LADIPOE: The Tale of a Nigerian Rap Sensation
Oladipo Eso, better known as LADIPOE, has carved an identity for himself in the music industry with his prodigious skills and unique sound. The transgression of his tale as a music buff in secondary school to a pioneer in Nigerian rap is nothing short of inspiring. LADIPOE embarked on his musical journey during his secondary school days, but it was while studying in the United States for his undergraduate course that would define the rest of his career.
While pursuing a degree in Chemistry and Biology at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, he started the group Lyrically Equipped with his friends. The group laid the groundwork for the hooky lyrical flow of LADIPOE and defined him as a rap artist. His claim to fame was his feature on the track “Feel Alright” by Show Dem Camp, which made him popular with a larger audience. “Adore Her,” a track in collaboration with Funbi, was another hit that helped to ensure his place in the music ecosystem.
The year 2017 saw the debut of LADIPOE to Mavin Records as the first-ever rapper of the record label. His first project, “Talk About Poe,” was launched in the year 2018 and was a critical success. The album showed off his literary skills and his knack for switching up styles. Post that, LADIPOE has never looked back. “Lemme Know” and its remix with Teni and tracks from his “Revival Sundays” series have been fan favorites.
But it was his single in the year 2021, “Feeling,” in collaboration with Buju, that took his career to great heights. The song clocked more than 80 million streams in four months and topped the local radio chart for eight weeks in a row. The fans termed it the “song of the summer” and it even earned him a nomination for the BET Award for Best International Flow. Away from the music, LADIPOE has also given a lot to the African creative industry.
He is available on panels and speaking engagements, and through these, he uses his experiences and insights to inspire the emerging generation of creatives to greatness. His belief in the potency of African artists and the creative industry at large only goes to show his commitment to the growth and innovation of the industry.
Today, LADIPOE is back with his latest single, “Hallelujah.” This latest song is an example of his growth as an artist, and as a human being as well. “Hallelujah” talks about the concept of resilience and perseverance, themes that resonate well with where LADIPOE is coming from. From the onset, one can tell that LADIPOE is not messing around with the powerful lines, “Nothing now wey go kill my vibe / All I need is that peace of mind,” that lead to a reflective and introspective song.
The verses of LADIPOE, which have generally been referred to as “Lifelines,” are composed of some witty wordplay and deep insights. “Hallelujah” has more than enough to keep the candle burning, as it digs deeper into the thoughts and experiences of the artist. There are the catchy prayers and the thoughtful verses that will undoubtedly become real bangers among the audience.
“Hallelujah” has thus made LADIPOE a game-changer when it comes to Nigerian rap. This latest release is more than just a song; it is an anthem of perseverance and a celebration of personal growth, as well as a statement of his relentless commitment to the craft. As LADIPOE reinvents Afro-fusion and inspires through his music, one will not have to wait long until we witness more of such groundbreaking work from this amazing artist.
“Hallelujah” is available to stream here:
