Adebayo Ayodeji Oladele, better known as DayGenius, isn’t just a creator; he’s a vital, and often controversial, pulse check for Nigerian Hip-Hop. Blending critical analysis, event curation, and raw digital commentary, DayGenius has built a following based on speaking his truth—even if it means getting mass-reported and banned multiple times.
We sat down with the self-styled “Genius” to break down the different layers of rap, why he never seeks “balance,” and his ambitious plan to push Nigerian Hip-Hop to the top of the food chain.
The Genius Guide to Rap: Vibe vs. Lyrical
For DayGenius, years of curating and reviewing battle rap events have crystallized a crucial distinction that many fans miss:
“I started to understand that battle rap, most especially lyrical rap, is different from musical rap.“
He explains that not every rapper needs to talk intellectually. He makes a clear delineation:
- Lyricists: Those who hone their craft majorly around complex bars and structure.
- MCs: A middle ground, masters of ceremony.
- Rappers: Those who make good vibe music, focused on making you move and feel.
He uses artists like Jeriq to prove his point: “I don’t understand what he’s saying in Igbo, but I enjoy the music, the vibe, the emotion. So we have lyricists, MCs, and rappers—it’s okay to be a rapper.” This deep perspective is his biggest impact on the community: people now understand the difference between battle rap (the battling aspect) and a rap battle (a competition).
The Art of Not Balancing: Real Life vs. Passion
DayGenius has a simple, refreshing take on managing his digital presence, family life, and career: He doesn’t balance them; he prioritizes what matters.
“My private life’s normal time with my son, my wife, going to work, earning salary. That’s life. The rest? Fun. If I feel like doing an event, I do. If not, I focus on what matters.”
This commitment to honesty extends to his controversial opinions. When asked about account suspensions—he’s on his fourth Twitter and third Instagram—he remains unfazed. His secret to motivation? He doesn’t do it for clout.
“I don’t care, they think it’ll hurt me, nah. If you’re real, people see it. DayGenius is known by real hip-hop heads, they know I speak truth without insulting artists. Report all you want, I make new ones and go again.”
The Mission: Fun, Knowledge, and the Lekki Mansion
Beyond the reviews, DayGenius’s platform is rooted in two core principles:
1. The Global Lesson
He recounts how studying the lyrics of battle rapper Real S-KH, who discusses his religion Sikhism, led DayGenius to appreciate other faiths. “Watching battles taught me that,” he says, proving that rap can be an unexpected source of profound knowledge.
2. The Electric Moment
His most surreal moment came not from a massive online reaction, but from a powerful live reaction during a battle in Ghana: “I battled in Ghana, kicked this punchline: ‘Sex education, I’m about to teach you a fucking lesson.’ The Ghanaians lost it and reacted wildly.” That simple, electrifying energy is what drives him.
His ultimate conviction is straightforward: “Just enjoy rap, enjoy hip-hop, have fun with it… I want people to go on a journey with me.”
But his passion has a larger, monetary goal:
“I want hip-hop back on top in Nigeria, number one or two genre. Rappers buying houses in Lekki, Lambos, private jets. They do insane brainwork, some pour everything into bars. I want my faves to shine, not starve. That’s why.”
What’s Cooking: The DayGenius Slate
DayGenius is not slowing down. He revealed several major projects on the horizon:
- Freestyle Series: A new series inviting rappers he rates to his studio to “spit raw freestyles.”
- Podcast Run: Heading to Abuja for a big run, linking up with heavyweights like Hotyce, President Zik, Anayor, and hopefully Jesse Jagz.
- Battle Rap Events: Next year is set to bring major battle rap content, including World War 4 and On a Platter of Bars 3.
- Underground Focus: Locking in to do a lot more reactions focused on underground rappers, “giving flowers to the ones grinding in the shadows.”
For DayGenius, every ban is just an opportunity to start the conversation again. As he says, “A lot is cooking, trust me. You feel me?”
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