Jazz percussionist and musician, Lekan Babalola, says rapper Olamide is the “Fela of Afropop”.

The Grammy award-winner said of this generation of new acts, Olamide is breaking that gate of class down.

Describing the YBNL boss as his “guy” the 58-year-old said, “Olamide is that Bob Maley when [the music hits you, you feel no pain”.

The founder of Eko Brass Band said the street appeal of the “Science student” crooner comes from his simplicity and playfulness.

He revealed this to TheCable Lifestyle in a yet to be published interview. He said,

“Of this generation of new acts, Olamide is “breaking that gate” of class down.

“I just think the guy is bad. I think Olamide is Fela Afropop.

“I think Olamide, he doesn’t say much.

“Olamide is that Bob Maley – when [the] music hits you, you feel no pain. Olamide is the guy for me.”

Babalola also said he loves Afropop genre and wants to bring his fellow musicians into the Afro-pop world.

“I love the groove. My house, my children. That’s what the whole world is listening to.

“What I find limiting at the moment is that everything is drum machine sound. It is not human playing. And I want to be able to bring my musicians, fellow musicians, into the Afro-pop world.

“I think it would be a great collaboration because we are musicians and they too are artistes who have used technology to the best advantage. So I think a combination of both, we will create something magnificent.”