"Who You Epp?" is a song by Nigerian rapper Olamide. It was released on 2 April 2016 and was produced by Shizzi.[1] The song gained traction from an open-verse challenge, where the rapper left 16 bars remaining in the song, for artists to add their own vocals to it. Many artists participated, whether mainstream or non-mainstream artists. Phyno collaborated with Olamide for the official remix of "Who You Epp?," and Wande Coal's verse was later added. Olamide won Best Street-Hop Artiste for the song at the 2016 edition of the Headies.[2]
| "Who You Epp?" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Olamide | ||||
| Released | 2 April 2016 (original) 3 April 2016 (Phyno remix) 26 April 2016 (Phyno and Wande Coal remix) | |||
| Recorded | 2016 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:40 | |||
| Label | YBNL Nation | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Olamide Adedeji | |||
| Producer(s) | Shizzi | |||
| Olamide singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Background
editOlamide met Nigerian record producer Shizzi while on his United States tour in Atlanta, and they collaborated on a freestyle titled "Who You Epp?." The track was intended as a light, informal freestyle with no specific meaning. Olamide left 16 bars open at the end of the song, encouraging other artists and fans to add their own verses, which contributed to the song's popularity as an open-verse challenge.[3]
#WhoYouEpp challenge
editOn 6 April 2016, Olamide partnered with the music website NotJustOk to launch the Olamide #WhoYouEpp competition, aimed at supporting up-and-coming artists. The competition centered around the freestyle track "Who You Epp?," and participants were required to record their own freestyle over the 16-bar space left open by Olamide. Entrants could download the instrumental from the NotJustOk website and upload their recordings. The top ten entries, selected through public voting, advanced to the semi-final stage. The winner of the competition was promised a free collaboration with Olamide, a free instrumental (funded by Olamide), and a music video directed by Mr. Moe Musa. The submission deadline was 15 April 2016.[4][5] Notable artists who participated include Chinko Ekun,[6] Ruggedman,[7] Ayo Jay,[8] Reminisce,[9] Mz Kiss,[10] among other acts.
Remixes
editThe day after the release of "Who You Epp?," fellow Nigerian rapper Phyno released his version of the song.[11] Later, on 26 April 2016, Olamide released the official remix and added Wande Coal's verse.[12] The music video for the remix of "Who You Epp?" was directed by Sesan.[13]
Accolades
edit| Organization | Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Headies | 2016 | Best Street-Hop Artiste | Won | [2] |
| Soundcity MVP Awards Festival | 2016 | Song of the Year | Won | [14] |
| Best Collaboration | Nominated | |||
| Listeners Choice | Nominated |
Personnel
edit- Olamide Adedeji - vocals, writer
- Oluwaseyi Akerele - production
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format | Label | Version |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 2 April 2016 | Digital download | YBNL Nation | Original |
| 3 April 2016 | Digital download | YBNL Nation | Phyno remix | |
| 26 April 2016 | Digital download | YBNL Nation | Phyno and Wande Coal remix |
References
edit- ^ Abiola (4 April 2016). "Olamide - 'Who you epp'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
- ^ a b "2016 Winners". The Headies. 18 March 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
- ^ Ovie O (2 April 2016). "EXCLUSIVE: Olamide - Who You Epp? (freestyle) prod. Shizzi". NotJustOk. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
- ^ "Nigeria: Olamide, Notjustok Unveil #whoyouepp Competition". allAfrica. 17 April 2016. Archived from the original on 22 April 2016. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
- ^ Showemimo, Adedayo (6 April 2016). "All you need to know about Olamide #WhoYouEpp Competition!". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
- ^ Abiola (7 April 2016). "Chinko Ekun, Olamide - 'Who you epp'(freestyle)". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
- ^ Adegoke, Pamilerin (7 October 2016). "Have you seen Ruggedman's video for Olamide's 'Who You Epp'?". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
- ^ Idowu, Tomi (5 May 2016). "Music: Who You Epp: Olamide x AyoJay". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Retrieved 8 October 2024.
- ^ Abiola (5 April 2016). "Reminisce, Olamide - 'Who you epp' (freestyle)". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
- ^ Abiola (5 April 2016). "Olamide, Mz Kiss - 'Who you epp'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
- ^ Idowu, Tomi (3 April 2016). "Music: Who You Epp: Olamide x Phyno". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Retrieved 8 October 2024.
- ^ Abiola (26 April 2016). "Wande Coal, Phyno, Olamide - 'Who you epp'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
- ^ Akin-Bankole, Feyikemi (30 May 2016). "Video: Who You Epp – Olamide ft. Phyno & Wande Coal". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Retrieved 8 October 2024.
- ^ Ovie O (30 December 2016). "Tekno, Wizkid, Yemi Alade, Mr Eazi, Kiss Daniel Crowned @ #SoundcityMVP2016 (Full Winners List)". NotJustOk. Retrieved 8 October 2024.