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 and promotion
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 cover art on October 17, 2013.[10]
The album's lead single, "Durosoke", was released on May 1, 2013, along with "Baddest Nigga Ever Liveth"; the latter track was recorded over Jay Z's "Dirt off Your Shoulder" instrumental.[11] "Durosoke" was nominated for Song of the Year and Best Rap Single at The Headies 2013.[12] The song's music video 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]
Composition
Baddest Guy Ever Liveth was primarily recorded 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".[22][23]
Baddest Guy Ever Liveth received mixed reviews from music critics. A contributor for the website InfoNubia.com praised Olamide's rhyming skills, but criticized the album's songs for "sounding 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 thoroughly enjoyable" and that "success hasn't dampened Olamide's fire".[23] Reviewing for Nigerian Entertainment Today, Ayomide Tayo 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]
TooXclusive's Ogaga Sakpaide 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]
