“Wizkid is my senior in the music industry” – Olamide declares in new interview, settles long-standing debate

 In a rare and candid moment, Nigerian music icon and YBNL Nation boss Olamide Adedeji, popularly known as Olamide, has publicly acknowledged Grammy-winning superstar Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, better known as Wizkid, as his senior in the music industry.

The statement, made during a widely circulated interview on the popular podcast Afrobeats Intelligence hosted by Joey Akan, has sent shockwaves across social media and instantly put to rest years of fan-driven debates about hierarchy between two of Africa’s biggest music exports.

When asked directly about his relationship with Wizkid and the ongoing comparisons fueled by their respective fanbases (Baddo fans vs. Wizkid FC), Olamide responded with characteristic humility:

“Wizkid is my senior in the music industry, no controversy about that. He came before me, he blew before me, and he has done things that opened doors for all of us. I have mad respect for him. No be fight, na love.”

Olamide, who made his mainstream breakthrough in 2010 with the hit single “Eni Duro” and has since released over 10 studio albums under his YBNL imprint, emphasized that seniority in the industry is not about age but about milestones and impact.

“People mix age with seniority sometimes. Me and Wiz na like five months apart o, but in this game, he don senior me well well. Him don dey fly private jet when many of us still dey enter molue. Respect is respect,” he added with a laugh.

The “Science Student” crooner also praised Wizkid’s role in putting Afrobeats on the global map, citing the Made in Lagos album and the historic “One Dance” collaboration with Drake as pivotal moments that benefited the entire Nigerian music ecosystem.

“This thing wey we dey enjoy now – Billboard, Grammy nominations, sold-out O2 – Wizkid help open that door wide. Anybody wey no gree make e check am,” Olamide concluded.

Fans of both artists have hailed the statement as a masterclass in maturity and leadership. The clip has already amassed over 5 million views across platforms within 24 hours, with the hashtag #RespectToTheElders trending nationwide.

Wizkid is yet to respond publicly to Olamide’s declaration, but sources close to the Starboy Entertainment camp describe the relationship between the two superstars as one of “mutual respect and zero bad blood.”

This rare moment of clarity from one of Afrobeats’ most respected voices is being celebrated as a unifying moment for the culture.