#OLIC4 : How Olamide shutdown Lagos with Teslim Balogun stadium concert, in grand style

“Don’t go for that show, there will touts and Agberos.”

“Touts will pick your pockets, and break a bottle on top your head.”

“Before you go, make sure you pray for God’s grace and guidance. Carry a full bottle of the blood of Jesus.”

These were words of friends and family as I told them that I was attending Olamide’s historic concert at the Teslim Balogun stadium in Surulere, Lagos. Nobody ever said anything positive about the show. The focus of many people has been on millions of wrong possibilities to come from Olamide’s show.

For the fourth time in 4 years, Nigerian rapper Olamide, the King of the streets, had decided to try something new with his annual concert. Tagged ‘Olamide Live In Lagos: The Concert’, the rapper was taking a break from the norm. Where previous years had seen the rapper bring his art and crowd to the hallowed halls and security of Eko Hotels & Suites, this year he was going to a stadium on the Lagos Mainland.

“Why did Olamide take it to the mainland na?” A friend asked. “Does he not know that there are plenty Agberos? All those boys looking for Christmas money will shine with you people.”

“Well, let’s see what would happen,” I responded. Of course, a part of me was concerned. There are a lot of differences between the Lagos Island and Mainland. But the most significant is the belief that the mainland has a greater percentage of crime.

But history was being made here. This is the first time a pop star in Nigeria would brave it all, and organize a concert at the Teslim Balogun stadium. Come rain, come shine, we must attend.

With Baddo, every year is a good year. While the rapper started 2017 slow, he steadily picked up steam as the months flew by. His first dent was done by the record ‘Wavy level’. And although the single failed to dominate pop culture, it showcased Olamide’s desire to try out new things.

But where he scored victory was by returning back to the basics – The Street. Teaming up with Young Jonn again, Olamide released the record ‘Wo’, which instantly became a hit record. The song and its success informed Olamide’s decision to release his 7th studio album, “Lagos Nawa,” which explored the ‘Wobe’ sound.