Baddest Guy Ever Liveth
Baddest Guy Ever Liveth (abbreviated as BGEL) is the third studio album by Nigerian hip hop recording artist Olamide. It was on November 7, 2013, by YBNL Nation.[1] Olamide recorded the album between 2012 and 2013 and enlisted Pheelz, Buckwyla, Ketchup, Ice Prince, Pepenazi, Endia, Viktoh, B.Banks, Phyno, Pele Pele and Bez to appear as guest artists on it. The album was produced entirely by Pheelz, except for the thirteenth track "Sitting on the Throne".[2][3]
Baddest Guy Ever Liveth | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | November 7, 2013 | |||
Recorded | 2012-2013 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 76:00 | |||
Label | YBNL Nation | |||
Producer |
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Olamide chronology | ||||
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Singles from Baddest Guy Ever Liveth | ||||
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Baddest Guy Ever Liveth was supported by four singles: "Durosoke", "Turn Up", "Yemi My Lover" and "Eleda Mi O". Premium Times newspaper included the album on its list of the 5 yet to be released Nigerian albums of 2013.[4] It was ranked 12th on Afrikka Radio's list of the top 12 best Nigerian albums of 2013.[5] Baddest Guy Ever Liveth won Best Album of the Year at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards, and was nominated for Rap Album of the Year at the 2014 City People Entertainment Awards.[6][7] It won Best Rap Album and Album of the Year at The Headies 2014.[8]
Background
Baddest Guy Ever Liveth was initially slated for release on October 14, 2013. However, its release was postponed due to the respect Olamide 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."[9] Olamide unveiled the Caesar-inspired album's cover art on October 17, 2013.[10]
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. "Dope Money" contains Ijebu, a western Nigerian variation of Yoruba. Olamide incorporated elements, punch lines, and themes of Yoruba music onto the album. "Eleda Mi O" contains a blend of indigenous rap and Jùjú music. In "Esupofo", he is reminiscent of a commercial version of Da Grin. The track "Position Yourself" was recorded over a Makossa beat. The instrumental of "Gbadun Arawa" bears close resemblance to D'banj's "Mobolowowon".[11][12]
Singles and other releases
The album's lead single "Durosoke" was released on May 1, 2013, along with "Baddest Nigga Ever Liveth", a freestyle recorded over Jay Z's "Dirt off Your Shoulder" instrumental.[13] It was nominated for Song of the Year and Best Rap Single at The Headies 2013.[14] The music video for "Durosoke" was directed by Clarence Peters and released exclusively on the Star Music platform.[15] The album's second single "Turn Up" was released on July 4, 2013. Its music video was directed by Moe Musa and incorporates various clips of Olamide's performances on tour.[16][17]
The album's third single "Yemi My Lover" was released on October 6, 2013.[18][19] A writer for 360nobs applauded Olamide for his delivery and inclusion of Yoruba and Igbo slangs.[20] The album's fourth single "Eleda Mi O" was released on January 3, 2014; its accompanying music video was photographed and directed by Unlimited L.A.[21] On March 18, 2014, Olamide released music videos for "Anifowose" and "Sitting on the Throne".[22] Shortly after the album's release, fans and colleagues mimicked the gunman pose seen on the album's cover.[23]
Critical reception
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
TayoTV | 6.5/10 |
The Boiler Nation | |
Nigerian Entertainment Today | |
TooXclusive |
Baddest Guy Ever Liveth received mixed reviews from music critics. InfoNubia.com praised Olamide's rhyming skills, but ended the review saying the album's tracks "sounded like freestyles that should probably stay on a mixtape."[11] A writer for OkayAfrica said the album's "length doesn’t take away from it being a thoroughly enjoyable confirmation that success hasn’t dampened Olamide's fire."[12] In a less enthusiastic review, Ayomide Tayo of Nigerian Entertainment Today awarded the album 3 stars out of 5, describing it as "a less inspired version of YBNL constructed by a rapper that is creatively low at the moment."[24] Ogaga Sakpaide of TooXclusive also granted the album 3 stars out of 5, saying it is "packed with many fillers" like its predecessor and that its length "reduces the wow factor of the entire body of work."[25] The Boiler Nation gave the album 3.5 stars out of 5 and felt it was a bit "overrated" when compared with his previous record.[26] A writer for TayoTV gave the album 6.5 stars out of 10, saying it was "disorganized, noisy in some parts, lacked cohesion and freshness."[27]
Accolades
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 |
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Intro" (featuring DO2dTUN) | Olamide Adedeji | Pheelz | 1:34 |
2. | "Esupofo" | Adedeji | Pheelz | 3:21 |
3. | "Rep Adugbo" (featuring Buckwyla and Pheelz) |
| Pheelz | 3:54 |
4. | "Anifowose" | Adedeji | Pheelz | 4:11 |
5. | "Skammer" (featuring Pele Pele) |
| Pheelz | 2:56 |
6. | "Eleda Mi O" | Adedeji | Pheelz | 4:23 |
7. | "Baddo Love" | Adedeji | Pheelz | 3:32 |
8. | "Position Yourself" | Adedeji | Pheelz | 3:23 |
9. | "Skit" (featuring Ketchup) | Adedeji | Pheelz | 1:20 |
10. | "Gbadun Arawa" | Adedeji | Pheelz | 3:40 |
11. | "Motivation" (featuring Ice Prince, Pepenazi and Endia) |
| Pheelz | 3:51 |
12. | "Church" (featuring Viktoh) |
| Pheelz | 4:14 |
13. | "Sitting on the Throne" | Adedeji | V.I.C | 4:28 |
14. | "Mu Emu" (featuring B.Banks) |
| Pheelz | 3:57 |
15. | "Turn Up" | Adedeji | Pheelz | 3:58 |
16. | "King Shii" | Adedeji | Pheelz | 3:46 |
17. | "Durosoke" | Adedeji | Pheelz | 4:20 |
18. | "Dope Money" (featuring Phyno) |
| Pheelz | 4:24 |
19. | "Yemi My Lover" | Adedeji | Pheelz | 3:32 |
20. | "Rayban Abacha" | Adedeji | Pheelz | 3:28 |
21. | "Higher" (featuring Bez) |
| Pheelz | 4:42 |
Total length: | 76:00 |
- Samples
- "Motivation" samples "Ghosts that We Knew", as performed by Mumford & Sons
- "Anifowose" samples "Omo Anifowose", as performed by Wasiu Ayinde Marshall
Personnel
The following people contributed to Baddest Guy Ever Liveth[28]
- Olamide Adedeji – primary artist
- Phillip Kayode Moses – primary producer, featured artist
- V.I.C – secondary producer
- Panshak Zamani – featured artist
- Buckwyla – featured artist
- Ketchup – featured artist
- Opeyemi Gbenga Kayode – featured artist
- Endia – featured artist
- Viktoh – featured artist
- B.Banks – featured artist
- Azubuike Chibuzo Nelson – featured artist
- Pele Pele – featured artist
- Emmanuel Bez Idakula – featured artist
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Label |
---|---|---|---|
Nigeria | November 7, 2013 | CD, Digital download | YBNL Nation |
References
- "Baddest Guy Ever Liveth by Olamide". iTunes. 7 November 2013. Archived from the original on 21 May 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
- "Rapper Olamide Releases 3rd Studio Album 'Baddest Guy Ever Liveth'". Pulse Nigeria. 7 November 2013. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
- "Olamide: "Baddest Guy Ever Liveth" Album Art and Tracklist". miabaga. 1 November 2013. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
- "Five yet-to-be released Nigeria music albums to look forward to". Premium Times. 21 October 2013. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
- "12 BEST ALBUMS OF 2013 IN NIGERIA". Afrikkaradio. 31 December 2013. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
- "Nigerian Entertainment Awards; Full List of Winners". Daily Times of Nigeria. 1 September 2014. Archived from the original on 22 October 2014. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
- Jasanya, Olamide (24 June 2014). "Who won what at City People Entertainment Awards 2014". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 2014-06-28. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
- Ochugba, Mary (10 October 2014). "The Headies unveils 2014 nominees". Business Day. Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
- "Olamide Postpones "Baddest Guy Ever Liveth" Album Release Because Of Samklef's 4KP". 36Nigeria. 14 October 2013. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
- "Nigerian Rap star Olamide Unveils Album Art for His Forthcoming Album, "Baddest Guy Ever Liveth"". Bellanaija. 17 October 2013. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
- "Album Review: Olamide - Baddest Guy Ever Liveth". InfoNubia. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
- "Olamide 'Baddest Guy Ever Liveth'". OkayAfrica. 19 November 2013. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
- "Olamide – Baddest N*gga Ever Liveth + Durosoke". Notjustok. 1 May 2013. Archived from the original on 13 January 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
- "Headies Award 2013 and Full List of winners". Osundefender. Archived from the original on 27 December 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
- "Olamide Debuts #Durosoke Video On Star Music App". Olorisupergal. 1 August 2013. Archived from the original on 5 January 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
- "Video: Olamide – Turn Up". 36NG. 2 December 2013. Archived from the original on 28 January 2014. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
- "Video Premiere: Olamide – Turn Up". 360nobs. 2 December 2013. Archived from the original on 7 January 2014. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
- "Now Playing: Olamide – Yemi My Lover". Bellanaija. 16 October 2013. Archived from the original on 23 November 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
- "Olamide – Yemi My Lover". Tooxclusive. 6 October 2013. Archived from the original on 5 January 2014. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
- "Get Familiar: Olamide – Yemi My Lover (mp3 download)". 360nobs. 7 October 2013. Archived from the original on 26 December 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
- "New Video: Olamide – Eleda Mi". Bellanaija. 3 January 2014. Archived from the original on 12 February 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
- "Olamide "Baddo" Drops Hot New Videos". Channels TV. 19 March 2014. Archived from the original on 21 March 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
- "PHOTOS: Olamide's 'Gunman pose' goes viral". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 14 November 2013. Archived from the original on 15 January 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
- "Album Review: Olamide is the 'Baddest Guy Ever Liveth' (even though he's tired)". The Net Nigeria. 17 November 2013. Archived from the original on 5 January 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
- "ALBUM REVIEW: Olamide – Baddest Guy Ever Liveth". Tooxclusive. 20 November 2013. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
- "Album Review: Baddest Guy Ever Liveth – Olamide". Zimbio. 17 November 2013. Archived from the original on 19 December 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
- "REVIEW: Olamide - Baddest Guy Ever Liveth". TayoTv. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
- "Olamide Drops Third Album, "Baddest Guy Ever Liveth" - Buy It At The Store". Jaguda. 7 November 2013. Archived from the original on 3 January 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2014.