If there is one Nigerian music label that has given fans enough hit songs to keep a December party going until the following morning, it is arguably YBNL Nation. And its founder, Olamide, appears ready to remind everyone how the movement became such a big deal.
The Nigerian rapper has announced a special reunion concert featuring some of the biggest names, both past and present, associated with his record label, bringing together artistes whose careers helped shape different eras of the YBNL movement.
Tagged YBNL: The Reunion, the concert will take place on December 18, 2026, as part of Future Fest 2026 in Lagos. The star-studded lineup includes Olamide, Adekunle Gold, Lil Kesh, Fireboy DML, Young Jonn, music producer Pheelz and DJ Enimoney. 
For fans who remember when YBNL practically had a monopoly on Nigerian street-hop playlists, the announcement offers a chance to relive some of the label’s most memorable musical moments.
And considering the number of hit records associated with these names, December 18 could turn into one very loud nostalgia trip.
Olamide brings former and current YBNL stars together
Olamide’s reunion announcement brings together artistes who contributed to the label’s development at different stages.
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Adekunle Gold and Lil Kesh represent an earlier generation of YBNL acts. Adekunle Gold gained widespread recognition with his 2015 hit ‘Sade’ before releasing his debut album, Gold, in 2016.
Lil Kesh, meanwhile, became a street-hop favourite with records such as ‘Shoki’, ‘Efejoku’ and ‘Gbese’. His energetic delivery and string of popular releases helped establish YBNL’s influence among younger Nigerian music audiences.
Fireboy DML represents a later chapter of the label’s success. After joining YBNL in 2018, he broke through with his 2019 debut album, Laughter, Tears & Goosebumps, which produced popular records including ‘Jealous’, ‘What If I Say’ and ‘King’.
Young Jonn and Pheelz also played important roles in shaping the label’s sound through their production work before establishing themselves as recording artistes.
DJ Enimoney, Olamide’s younger brother, completes the lineup, having served as a familiar face behind the decks during the label’s rise.
The concert will reportedly hold at Oasis Ground, Coastal Road, Victoria Island, Lagos.
How Baddo built YBNL into a Nigerian music powerhouse
Founded in 2012, YBNL Nation, meaning Yahoo Boy No Laptop Nation, started as Olamide’s attempt to turn his musical success into a sustainable business.
In an interview with Apple Music’s Africa Now Radio, reported by The Nation in 2023, the rapper, a.k.a. Baddo explained that financial struggles, popularly described as ‘sapa’, influenced his decision to establish the label.
Rather than spend his earnings extravagantly, Olamide wanted to reinvest in the music business and create opportunities for emerging talents.
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That decision proved particularly successful. Over the years, YBNL became a launching pad for several Nigerian artistes, including Adekunle Gold, Lil Kesh, Fireboy DML and Asake.
The label also benefited from the production contributions of Pheelz and Young Jonn, whose work helped define some of the sounds that dominated Nigerian music.
Interestingly, several of these artistes have since developed independent careers, built international audiences and established identities beyond their association with Olamide.
Olamide’s YBNL reunion comes ahead of London O2 concert
The reunion announcement also arrives during an eventful period for Olamide’s career.
NBG Africa had previously reported that the rapper is preparing to headline London’s iconic O2 Arena on March 25, 2027, marking another major milestone in his international music journey. The venue’s official website describes the performance as the biggest London headline show of his career, with a setlist expected to cover different stages of his musical evolution.
However, before taking his catalogue to London, Olamide appears keen to celebrate the people and musical relationships that helped build his empire.
For longtime YBNL fans, the December reunion could provide something special: the opportunity to see familiar voices from different generations share one stage again.
Whether the artistes revisit their old collaborations or simply deliver individual performances, one thing is certain: Olamide is bringing a sizeable portion of Nigerian music nostalgia to Lagos this December.
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