One of the most inspiring stories in Nigerian music is how one established star helped an up-and-coming artist break into the spotlight. Few stories illustrate this better than how Olamide helped Zlatan Ibile rise from street passion to national recognition. Today I’ll tell you the full journey — not just the highlight, but the persistence, the encounter, and the moment that changed everything for Zlatan.
This is not hearsay, and it’s not a fan theory. Zlatan himself has spoken about it in interviews — what Olamide did, how it happened, and how it shaped his entire career trajectory.
How did Olamide help Zlatan?
Olamide helped Zlatan by giving him a verse on the song “My Body” in 2017 — a collaboration Zlatan says was life-changing and transformed his music career from underground to mainstream success. 1
That one decision — to feature Zlatan on a track and use his influence — became the pivotal moment that opened doors, earned exposure, and ultimately positioned Zlatan for major success in the Nigerian music industry.
Before “My Body” — the grind and the hustle
Let me take you back to before Zlatan became a household name. This was a time when he was hustling hard — making music, pushing SoundCloud tracks, grinding in Lagos and beyond. He wasn’t signed to any big label. He wasn’t known to the mainstream yet.
Zlatan was what many of us call a street artist — raw talent, huge potential, but still looking for that big break. And he knew it. He wasn’t shy about it either. When he saw an opportunity, he pursued it relentlessly.
That opportunity came in the form of Olamide — the YBNL boss whose influence in shaping careers was already legendary. 2
The persistence that paid off
Zlatan has told the story himself — how he was hitting Olamide up on Instagram DMs, how he was trying to get his attention, and how he was showing up persistently. That persistence matters because it shows Zlatan didn’t just stumble into success. He chased it.
According to him, Olamide gave him appointments twice that didn’t materialise at first. But on the third, they finally met — and that meeting changed everything. 3
What’s poignant about this is the humility in Zlatan’s recounting. He wasn’t shy about how much he wanted the opportunity. That tells you something about his hunger — and why this next moment mattered so much.
The making of “My Body”
Here’s where the story gets even more interesting. When Zlatan expected to collaborate with Olamide, he thought it was going to be a rap track. After all, Zlatan was more known as a rapper at that stage.
But Olamide had a different plan. Instead of leaning into rap, he steered the song toward an Afrobeats sound — a much more commercially viable and accessible style for the Nigerian market and beyond. 4
That strategic decision made all the difference. The song “My Body” wasn’t just a feature — it was a hit that captured ears across Nigeria. Olamide saw what many others had not yet seen: potential for Zlatan to break through with a sound that resonated widely.
What happened after the collaboration
Once the track dropped, the impact was immediate. The music started playing everywhere — from Lagos streets to clubs and radio stations. People began talking about Zlatan’s energy, his style, his presence.
The song shifted his career from underground buzz to mainstream spotlight almost overnight. Suddenly, booking agents wanted him. Promoters wanted him. Fans were streaming his music and dancing to his sound.
In Zlatan’s own words, recording that single verse was the moment his story changed. 5
Beyond “My Body” — exposure and connection
Here’s another part of the story that a lot of people miss. Once Zlatan gained visibility from the Olamide feature, bigger artists and industry players began to notice him too.
People like Davido and others started interacting with him — sometimes offering additional support or collaboration opportunities. That kind of attention doesn’t happen without the spotlight first being placed on you.
So when I tell you Olamide’s impact was substantial — it’s not an exaggeration. The feature didn’t just give Zlatan one song — it gave him a platform.
The personal testimony that made headlines
Zlatan didn’t just publicly appreciate Olamide once. He has reiterated on multiple occasions in interviews that Olamide gave him a verse that turned his life around, and that if it wasn’t for that verse, he might not be where he is today. 6
He’s even said that people can look at his journey and understand that the breakthrough moment wasn’t accidental — it was catalytic.
That’s rare in a competitive industry like ours, where artists often struggle to gain visibility without connections or backing.
How the industry viewed Olamide’s role
One of the reasons Zlatan’s story resonated across Nigerian music circles is that many people respected Olamide way before Zlatan did. Olamide’s reputation as a “star maker” wasn’t something Zlatan invented — it was already in the culture by the time they met.
Years before, Olamide had already helped artists like Lil Kesh, Adekunle Gold, Fireboy DML, and Asake gain visibility. Zlatan was simply the latest in a line of artists who acknowledged that influence publicly. 7
And unlike some artists who might pretend they made it completely alone, Zlatan has never hidden this part of his journey. That honesty is part of why his testimony carries weight.
Why Olamide didn’t hype it loudly
Something I admire about Olamide is that he doesn’t make a big deal about his generosity. Many people who have been helped by him say the same thing: he doesn’t tweet it, he doesn’t post it, and he doesn’t gloat about it.
Zlatan has specifically mentioned that Olamide will never go on social media boasting about this kind of help — and that’s because his approach has always been quiet empowerment rather than loud promotion. 8
That’s a part of his brand that many of us respect.
What Zlatan’s success means for Nigerian music
The impact of Olamide helping Zlatan goes beyond one feature. It shows something important about the Nigerian music ecosystem — that established artists can genuinely help younger ones rise, and that these moments can shape the industry’s future.
Zlatan’s success inspired others. Artists saw that if someone can rise from SoundCloud to mainstream with persistence — and with the help of someone like Olamide — then there’s hope for their own journeys too.
In a culture where competition sometimes overshadows collaboration, this story stands as an example of mentorship and support actually working in real time.
How persistence met opportunity
When I think about this story, I always return to the same lesson: opportunity favors persistence.
Zlatan didn’t just sit back and wait. He chased that opportunity through repeated messages, failed attempts, and then finally a breakthrough meeting. Olamide could have said no — but he chose to open the door instead.
That combination — of Zlatan’s hustle and Olamide’s willingness to help — is what produced a success story worth telling.
Where Zlatan is today
Today, Zlatan Ibile is one of Nigeria’s most recognizable artists, credited with hit songs and major collaborations that ripple across African pop culture. His career would not have exploded the way it did without that early collaborative moment with Olamide.
He has awards, nominations, and a discography that resonates with both street and mainstream audiences. And he’s quick to remind anyone who asks about that early breakthrough that Olamide played a key role.
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Final thoughts on how Olamide helped Zlatan
If there’s one thing I want you to take away from this story, it’s this: talent combined with opportunity is powerful, but talent combined with mentorship is unstoppable.
Olamide didn’t just give Zlatan a verse — he gave him exposure, industry validation, and a platform that many artists never get. That single act helped turn a career into a legacy.
And as fans of Nigerian music, we should celebrate not just the artists who make hits, but the ones who create opportunities for others to rise as well.
