this song, Badboy Timz delivers a killer hook while Olamide sings about the lavish lifestyle of getting the bag and living wild. This track is sure to get a lot of airplay, as it has massive replay value.
The love journey continues with Unconditionally. Olamide features DMW’s Peruzzi on this slow, sensual song. On this track, Olamide sings about how he misses his woman and also pledges allegiance to her. He says, “You keep making me better, that’s why I’d never try to replace you with another. I’d always be your shotgun, ride to the end with you till the wheels fall off…” Vstik produced the track.
Olamide brings the album to a grand close with Plenty. On this track, he features label mate, Fireboy DML. In the infectious tune produced by Pheelz, Olamide sings about God’s blessings and living a life of fulfillment.
Standout Tracks – Infinity, Triumphant, At Your Service.
