Did Olamide's invitation of Yomi Sars to his #OLIC4 take anything away from his street advocate persona?
Olamide, inviting Yomi SARS to#OLIC4, was a gaffe the streets did not tolerate.
Respect:
I am not a fan of Olamide. I am not a fan of his music but I listen to his songs because my job demands I should. Still, I respect him. I respect his hustle, I respect his realness and the reverence that he commands in the street.
Without doubt, Olamide is a grass root hero, he is a Don in the street and a celebrated Lagos Prince. Nigerian social media users name Wizkid, Davido as the big name artistes but off social media, in roadside gatherings; the conversation would include Olamide.
The reason is, the street is Olamide’s constituency, the mainland is his domain and until the YOMI SARS’ stunt at #OLIC4, he was untouchable in the street. He has got madt street credibility and I genuinely believe he can fill up the 25,000 capacity Teslim Balogun Stadium (with proper publicity and planning).
Short history
Since Olamide started making music professionally in 2011, his support from fans has been on the rise and his influence has proportionately surged. He has made daring moves, led many movements, championed several campaigns and in of all these, his fans gave him their support without asking questions.
When he left Coded Tunes, his fans followed him with faith. During his short-lived spat with Don Jazzy, he got their support. His annual album release rite consistently enjoys their acceptance but not his move to invite Yomi SARS to his concert. Same Olamide who could do no wrong, received wide criticism for listing the infamous SARS officer among the performing artistes at his concert.
The big gaffe
Olamide is allowed to play to the tune of APC and flaunt his “godson of Ambode” status but he cannot endorse a Yomi SARS who is seen as symbol of oppression, especially not in the middle of an ongoing campaign against the SARS unit.
To Nigerians, it is an insult and they won’t take it, not even from their favourite son of the street.
People gathered in numbers to criticise Olamide, social media users condemned his action.
Nigerians came together to make a statement against him for being insensitive and to show that the #ENDSARS campaign is no joke. Nigerians on social media congregated to show that SARS officers are not welcome in civil gathering and the many sins of SARS officers (using Yomi SARS as an example) would not be forgotten, not even if he taps into Olamide’s goodwill.
Written by Ogbenj Lagbaja.
Ogbeni Lagbaja is a character created by a man who used to be an atheist; a man who was once in love, a man who once doubted himself. He can be reached via writelagbaja@gmail.com