Billboard Names Olamide Among 2025 Global Power Players

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Billboard Names Olamide Among 2025 Global Power Players

Renowned Nigerian rapper and YBNL Nation founder, Olamide, has been honoured as one of Billboard’s Global Power Players for 2025, a recognition of his visionary leadership in propelling Afrobeats to global heights.

Olamide’s YBNL label, home to superstars like Asake and Fireboy DML, has seen major global breakthroughs in recent years. In 2024, Asake’s Lungu Boy became Nigeria’s biggest album, as confirmed by TurnTable Charts, while Fireboy’s Adedamola received widespread critical acclaim.

Highlighting YBNL’s international growth, Olamide pointed to high-impact collaborations that have successfully fused Afrobeats with global genres. Notably, Asake’s sold-out shows at London’s iconic O2 Arena—making him the third Nigerian act to achieve multiple sell-outs—further cemented the label’s global influence. Additionally, Asake’s hit track MMS earned a Grammy nomination for Best African Music Performance at the 67th Grammy Awards.

“YBNL Nation has made significant strides in expanding our global footprint and solidifying our presence in key international markets. Collaborations with international artists and producers have helped bridge the gap between Afrobeats and other genres. further establishing our label as a key player in the global music scene”, Olamide said partly.

The honor places Olamide among the top music executives and industry leaders shaping the future of global entertainment.