About the Album
“Unruly” is the tenth studio album by Nigerian music veteran Olamide. Released in August 2023 through YBNL Nation and Empire, the 15-track project brings together several sides of the artist, from his street-rooted rap background to the melodic and contemporary Afropop sound that has defined much of his later career. The album features CKay, BNXN, Asake, Fireboy DML and Rema, creating a project that connects Olamide’s generation with some of the leading voices of the new school.
Unruly arrived after UY Scuti and represented another stage in Olamide’s continuing musical evolution. Rather than returning completely to his early street-hop sound, he uses the album to engage with the changing Nigerian music landscape while maintaining elements of the identity that established him.
The Sound
The album moves across Afropop, street-pop, hip-hop and Amapiano-influenced production, with different producers helping Olamide explore contrasting moods. Magicsticks, Eskeez, P.Priime, Bbanks and other producers contribute to the project’s varied sonic palette.
The opening stretch moves from the celebratory atmosphere of “Celebrate” into records such as “Jinja,” “Problem,” “Gaza” and “Doom,” allowing Olamide to switch between melodic performances, street-oriented flows and more experimental rap deliveries. The collaborations then introduce different textures, with CKay appearing on “Trumpet,” BNXN on “Come Alive,” Asake on “New Religion,” Fireboy DML on “Shibebe” and Rema on “Mukulu.”
The latter part of the album becomes more reflective through songs such as “Life Goes On” and “No Worries,” before closing with “Street Jam,” which reconnects the project with Olamide’s street-music roots.
What the Album Is About
Unruly explores several parts of Olamide’s life and artistic identity. There are songs centred on success, nightlife, relationships, desire and celebration, but the album also contains moments where he considers his position in the music industry and the changes that come with a long career.
The project is particularly interesting because Olamide does not treat his established sound as a fixed formula. He adapts his delivery to different production styles and allows younger collaborators to influence the musical direction of several tracks. Apple Music describes the album as Olamide meeting the contemporary Afropop scene without abandoning the wordplay and street-pop foundations that shaped his career.
Songs such as “Gaza,” “Hardcore” and “Street Jam” lean more heavily into his rap and street identity, while “Come Alive,” “Shibebe,” “Mukulu” and “New Religion” demonstrate his ability to work within more melodic contemporary sounds. This contrast gives Unruly a broad musical range while keeping Olamide at the centre of the project.
Listen on Hitzeer
Listen to Olamide’s Unruly on Hitzeer and explore the full tracklist, including collaborations with CKay, BNXN, Asake, Fireboy DML and Rema. Discover more Nigerian hip-hop, Afropop, street-pop and contemporary African music on Hitzeer.
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