An Overview: 10 Hit Songs from Olamide's YBNL Record Label
The NotjustokVS has been a resounding achievement for creators across the music industry. In our own unique way, we've celebrated artists, cities, and record labels.
Sometime ago, we hosted the label "battle" with the iconic Mo-Hits pitted against Square Records. Perhaps the biggest and widely received VS we've organised, we thought it wise to engage two leading Nigerian record labels: YBNL (Yahoo Boy No Laptop) founded in 2012 by Olamide and Davido Music Worldwide (DMW), which, as we know, was setup in 2016 by OBO (Stream YBNL VS DMW).
Both labels have boasted music superstars, and in turn produced hits from each camp. Today we begin with 10 hit songs from YBNL.
YBNL
Lil Kesh – Efejoku
The boy named Kesh introduced himself quite fiercely, with a rap style similar (at the time) to then label boss Olamide. Known for his hedonist themes and vibrant sounds, "Efejoku" was a soundtrack of its time, and a party starter around Nigeria and even beyond.
Adekunle Gold – Pick Up
In his earlier music Adekunle Gold was often moralistic, embodying a "grounded celebrity" with his songs which espoused rural love and aspirations –tied to the belief in God's hand. "Pick Up" is cut from that cloth, a classic number which solidified the Gold name as a household one. Everyone loved this jam!
Olamide – Bobo
Complete with a dance as popular as the record, "Bobo" is a mark of Olamide's hit making ability, the uncanny ability to make supersonic pop bangers from everyday elements.
Fireboy DML – Vibration
In 2019 Fireboy DML put out Laughter, Tears & Goosebumps, an album that will, in time, be regarded as a classic. For an album that spawned many hits, "Vibration" truly is in a class of its own, a hit which isn't undervalued by its popularity: When this comes on, you're wrapped in the greatness of Fireboy's sound –songwriting, melodies, etc.
Viktoh – Skibi Dat
Viktoh had some hits while he was in YBNL, prominent among them "All My Ladies" and this song. A vibrant single, it featured then labelmate Lil Kesh and was a truly crossover record, was responsible for introducing Viktoh as an excitable rapper.
Our list of 10 hit songs from YBNL continues below
Lil Kesh ft. Olamide & Davido – Shoki (Remix)
Complete with a crazy dance move, "Shoki" was the song of its era, a banging jam which, to its own credit, sounds like a thousand speakers. The remix featured YBNL honcho Olamide and a friend of the house, Davido. And as expected, from then on, things were never quite the same for Kesh, who went on to become a hit maker per excellence.
Fireboy DML – Jealous
It'll be unusual not to have "Jealous" on here. It's Fireboy's own breakout hit; although it'd been released in 2018 (off the YBNL Christmas themed effort), it began to gain momentum months later, in 2019, aided by the release of a video. What that tell you? Good music can't hide for so long and Fireboy DML is on the good path to become Olamide's crowning achievement as a CEO.
Olamide – Durosoke
When "Durosoke" was released, it prompted a sensational reception across Nigeria. Olamide was so influential I remember most people performed that little cough that preceded his first verse on the song.
DJ Enimoney ft. Slimcase, Tiwa Savage & Reminisce – Diet
At the height of the Shaku rave, Enimoney teamed up with some of the surest voices to deliver a banging meal off the Street Hop staple.
Fireboy DML – Scatta
With the release of Laughter, Tears & Goosebumps, Fireboy DML would etch his name in contemporary history. But not just then. "Scatta" was a brilliant moment for the artist, who'd found himself engaged in a number of shows, and this record would prove the tipping point. Every party literally scatters when this comes on.
There you go! 10 hit songs from the YBNL camp.