Baddest Guy Ever Liveth Explained

Baddest Guy Ever Liveth
Type:Studio
Artist:Olamide
Cover:Olamide's Baddest Guy Ever Liveth album cover.jpg
Recorded:2012–2013
Label:YBNL Nation
Producer:
Prev Title:YBNL
Prev Year:2012
Next Title:Street OT
Next Year:2014

Baddest Guy Ever Liveth (abbreviated as BGEL) is the third studio album by Nigerian musician Olamide. It was released on November 7, 2013, by YBNL Nation.[1] Recorded between 2012 and 2013, the album features collaborations with Pheelz, Ice Prince, Pepenazi, Phyno and Bez, among others. Baddest Guy Ever Liveth was produced entirely by Pheelz, except for the thirteenth track "Sitting on the Throne".[2] [3]

The album was supported by the singles "Durosoke", "Turn Up", "Yemi My Lover" and "Eleda Mi O". Premium Times newspaper included Baddest Guy Ever Liveth on its list of the 5 yet to be released Nigerian albums of 2013.[4] Afrikka Radio ranked the album 12th on its 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] Moreover, 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, it was postponed in order to support the release of Samklef's album. In a Twitter post, Olamide said, "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] He 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 language by rapping in different variations of it. The track "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, while the instrumental of "Gbadun Arawa" bears close resemblance to D'banj's "Mobolowowon".

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.[11] The track was nominated for Song of the Year and Best Rap Single at The Headies 2013.[12] The music video for "Durosoke" was directed by Clarence Peters and released exclusively on the Star Music platform.[13] 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.[14] [15]

The album's third single, "Yemi My Lover", was released on October 6, 2013.[16] [17] A writer for 360nobs applauded Olamide for his delivery and inclusion of Yoruba and Igbo slangs.[18] 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.[19] On March 18, 2014, Olamide released music videos for the tracks "Anifowose" and "Sitting on the Throne".[20] Shortly after the album's release, fans and colleagues mimicked the gunman pose seen on the album's cover.[21]

Critical reception

Baddest Guy Ever Liveth received mixed reviews from music critics. The website 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."[22] 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."[23] 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 awarded the album 3.5 stars out of 5 and felt it was a bit "overrated" when compared to his previous record.[26] A writer for TayoTV gave the album a 6.5 rating out of 10, saying it was "disorganized, noisy in some parts, lacked cohesion and freshness."[27]

Accolades

YearAwards ceremonyAward description(s)Results
2014The HeadiesBest Rap Album
Album of the Year
Nigeria Entertainment AwardsBest Album of the Year
City People Entertainment AwardsRap Album of the Year

Track listing

Samples

Personnel

The following people contributed to Baddest Guy Ever Liveth:[28]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Baddest Guy Ever Liveth by Olamide . iTunes . 4 January 2014 . 7 November 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140521205133/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/baddest-guy-ever-liveth/id742936501 . 21 May 2014 .
  2. Web site: Rapper Olamide Releases 3rd Studio Album ‘Baddest Guy Ever Liveth’. Pulse Nigeria. 4 January 2014. 7 November 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140104211150/http://pulse.ng/music/rapper-olamide-releases-3rd-studio-album-baddest-guy-ever-liveth-id2533718.html. 4 January 2014. live.
  3. Web site: Olamide: "Baddest Guy Ever Liveth" Album Art and Tracklist. miabaga. 1 November 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20141018175153/http://miabaga.com/olamide-baddest-guy-ever-liveth-album-art-and-tracklist/. 18 October 2014. dead. 20 March 2016.
  4. Web site: Five yet-to-be released Nigeria music albums to look forward to. Premium Times. 4 January 2014. 21 October 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140104211058/http://premiumtimesng.com/arts-entertainment/146972-five-yet-released-nigeria-music-albums-look-forward.html. 4 January 2014. live.
  5. Web site: 12 BEST ALBUMS OF 2013 IN NIGERIA. Afrikkaradio. 4 January 2014. 31 December 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140104211111/http://afrikkaradio.com/12-best-albums-of-2013-in-nigeria/. 4 January 2014. dead.
  6. Web site: Nigerian Entertainment Awards; Full List of Winners. Daily Times of Nigeria. 2 September 2014. 1 September 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141022043510/http://www.dailytimes.com.ng/article/nigerian-entertainment-awards-full-list-winners?keepThis=true&TB_iframe=true&height=600&width=850&caption=Articles. 22 October 2014. live.
  7. Web site: Jasanya. Olamide. Who won what at City People Entertainment Awards 2014. Nigerian Entertainment Today. 29 July 2014. 24 June 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140628064318/http://thenet.ng/2014/06/who-won-what-at-city-people-entertainment-awards-2014/. 2014-06-28. dead.
  8. Web site: The Headies unveils 2014 nominees . Business Day . 10 October 2014 . 17 October 2014 . Ochugba, Mary . https://web.archive.org/web/20141028165724/http://businessdayonline.com/2014/10/the-headies-unveils-2014-nominees/#.VECS_ildVz0 . 28 October 2014 . live .
  9. Web site: Olamide Postpones "Baddest Guy Ever Liveth" Album Release Because Of Samklef’s 4KP. 36Nigeria. 4 January 2014. 14 October 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140104211049/http://www.36ng.com.ng/2013/10/14/olamide-postpones-baddest-guy-ever-liveth-album-release-because-of-samklefs-4kp/. 4 January 2014. live.
  10. Web site: Nigerian Rap star Olamide Unveils Album Art for His Forthcoming Album, "Baddest Guy Ever Liveth". Bellanaija. 4 January 2014. 17 October 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204004/http://www.bellanaija.com/2013/10/17/nigerian-rap-star-olamide-unveils-album-art-for-his-forthcoming-album-baddest-guy-ever-liveth/. 4 January 2014. live.
  11. Web site: Olamide – Baddest N*gga Ever Liveth + Durosoke. Notjustok. 4 January 2014. 1 May 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140113140850/http://notjustok.com/2013/05/01/olamide-baddest-ngga-ever-liveth-durosoke/. 13 January 2014. live.
  12. Web site: Headies Award 2013 and Full List of winners. Osundefender. 4 January 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20131227231501/http://www.osundefender.org/?p=140816. 27 December 2013. dead.
  13. Web site: Olamide Debuts #Durosoke Video On Star Music App.. Olorisupergal. 4 January 2014. 1 August 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140105020641/http://olorisupergal.com/olamide-debuts-durosoke-video-on-star-music-app/. 5 January 2014. live.
  14. Web site: Video: Olamide – Turn Up. 36NG. 5 January 2014. 2 December 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140128224634/http://www.36ng.com.ng/2013/12/02/video-olamide-turn-up/. 28 January 2014. live.
  15. Web site: Video Premiere: Olamide – Turn Up. 360nobs. 5 January 2014. 2 December 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140107014835/http://www.360nobs.com/2013/12/video-premiere-olamide-turn-up/. 7 January 2014. live.
  16. Web site: Now Playing: Olamide – Yemi My Lover. Bellanaija. 5 January 2014. 16 October 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131123011242/http://www.bellanaija.com/2013/10/16/now-playing-olamide-yemi-my-lover/. 23 November 2013. live.
  17. Web site: Olamide – Yemi My Lover. Tooxclusive. 5 January 2014. 6 October 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140105075818/http://tooxclusive.com/2013/10/06/olamide-yemi-my-lover/. 5 January 2014. live.
  18. Web site: Get Familiar: Olamide – Yemi My Lover (mp3 download). 360nobs. 5 January 2014. 7 October 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131226053910/http://www.360nobs.com/2013/10/get-familiar-olamide-yemi-my-lover/. 26 December 2013. live.
  19. Web site: New Video: Olamide – Eleda Mi. Bellanaija. 12 February 2015. 3 January 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20150212040236/http://www.bellanaija.com/2014/01/03/new-video-olamide-eleda-mi/. 12 February 2015. live.
  20. Web site: Olamide "Baddo" Drops Hot New Videos . Channels TV . 19 March 2014 . 20 March 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140321071032/http://www.channelstv.com/home/2014/03/19/olamide-baddo-drops-hot-new-videos/ . 21 March 2014 . live .
  21. Web site: PHOTOS: Olamide’s ‘Gunman pose’ goes viral. Nigerian Entertainment Today. 4 January 2014. 14 November 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140115022859/http://thenet.ng/2013/11/photos-olamides-gunman-pose-goes-viral. 15 January 2014. dead.
  22. Web site: Album Review: Olamide - Baddest Guy Ever Liveth. InfoNubia. 4 January 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140104213429/http://www.infonubia.com/2013/11/album-review-olamide-baddest-guy-ever.html. 4 January 2014. live.
  23. Web site: Olamide ‘Baddest Guy Ever Liveth’. OkayAfrica. 4 January 2014. 19 November 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131203083210/http://www.okayafrica.com/2013/11/19/olamide-baddest-guy-ever-liveth/. 3 December 2013. live.
  24. Web site: Album Review: Olamide is the ‘Baddest Guy Ever Liveth’ (even though he’s tired). The Net Nigeria. 4 January 2014. 17 November 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140105085337/http://thenet.ng/2013/11/album-review-olamide-is-the-baddest-guy-ever-liveth-even-though-hes-tired/. 5 January 2014. dead.
  25. Web site: ALBUM REVIEW: Olamide – Baddest Guy Ever Liveth. Tooxclusive. 4 January 2014. 20 November 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140104205607/http://tooxclusive.com/2013/11/20/album-review-olamide-baddest-guy-ever-liveth/. 4 January 2014. live.
  26. Web site: Album Review: Baddest Guy Ever Liveth – Olamide . Zimbio . 4 January 2014 . 17 November 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131219010559/http://www.zimbio.com/Nigeria%2BMusic/articles/XWWrKW9ui0Q/Album%2BReview%2BBaddest%2BGuy%2BEver%2BLiveth%2BOlamide . 19 December 2013 .
  27. Web site: REVIEW: Olamide - Baddest Guy Ever Liveth . TayoTv . 4 January 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140104205651/http://www.tayotv.net/2013/11/bgelreview.html . 4 January 2014 .
  28. Web site: Olamide Drops Third Album, "Baddest Guy Ever Liveth" - Buy It At The Store. Jaguda. 4 January 2014. 7 November 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140103111009/http://www.jaguda.com/2013/11/07/olamide-drops-third-album-baddest-guy-ever-liveth-buy-store/. 3 January 2014. live.