- Words Notion Staff
Nigerian rap legend Olamide surprises fans with his new EP, IKIGAI / 生き甲斐, VOL.1, exploring a diverse array of genres and introspective themes.
Nigerian rap icon Olamide has dropped a surprise EP, IKIGAI / 生き甲斐, VOL.1, nearly a year after his acclaimed album, Unruly. With over 300 million streams of his previous work, Olamide’s new project comes amid speculation about his potential “retirement”, making this release even more significant.
The EP’s title, derived from the Japanese word ikigai, meaning “a reason for living”, suggests a deep introspection into Olamide’s artistic and personal motivations. Spanning seven tracks, IKIGAI explores a diverse mix of genres, blending hip-hop, Afrobeats, dancehall, Amapiano, and pop. This genre-bending approach underscores Olamide’s commitment to pushing musical boundaries and exploring new sonic landscapes.
The EP opens with ‘Metaverse’, setting a futuristic tone, while ‘Uptown Disco’ features a high-energy collaboration with fellow Nigerian artists Fireboy DML and Asake. The track ‘Knockout’, which includes Moroccan-Algerian artist Sabri, introduces a soulful, sensual layer to the project. Olamide also ventures into Arabic influences with ‘Hello Habibi’, showcasing his global musical vision.
The introspective ‘Morowor’” offers a reflective touch, and the EP concludes with ‘Synchro System’, reuniting Olamide with former YBNL collaborators Pheelz, Young Jonn, and Lil Kesh. This track evokes nostalgia and highlights the enduring connections within Olamide’s musical network.
Olamide’s IKIGAI / 生き甲斐, VOL.1 signals not only his return but also a renewed commitment to innovation and artistic exploration.