Olamide Urges Nigerians to Embrace Cultural Heritage

Nigerian rapper Olamide Adedeji, known as Badoo, has called on Nigerians to take pride in their cultural heritage. He believes that African traditions should not be seen as evil or something to be ashamed of.

Olamide made these remarks on November 3 at The Pod by Nile Luxury Cinemas. He expressed his pride in his Yoruba roots and highlighted the importance of appreciating Nigerian culture and traditions. He stated, “Our culture and tradition are not diabolical, and they are not to be demonised.”

During his speech, he used black soap, known locally as ose dudu, as an example of cultural identity. He proudly declared, “If you give me black soap, I’ll gladly collect it and use it.” Dressed in a colorful adire outfit, he spoke about how traditional African practices are often misunderstood.

Olamide has built much of his musical career around Yoruba language and sounds, blending traditional storytelling with modern hip-hop and Afrobeats. His artists, including Adekunle Gold, Lil Kesh, and Asake, also incorporate indigenous languages and cultural expressions into their music, helping to promote Nigerian heritage.

His comments highlight ongoing discussions about how traditional African practices are viewed, especially when they are associated with superstition or spirituality. Black soap is commonly used for skincare but is sometimes linked to spiritual beliefs.