EP Review: Olamide Swaggers Through Ikigai / 生き甲斐, Vol. 1
The veteran act continues to find joy in the music.
At this point in his career, Olamide has done it all. Hitmaker, chart-topper and respected label owner, the man is responsible for some of Afrobeats’ era-defining music. He has also mentored artists who have made a remarkable impact on the pop culture scene in the country. While his music catalogue has featured a few misses, last year’s Unruly was a reminder—if we ever needed one—of his virtuosity. That project saw Olamide collaborate with some of the biggest new-generation music stars in Asake, Rema, CKay, BNXN and Fireboy DML, cementing his elder statesman status.
After hinting at Unruly being his last album, Olamide drops a surprise EP in the form of Ikigai / 生き甲斐, Vol. 1. The project’s title is a Japanese word, which translates to “a reason to live.” No song on the EP exemplifies the album’s title quite like “Morowore,” which interpolates Paul I.K. Dairo’s “Mo Wa Dupe,” as Olamide, assisted by choir vocals, expresses gratitude to the Almighty for his wins in life while encouraging listeners, “Hustle on, my brother, don’t stop.”
Throughout Ikigai / 生き甲斐, Vol. 1, Nigerian music producer Semzi—or SemzBond as Olamide calls him on the project—feels like one of the stars of the show, especially with five production credits amongst the seven tracks. Although this isn’t the first time Olamide would put his vocals on a Semzi production (Semzi produced Bad Boy Timz’s 2021 single “Skelele” featuring Olamide), this is the first time Semzi would produce an Olamide track. On “Metaverse,” Semzi’s upbeat production is the perfect project starter as Olamide blazes through the track with braggadocio, rapping and singing with laser-focused intention.
On “Uptown Disco,” Nigerian music producer Eskeez joins Semzi for another upbeat affair. The track features current YBNL signees Fireboy DML and Asake, who, with their boss, excel in pouring out happy, party vibes. Fireboy DML and Olamide litter their lines with football and film references—“Load dem goal like Haaland,” “Agba baller Asisat Oshoala,” “Lowkey they know I be like Chuck Norris”—and Asake rounds off the performance with a competent verse. It is the first time all three will appear on a song, and they don’t disappoint.
If “Uptown Disco” were the Team YBNL anthem, “Synchro System” is the anthem for Team Ex-YBNL. Pheelz, Young Jonn and Lil Kesh turn back the hands of time on the fantastic track produced by Pheelz. “Truly truly God has been amazing to me/All my worries disappear,” Young Jonn sings, capturing the song’s essence: appreciation for the growth in their lives. Under Olamide, Pheelz, Young Jonn and Lil Kesh honed their skills as producers and artists, respectively. All three have done great for themselves in their careers, giving the track a golden hue.
While Ikigai / 生き甲斐, Vol. 1 carries the theme of gratitude for success, Olamide doesn’t forget another kind of appreciation: the one reserved for women. Atop the addictive drums of “Makaveli.” Olamide raps and sings in appreciation of a love interest, boasting of his winning qualities as he places himself in the same space as ex-Nigerian football international Obafemi Martins and late American rap great Tupac Shakur. Sex fills the air on the SABRI-featuring “Knockout,” with the Moroccan/Algerian singer and songwriter dropping a fantastic performance. Arabic sentiments are aroused on the Rami Beatz and Otis-produced “Hello Habibi” as Olamide promises a lavish lifestyle to his lover.
The EP shows Olamide finding joy in the music and confidently moving from song to song. With the title promising of a second volume, Ikigai / 生き甲斐, Vol. 1 confirms that the well isn’t empty; for the man, the music is a reason to live.
Go HERE to stream Ikigai / 生き甲斐, Vol. 1.
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