“Igbalode rapper ton k’orin, awon eyan Drake!”
The similarities between Olamide and Drake are not subtle, and at this point, they could just be different versions of each other.
Although, Drake‘s debut, “Thank Me Later,” came about 11 years ago it wasn’t until after “Take Care” and NWTS that his rap prowess was validated.
Same for Olamide, “Rapsodi” introduced him, but “YBNL” and “BGEL” were really the albums that showed the world the magic he’s capable of.
Drake has 10 projects out and is one of the most profilic guys in hip-hop. He has a huge catalogue that’s filled with hits. More hits than anyone in the industry.
Olamide also has 10 projects outs and nobody comes close to him when it comes to making pure hits and bangers!
999 vs IYRTITL
Shortly before his game-changing studio album, Drake dropped a surprise mixtape full of gritty hip-hop, “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late,” in 2015.
He dropped “Views” in 2016; it had the hits One Dance & Hotline Bling and some of his best singing performances.
Likewise, ahead of his recent “Carpe Diem” album, Olamide also pulled a surprise on us when he dropped the hardcore rap EP, “999” early 2020.
With songs like Eru, At Your Service and Green Light, “Carpe Diem” has some of the best Olamide vocals ever!
Credibility
Olamide and Drake from the beginning of their careers have been slandered by people in the hip-hop community who argue that their pop exploits make them less of a rapper and disqualifies them from GOAT conversations.
You’ll hear “Is Olamide a rapper”? “Is Drake a rapper”?
But, as we’ve seen, they’re both two of the hardest rappers in their respective industries and definitely top 5 of the 2010s, in pop and in hip-hop!
No rapper has outdone both of them, when it comes to commercial success, or putting out amazing albums! They got classics!
Guest Verses
You need to fix a joint, who you calling? Drake is one of the few rappers who can take another person’s song and own it. Murdered some of the best rappers on their songs, kills every collab, and makes it a hit!
Same as Olamide. Nobody does a collabo better than Olamide. You can put him on a R&B record and he’ll perform (Ric Hassani) or side by side a dope rapper (MI), a fuji track (Obesere) or just afro-pop, it really doesn’t matter. Baddo is the guy!
Content
Just like Drake, most of Olamide‘s songs are either him talking about his good fortunes, his rap prowess or (very important) women.
If he’s tryna motivate the streets, then he’s telling a story about himself. Know who else does that? Drake!
Letter To Milli v March 14
On his Scorpion album, Drake made a song about his son, “March 14” where he went all introspective. The 5-minute track had a lot of insights for the kid, and although it’s not a hit, it’s a song that’s important to Drake‘s discography.
Two years before Drake did that, though, Olamide already made a song for his son called “Letter To Milli.” Also a rap song, Baddo had a lot of wise words for his son too!
We Rise By Lifting Others
Drake has been known to always put on niggas who are on the rise, from the days he took Kendrick Lamar on tour, to when he worked with The Weeknd on “Take Care.”
In recent years, he has helped kickstart the careers of guts like Lil Baby, Lil Durk and Blocboy JB.
If you know Olamide, then you know that’s what he’s all about. He gave guys like Pepenazi the boost they needed back in the day, collaborated with Phyno making him a big shot in the west.
He also put on Naira Marley, Zlatan Ibile, Bella Shmurda and many more!
Starboy!
Ain’t it funny that they both know a Starboy?
Drake is good friends with fellow Canadian, The Weeknd, also known as Starboy.
They’ve made some big hits together, and last year The Weeknd was number one in the whole world!
But, “Wizzy ni Starboy, ko kin shey The Weeknd!”
Starboy WizKid is pals with Olamide, they have about four songs together, and WizKid is the biggest artist in Africa right now. “Starboy international!”
With this few points of time I think I’ve been able to convince you and not confuse that Drake is to America, what Olamide is to us! Thank you!