In a stunning feat, Nigerian Indigenous rap legend, Olamide Adedeji simply known as Olamide‘s latest EP ‘Ikigai’ has set the record for most opening week streams by a project on Spotify Nigeria in 2024.

The 7-track project was released on the 27th of June, hours after his performance at Davido and Chioma‘s wedding.

“Ikigai” which translates to “reason for being” or “life’s purpose” in Japanese, marks Olamide’s 10th solo album and 15th project overall.

According to Nigeria’s chart publication, TurnTable Charts on July 5, 2024, ‘Ikigai’ garnered 7.92 million streams in its opening week placing it ahead of Shallipopi’s ‘Shakespopi’ which totaled 5.7 million streams.

The surprised EP has enjoyed a warm reception from listeners and its impressive first-day numbers restate Olamide’s status as the most streamed African rapper on Spotify. He also boasts of having the most streamed album by a Nigerian rapper on Spotify with his 2020 project ‘Carpe Diem’.

On ‘Ikigai,’ Olamide features YBNL superstars Fireboy and Asake on track 3 ‘Uptown Disco’. He also teamed up with former YBNL associates Pheelz, Young Jonn, and Lil Kesh for track 7 titled ‘Synchro System’.

The project becomes Olamide’s 10th solo project and 15th total project which further stretches his discography as one of the biggest in Nigerian mainstream music since 1999.

It comes on the heels of Olamide’s successful 2023 album “Unruly,” which included hit songs like “Trumpet” featuring CKay, “New Religion” with Asake, and “Jinja.”

‘Unruly’ was Olamide’s first biggest opening week stream on Spotify Nigeria with 5.8 million streams.

It also places him behind Davido’s ‘Timeless’ (14.4M), Burna Boy’s ‘I Told Them’ (9.4M), and Asake’s ‘Work Of Art’ (8.3M), as the fourth biggest streaming week for a project on Spotify Nigeria.

Olamide who is also the YBNL Nation record label has dazzled listeners with his music which has earned him a status as one of the greatest Nigerian artists of the modern era.