Olamide’s OLIC2: The Beast Mode… Shut Down Lagos

From the corridor where the red carpet reception was held to the Eko Convention Centre of Eko Hotels & Suites, it was obvious the mammoth crowd of guest that converged at the venue had come to show love and party with the ‘MTV Base 2015 Most Listened Artiste’, Olamide Adedeji popularly known as Baddoo, as he hosted the second edition of his ‘Olamide Live In Concert’ tagged OLIC2: The Beast Mode, which held on Sunday, December 27, 2015.

Tickets (from the million naira-priced tables to VVIP, VIP and regular) were sold out, while the hotel’s concierge created a spot for the emergency black marketers of the OLIC tickets, who were mainly young folks that had a field day selling the black coloured ticket of the YBNL frontman to the die-hard fans who were willing to part with any amount to get inside the hall to be part of what many said was the biggest concert of 2015.

Like most hyped Nigerian concerts, timing was a big issue at this years’ OLIC. Inside the main venue, fun seekers patiently waited as the show advertised to start by 5pm couldn’t commence until around 9pm. And as the night fell, to serve as fillers, some up and coming comedians were unleashed to deliver some comedy skits, while their counterparts in music were availed opportunity to up the big stage and get the audience engaged.

The show officially kicked off with Adekunle Gold mounting the stage at about 12 midnight. He was indeed an apt choice as he set the night in the right mood with the performance of his three popular hits, Shade, Orente and the latest, Pick Up My Call.

Enter Runtown, DJ Enimoney, Chinko Ekun, Vektoh, Ycee and Lil Kesh, all performing a track each back-to-back, and whet the audience’s appetite. Headies ‘Revelation of the Year’ nominee, YCee and Lil Kesh upped the ante as they turn the party on as they delivered to the delight of all their hit tracks, Jagaban and Efejoku respectively.

The hall became more frenzy as the host, Olamide, was announced and stormed the stage in his characteristics manner. Backed by a live band, he gave a top-notch performance of hit songs from his five albums including the latest, Eyan MayWeather.

He broke his performance into two segments and at each interval wore a Danshiki and Yellow Agbada, Buba and trouser made by the designer, Zini Couture. To kick start each of his performances, the Duro S’oke crooner sampled various beats of legendary Apala musician, Haruna Ishola; Afrobeat king, Femi Kuti and Fuji star, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma.

To end the first segment of his performance, the Street OT singer rendered a song titled Mama Mi, specially recorded for his mother, which is included in his latest album. Olamide also seized the moment to appreciate all the mothers including his baby mama, son and all who were in the hall.

The YBNL kingpin temporarily vacated the stage for other acts including Sexy Steel, Eva Alordiah and his biggest guest artiste of the night Pasuma, who sustained and hit the notes with QDot. Other big stars that energised the hall with performance after performance include Orezi, BOJ, Vector, Harrysong, who wowed the crowd with his rave of the moment Reggae Blues, while dancehall star, Burna Boy, got many on their feet.

Then enter Falz the Bahd, who also delivered two of his songs. Phyno, the new king of Igbo rap was on point with his lyrics, while Reminisce rocked the crowd with three of his hits including Local Rapper and Kako Bi Chicken.

On his second segment, Olamide, sporting a yellow Agbada delivered series of sing-along hits. He paused and a troop of Boys Scout marched on to the stage, while a leader of the movement, on behalf of the World Boys Scout to honour the rap star with the movement’s Special handkerchief.

Olamide as gathered was raised in Bariga, a Lagos suburb was said to have been a member of the Boy Scout from toddler. The ceremony over, Olamide dropped his 2015 biggest hit, Shakitibobo and the hall erupted in dance mood as everyone swing their body in response. The song drew the curtain for the gig.

Many guests expressed disappointment over K1, Wizkid and Davido absence at the concert after being advertised. They noted that most Nigerian pop artistes save for 2Face, Darey and possibly P-Square, live performances seem a no-go area for them.