YBNL

YBNL
Studio album by Olamide
Released November 12, 2012 [1]
Recorded 2011-2012
Genre Hip hop, african hip hop, yoruba music
Length 79:38
Label YNBL Nation
Producer Olamide (exec.), Pheelz, Samklef, I.D Cabasa, 2Kriss, Tyrone
Olamide chronology

Rapsodi
(2011)		 YBNL
(2012)		 Baddest Guy Ever Liveth
(2013)
Singles from YBNL
  1. "Ilefo Illuminati"
    Released: November 20, 2011[2]
  2. "First of All"
    Released: June 21, 2012[3]
  3. "Stupid Love"
    Released: July 27, 2012[4]
  4. "Voice of the Street"
    Released: November 1, 2012[5]

YBNL (abbreviation for Yahoo Boy No Laptop) is the second studio album by Nigerian hip hop recording artist Olamide. It was released on November 12, 2012 as the follow up to his debut studio album Rapsodi (2011). The album features guest appearances from Kay Switch, Tiwa Savage, Dammy Krane, Davido, Kidakudz, Reminisce, Base 1, Buckwyla and Minus 2. As the executive producer of his second studio project, Olamide reached out to different producers, including Pheelz, Samklef, I.D Cabasa, 2Kriss and Tyrone. The aforementioned producers largely contributed to the album's production. YBNL was supported by the singles "Ilefo Illuminati", "First of All", "Stupid Love" and "Voice of the Street".

Composition

The YBNL phrase is, in itself, a paradox. In layman's terms, Olamide wants to be fly like a Yahoo Boy, but doesn't want to be associated with sending scam emails. On YBNL, Olamide's lyrics focus primarily on his love for God and the streets that raised him. On "Jesu O’ Kola", he looks to God for support because he believes the music industry castigated him. On "Jale", a church-like chorus, Olamide thanked God for preventing him from stealing. On "Voice of the Streets", he raps about his ambition and determination to blow. He also raps about the passion and energy that young hustlers like himself possess. On "Street Love", he reminisces about his humble upbringing in Bariga. On "Money", Olamide talks about his constant quest for "paper chasing". On "Fucking with the Devil", Olamide said that he's not "born again", but can hear angels calling.[6]

Promotion

To promote the album, Olamide held an album launch party at Octopus Club in Yaba, Lagos. The launch party featured performances from Dammy Krane, Morell, Djzeez, Phyno, Phynom, Samklef, Skales and Lace.[7] Prior to the album launch party in Yaba, Olamide held a concert at Mazabs Event Centre in Ilorin, Kwara State on March 21, 2013.[8]

Singles

On November 20, 2011, Olamide released the album's lead single "Ilefo Illuminati". The song was produced by 2Kriss. The music video for the song, released on June 23, 2012, was shot and directed in South Africa by Godfather Productions.[9] On June 21, 2012, the album's second single "First of All" was released. It was produced by Pheelz. The music video for the single, taped at a total length of 4 minutes and 11 seconds, was directed in Nigeria by Patrick Ellis.[10] The remix of the song, featuring D'banj, made D'Kings Men's final tracklisting. On July 27, 2012, Olamide and YBNL Nation released the album's third single "Stupid Love". The song was produced by Samklef. The music video for "Stupid Love" was directed by Matt Max.[11] On November 1, 2012, the album's fourth single "Voice of the Street", produced by Tyrone, was released. The music video for the single was also directed by Matt Max.[12]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
TayoTv 8/10[13]
Hi-Life Magazine 7/10[14]
Nigerian Entertainment Today [6]

Upon its release, YBNL received generally positive reviews from music critics. Tayo Ayomide of Nigerian Entertainment Today gave the album 3.5 out of 5 stars, adding: "Besides album fillers like ‘Picture’ and ‘Owotabua’, YBNL is a confident album with a lot of presence. Olamide stakes his claim in Nigeria’s Hip Hop scene, which normally pushes native tongue rappers down the ladder. YBNL is the proud work of a rapper who has emerged from the shadows of a hit making producer and a late Nigerian rap legend to stand in the spotlight and boldly show us what Nigerian rap has been missing for a while- the heartbeat of the streets." [6]

A writer for TayoTv gave the album 8 out of 10 stars, stating: "When I started listening to this album, I was convinced that Olamide is up there in the Yoruba Rap word, in fact he is in the top 3 for me. Give him a couple more years and he would knock DaGrin off that top spot. He really did his homework on this album, most of the beats were on point, his features were great and his delivery and rhymes were solid. Of the 20 track over 70% are well thought out and mastered."[13]

A writer for Hi-Life Magazine assigned a rating of 7 out 10 stars, stating: "Olamide has stealthily managed to secure a place among the one of the best MCs in the hip-hop genre in Nigeria albeit with a mixture of indigenous parlance mixed with English. With the success of tracks like ‘First Of All’ and ‘Stupid Love’, this young 300 level mass communication part-time student of Tai Solarin University and Coded Tune artist who grew up from 9ice’s neck of woods – Bariga, Lagos is here to stay."[14]

Accolades

YBNL won the "Best Rap Album" and "Album of the Year" awards at the 2013 edition of The Headies.[15]

Year Awards ceremony Award description(s) Results
2013 The Headies Best Rap Album Won
Album of the Year Won

Tracklisting[16]

No. TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) Length
1. "Money"  Olamide AdedejiPheelz 2:08
2. "Fucking with the Devil"  Olamide AdedejiPheelz 4:03
3. "Lights in the Air" (featuring Buckwyla)Olamide Adedeji and BuckwylaPheelz 4:53
4. "Jale"  Olamide AdedejiPheelz 3:07
5. "Voice of the Street"  Olamide AdedejiTyrone 3:50
6. "Panumo" (featuring Davido)Olamide Adedeji and David AdelekeI.D Cabasa 3:49
7. "Street Love" (featuring Minus 2)Olamide Adedeji and Minus 2Pheelz 3:49
8. "Picture"  Olamide AdedejiI.D Cabasa 4:16
9. "Owotabua"  Olamide AdedejiPheelz 3:31
10. "Fuji House" (featuring Dammy Krane)Olamide Adedeji and Dammy KranePheelz 4:00
11. "Ilefo Illuminati"  Olamide Adedeji2Kriss 4:35
12. "Remember" (featuring Kay Switch)Olamide Adedeji and Kehinde Oladotun OyebanjoPheelz 3:47
13. "Nyarinya"  Olamide AdedejiPheelz 3:15
14. "Ewo Idi"  Olamide AdedejiEwo Idi 3:12
15. "Stupid Love"  Olamide AdedejiSamklef 3:47
16. "Jesu O Kola"  Olamide AdedejiPheelz 4:03
17. "Emotional Blackmail" (featuring Kidakudz)Olamide AdedejiPheelz 4:59
18. "International Local" (featuring Tiwa Savage)Olamide Adedeji and Tiwatope Savage BalogunI.D Cbasa 4:40
19. "First of All"  Olamide AdedejiPheelz 3:06
20. "Industreet (Cypher)" (featuring Reminisce and Base 1)Olamide Adedeji, Reminisce, and Base 1Pheelz 6:14

Personnel

  • Olamide Adedeji - Primary artist
  • Pheelz - Primary producer
  • Samklef - Secondary producer
  • I.D Cbasa - Secondary producer
  • 2Kriss - Secondary producer
  • Tyrone - Secondary producer
  • Tiwatope Savage Balogun - Featured artist
  • Dammy Krane - Featured artist
  • David Adeleke - Featured artist
  • Kidakudz - Featured artist
  • Reminisce - Featured artist
  • Base 1 - Featured artist
  • Buckwyla - Featured artist
  • Minus 2 - Featured artist

Release history

Region/Digital Platform Date Format Label
Nigeria November 12, 2012 CD, Digital download YBNL Nation
iTunes June 21, 2013[17] Digital download

References

  1. ↑ "[Review] Olamide - YBNL (Yahoo Boy No Laptop)". TayoTv. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  2. ↑ "New Music: Olamide – Ilefo Illuminati". Jaguda. 30 November 2011. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  3. ↑ "Olamide – First Of All (Freestyle)". Notjustok. 21 June 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  4. ↑ "Exclusive: Olamide – Stupid Love Ft Samklef". Jaguda. 27 July 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  5. ↑ "Olamide – Voice of the Street". Notjustok. 1 November 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "You can’t knock Olamide’s hustle on YBNL [Album Review]". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 26 November 2012. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  7. ↑ "VIDEO: Olamide YBNL Launch Party". Tooxclusive. 4 December 2012. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  8. ↑ "Olamide #YBNL Album Concert held in ILORIN.". The Scene- Nigeria. 22 July 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  9. ↑ "VIDEO: Olamide – ILefo Illuminati". Notjustok. 23 June 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
  10. ↑ "New Video: Olamide – First Of All". Bellanaija. 12 November 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
  11. ↑ "New Video: Olamide – Stupid Love". 360nobs. 28 March 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
  12. ↑ "New Video: Olamide – Voice Of The Street". Jaguda. 11 February 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "[Review] Olamide - YBNL (Yahoo Boy No Laptop)". TayoTv. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "ALBUM REVIEW". Hi-Life Magazine. 29 October 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  15. ↑ "Headies Award 2013 and Full List of winners". Osundefender. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  16. ↑ "Olamide – Y.B.N.L – [ Official Album Track List ]". Jaguda. 6 November 2012. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  17. ↑ "YBNL by Olamide". iTunes. 21 June 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2014.