Temmie Ovwasa, previously known under the moniker ‘YBNL Princess‘ during her time with Olamide’s label, recently voiced out about her experiences with the record executive.
She insinuated that Olamide struggled to give balanced attention to two artists simultaneously. This, she believes, led to her sidelining in favour of Fireboy DML. In a candid Instagram post, Temmie stated:
“Working with Olamide, I felt he couldn’t split his attention fairly between two artists. It always seemed like one was prioritised. In my case, I felt overshadowed by Fireboy.”
She further highlighted the lack of support in terms of song promotions, video shoots, and creative autonomy. She expressed feeling trapped and questioned her decision to join the label.
Temmie, also known by her birth name Temmie Ovwasa, joined YBNL in 2016 as its inaugural female artist. Although she released tracks like ‘Jabole‘, ‘Bamidele’, and ‘Holy Water‘, they failed to make waves. By 2020, a dispute had erupted between her and Olamide, leading to her departure.
The question that arises now: Can Olamide genuinely juggle the careers of two artists at once?
Based on Temmie’s observations, there seems to be a recurring pattern at YBNL:
The Lil Kesh & Adekunle Gold Phase
During this period, while Lil Kesh rose to prominence with his track “Shoki“, it appeared as if Adekunle Gold’s emergence with “Sade” led to Kesh’s reduced limelight. Temmie may have a point based on this.
The Davolee & Chinko Ekun Phase
Chinko Ekun, known for his swift rap and distinctive style, was the star until Davolee arrived with “Festival Bar“. This seemed to shift the label’s focus, sidelining Chinko.
The Lyta & Fireboy DML Phase
Lyta was the focal point until Fireboy DML’s “Jealous” hit the airwaves. Fireboy’s rise coincided with a transformative period for YBNL, propelling the label to greater heights.
The Fireboy DML & Asake Phase
This era is still unfolding. Both artists appear to be thriving, showing Olamide’s potential growth as a manager.
In conclusion, while there may be merit in Temmie’s claims, the music industry’s dynamics can be complex, with multiple factors influencing an artist’s trajectory.
