Baddest Guy Ever Liveth

Baddest Guy Ever Liveth
Studio album by Olamide
Released November 7, 2013 (2013-11-07)
Recorded 2012-2013
Genre Hip hop, african hip hop, yoruba music
Label YBNL Nation
Producer Pheelz, V.I.C
Olamide chronology
YBNL
(2012)		 Baddest Guy Ever Liveth
(2013)		 Street OT.
(2014)
Singles from Baddest Guy Ever Liveth
  1. "Durosoke"
    Released: May 1, 2013[1]
  2. "Turn Up"
    Released: July 4, 2013[2]
  3. "Yemi My Lover"
    Released: October 6, 2013[3]
  4. "Eleda Mi O"
    Released: January 3, 2014

Baddest Guy Ever Liveth (stylized as BGEL) is the third studio album by Nigerian hip hop recording artist Olamide. It was released through YBNL Nation on November 7, 2013.[4] Work on the album began in 2012 and continued through 2013. Olamide executive produced the album and enlisted Pheelz, Buckwyla, Ketchup, Ice Prince, Pepenazi, Endia, Viktoh, B.Banks, Phyno, Pele Pele and Bez to appear as guest appearances on the album. The album was produced solely by Pheelz, except for the thirteenth track "Sitting on the Throne".[5][6]

Baddest Guy Ever Liveth was supported by the singles "Durosoke", "Turn Up", "Yemi My Lover" and "Eleda Mi O". Olamide toured with D'banj, Burna Boy, Chidinma, Vector, Pucado, Phyno, Seyi Shay, Show Dem Camp, Kay Switch and Sean Tizzle as a supporting act on the Hennessy Artistry 2013 Club Tour.[7] The album was among Premium Times list of the 5 yet to be released Nigerian album of 2013.[8] Furthermore, it was ranked 12 on Afrikka Radio's list of the top 12 best Nigerian albums of 2013.[9]

Initial release date, cover art release

Baddest Guy Ever Liveth was initially slated for release on October 14, 2013, but was postponed due to the respect that Baddo has for Samklef. He tweeted: "Don't compete with your homies. Make money with your homies. Due to the respect and love I have for my homie Samklef, I'm holding my album back. Let's support Samklef. Can't drop my album same day."[10] On October 17, 2013, Olamide unveiled the Caesar-inspired cover art for Baddest Guy Ever Liveth.[11]

Composition

Baddest Guy Ever Liveth was recorded primarily in the Yoruba language. Olamide explores the depth of the Yoruba language by rapping in different variations of it. On the song "Dope Money", he raps in Ijebu, a western Nigerian variation of Yoruba. Olamide incorporated elements, punch lines, and themes of Yoruba music onto the album. On the song "Eleda Mi O", he blends indigenous rap with Jùjú music. On "Esupofo", he is reminiscent of a commercial version of Da Grin. On the record "Position Yourself", Olamide raps over a Makossa instrumental. The beat on "Gbadun Arawa" bears close resemblance to D'banj's "Mobolowowon".[12][13]

Singles

On May 1, 2013, Olamide released the album's lead single "Durosoke" along with "Baddest N*gga Ever Liveth", a freestyle done over Jay Z's "Dirt off Your Shoulder" instrumental.[1] "Durosoke" was produced by Pheelz. It was nominated for "Song of the Year" and "Best Rap Single" at the 2013 edition of The Headies.[14] The music video for "Durosoke" was directed by Clarence Peters and exclusively released by Star Music.[15]

On July 4, 2013, Olamide and YBNL Nation released the album's second single titled "Turn Up". The music video for the single was shot and directed in London by Moe Musa; it incorporates various clips of Olamide's performances on tour.[16][17] The music video was uploaded onto Vevo on December 2, 2013 at a total length of 3 minutes and 59 seconds.[18][19]

"Yemi My Lover", the album's third single, was released on October 6, 2013.[20][21] A writer for 360nobs applauded Olamide for the song, saying: "Olamide sings on this track which isn’t so bad plus he is much softer on his delivery, none of the angry spats, – and of course drops his funny yoruba lines with a hint of Ibo. Clearly talking to a past girl friend and all those girls who won’t go through thick and thin with a dude but want a come back when things are looking commercially fantastic.".[22]

"Eleda Mi O" was released as the album's fourth single on January 3, 2014; its accompany music video was photographed and directed by Unlimited L.A.[23]

Other releases and "gunman pose"

On March 18, 2014, Olamide released music videos for "Anifowose" and "Sitting on the Throne".[24] Shortly after releasing Baddest Guy Ever Liveth, fans and colleagues of Olamide showed him love by mimicking his "gunman pose" on the album cover.[25]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
TayoTv6.5/10[26]
TheBoilerNation[27]
Nigerian Entertainment Today[28]
Tooxclusive[29]

Upon its release, Baddest Guy Ever Liveth was met with mixed to positive reviews. Tayo Ayomide of Nigerian Entertainment Today gave the album 3 out of 5 stars, stating: "BGEL is a less inspired version of YBNL constructed by a rapper that is creatively low at the moment. Thematically there are a lot of rehashed topics on the project that is why it is not surprising that the best tracks are the ones where Olamide talks about being on the throne. Even with its flaws, Baddest Guy Ever Liveth proves that hard work does pay off. With this third album Olamide is undoubtedly the baddest rapper in Nigeria even though he is tired."[28]

Ogaga Sakpaide of Tooxclusive also gave the album 3 out of 5 stars, saying: "The LP’s lead singles Durosoke and Turn Up catapulted the artiste to newer heights, ‘Baddest Guy Ever Liveth’ serves as a sequel to ‘YBNL’; slightly stronger, deeper and a tad bit exhausting. Packed with many “fillers” just like her predecessor, BGEL’s Achilles’ heel is its length which reduces the wow factor of the entire body work."[29]

A writer for TheBoilerNation gave the album 3.5 out of 5 stars, adding: "In summary, baddest guy ever liveth album is a bit overrated when compared with his 2012 ‘YBNL’ album and is rather better a Mixtape than an album. It has even gone viral already on the internet."[27]

A writer for infoNubia said: "Olamide is a skillful rapper no doubt, if you have any doubts, this album would erase that. He raps in English Yoruba, Pidgin and even delivers "Ijebu" rhymes which I thought was down right skillful. However some of this tracks sounded like freestyles that should probably stay on a mix tape album (this is because I thought if Olamide made a 16 track album, he would have easily delivered a flawless one). In all, this album is a worthy listen most definitely. You might skip one or two tracks but mostly a listen through and I love it."[12]

A writer for TayoTv gave the album 6.5 out of 10 stars, adding: "I have to say that this album is far below standard, disappointing and below expectation. The album's concept was very confusing, with an unstable rhythm. This album is like holding a machine gun and firing it anywhere and everywhere without any particular target, just wasting bullets. Album was disorganized, noisy in some parts, lacked cohesion and freshness.Very average project from an artiste of his caliber."[26]

A writer for OkayAfrica said: "With Olamide, however, the “baddest guy” title is no empty boast. His work ethic and disregard for convention alone are enough to send him to the top of our baddest emcees list. At 21-tracks, Olamide’s latest full length might seem a stretch for those of us who now find comfort in nine song strong LPs and 140 character tweets. Yet length doesn’t take away from it being a thoroughly enjoyable confirmation that success hasn’t dampened Olamide’s fire. The self-proclaimed ‘heinous of bad’ has not lost his ability to throw curveballs by way of squeal-inducing rhymes and a core audience connecting chorus."[13]

Accolades

Baddest Guy Ever Liveth won the Best Album of the Year category at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.[30] The album was nominated for Rap Album of the Year at the 2014 City People Entertainment Awards.[31] The album won Best Rap Album and Album of the Year at The Headies 2014.[32]

Year Awards ceremony Award description(s) Results
2014 The Headies Best Rap Album Won
Album of the Year Won
Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best Album of the Year Won
City People Entertainment Awards Rap Album of the Year Nominated

Tracklisting

No. TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) Length
1. "Intro" (featuring Do 2 D Tun)Olamide AdedejiPheelz 1:34
2. "Esupofo"  Olamide AdedejiPheelz 3:21
3. "Rep Adugbo" (featuring Buckwyla & Pheelz)Olamide Adedeji, Buckwyla, and PheelzPheelz 3:54
4. "Anifowose"  Olamide AdedejiPheelz 4:11
5. "Skammer" (featuring Pele Pele)Olamide Adedeji and Pele PelePheelz 2:56
6. "Eleda Mi O"  Olamide AdedejiPheelz 4:23
7. "Baddo Love"  Olamide AdedejiPheelz 3:32
8. "Position Yourself"  Olamide AdedejiPheelz 3:23
9. "Skit" (featuring Ketchup)KetchupPheelz 1:20
10. "Gbadun Arawa"  Olamide AdedejiPheelz 3:40
11. "Motivation" (featuring Ice Prince, Pepenazi and Endia)Olamide Adedeji, Panshak Zamani, Pepenazi and EndiaPheelz 3:51
12. "Church" (featuring Viktoh)Olamide Adedeji and ViktohPheelz 4:14
13. "Sitting on the Throne"  Olamide AdedejiV.I.C 4:28
14. "Mu Emu" (featuring B.Banks)Olamide Adedeji and B.BanksPheelz 3:57
15. "Turn Up"  Olamide AdedejiPheelz 3:58
16. "King Shii"  Olamide AdedejiPheelz 3:46
17. "Durosoke"  Olamide AdedejiPheelz 4:20
18. "Dope Money" (featuring Phyno)Olamide Adedeji and Azubuike Chibuzo NelsonPheelz 4:24
19. "Yemi My Lover"  Olamide AdedejiPheelz 3:32
20. "Rayban Abacha"  Olamide AdedejiPheelz 3:28
21. "Higher" (featuring Bez)Olamide Adedeji and BezPheelz 4:42
Samples
Information Ref
"Motivation" samples Mumford & Sons' "Ghosts That We Knew" [13]
"Anifowose" samples "Omo Anifowose" (off the album Fuji Rapping by Fuji musician King "K1" Wasiu Ayinde Marshall).

Personnel[33]

  • Olamide Adedeji - Primary artist
  • Pheelz - Primary producer
  • V.I.C - Secondary producer
  • Panshak Zamani - Featured artist
  • Pheelz - Featured artist
  • Buckwyla - Featured artist
  • Ketchup - Featured artist
  • Pepenazi - Featured artist
  • Endia - Featured artist
  • Viktoh - Featured artist
  • B.banks - Featured artist
  • Azubuike Chibuzo Nelson - Featured artist
  • Pele Pele - Featured artist
  • Bez - Featured artist

Release history

Region Date Format Label
Nigeria November 7, 2013 CD, Digital download YBNL Nation

References

  1. 1 2 "Olamide – Baddest N*gga Ever Liveth + Durosoke". Notjustok. 1 May 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  2. ↑ "Olamide – Turn Up (Prod by Pheelz)". Notjustok. 4 July 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  3. ↑ "Olamide – Yemi My Lover". Notjustok. 6 October 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  4. ↑ "Baddest Guy Ever Liveth by Olamide". iTunes. 7 November 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  5. ↑ "Rapper Olamide Releases 3rd Studio Album ‘Baddest Guy Ever Liveth’". Pulse Nigeria. 7 November 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  6. ↑ "Olamide: “Baddest Guy Ever Liveth” Album Art and Tracklist". miabaga. 1 November 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  7. ↑ "Dbanj, Burna Boy, Phyno & Others Party Hard at the Hennessy Artistry Club Tour 2013". 8 August 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  8. ↑ "Five yet-to-be released Nigeria music albums to look forward to". Premium Times. 21 October 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  9. ↑ "12 BEST ALBUMS OF 2013 IN NIGERIA". Afrikkaradio. 31 December 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  10. ↑ "Olamide Postpones “Baddest Guy Ever Liveth” Album Release Because Of Samklef’s 4KP". 36Nigeria. 14 October 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  11. ↑ "Nigerian Rap star Olamide Unveils Album Art for His Forthcoming Album, “Baddest Guy Ever Liveth”". Bellanaija. 17 October 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  12. 1 2 "Album Review: Olamide - Baddest Guy Ever Liveth". InfoNubia. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  13. 1 2 3 "Olamide ‘Baddest Guy Ever Liveth’". OkayAfrica. 19 November 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  14. ↑ "Headies Award 2013 and Full List of winners". Osundefender. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  15. ↑ "Olamide Debuts #Durosoke Video On Star Music App.". Olorisupergal. 1 August 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  16. ↑ "Video: Olamide – Turn Up". 36NG. 2 December 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  17. ↑ "Video Premiere: Olamide – Turn Up". 360nobs. 2 December 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  18. ↑ "BN Video Premiere: Olamide – Turn Up". Bellanaija. 2 December 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  19. ↑ "VIDEO: Olamide – Turn Up". 2 December 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  20. ↑ "Now Playing: Olamide – Yemi My Lover". Bellanaija. 16 October 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  21. ↑ "Olamide – Yemi My Lover". Tooxclusive. 6 October 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  22. ↑ "Get Familiar: Olamide – Yemi My Lover (mp3 download)". 360nobs. 7 October 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  23. ↑ "New Video: Olamide – Eleda Mi". Bellanaija. 3 January 2014. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
  24. ↑ "Olamide “Baddo” Drops Hot New Videos". Channels TV. 19 March 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  25. ↑ "PHOTOS: Olamide’s ‘Gunman pose’ goes viral". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 14 November 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  26. 1 2 "REVIEW: Olamide - Baddest Guy Ever Liveth". TayoTv. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  27. 1 2 "Album Review: Baddest Guy Ever Liveth – Olamide". Zimbio. 17 November 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  28. 1 2 "Album Review: Olamide is the ‘Baddest Guy Ever Liveth’ (even though he’s tired)". The Net Nigeria. 17 November 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  29. 1 2 "ALBUM REVIEW: Olamide – Baddest Guy Ever Liveth". Tooxclusive. 20 November 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  30. ↑ "Nigerian Entertainment Awards; Full List of Winners". Daily Times of Nigeria. 1 September 2014. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  31. ↑ Jasanya, Olamide (24 June 2014). "Who won what at City People Entertainment Awards 2014". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  32. ↑ Ochugba, Mary (10 October 2014). "The Headies unveils 2014 nominees". Business Day. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
  33. ↑ "Olamide Drops Third Album, “Baddest Guy Ever Liveth” - Buy It At The Store". Jaguda. 7 November 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
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