When Ycee dropped “Condo” in May 2015, featuring Patoranking’s unmistakable vocal energy, the Nigerian music scene paused and took notice. The song announced him as a rapper who blended sharp lyricism with an infectious melodic sensibility that felt uniquely his own.
Two nominations at the 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards followed, then the release of “Jagaban” a couple of months later, and with Olamide on the remix, Ycee’s trajectory shifted from promising underground artist to certified mainstream force practically overnight.
Born Oludemilade Martin Alejo on 29 January 1993 in Festac Town, Lagos, Ycee is a Nigerian rapper, singer, and songwriter who has spent over a decade carving a distinct lane in Afrobeats and hip-hop.
His stage name, Ycee, is said to stand for “You Can’t Control My Energy”, a phrase that neatly captures his restless creative spirit and the independent streak that has defined his career choices.
From his early days on Tinny Entertainment to the founding of his own label, ANBT (Ain’t Nobody Badder Than), Ycee has consistently chosen artistic integrity over commercial shortcuts.
What makes Ycee’s story particularly compelling is its layered nature. He is a rapper who earned a university degree in marine biology, a performer who sold out the O2 Academy Islington in London, and a label boss who continues to nurture emerging talent from Lagos to the international stage.
His is a career defined by consistency, craft, and a refusal to be boxed in, qualities that have earned him a loyal fanbase both at home and across the African diaspora.
Profile
| Full Name | Oludemilade Martin Alejo |
| Stage/Brand Name | Ycee |
| Born | 29 January 1993 |
| Age | 32 years old |
| Birthplace | Festac Town, Lagos State, Nigeria |
| State of Origin | Lagos State |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Occupation | Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Record Label Owner |
| Height | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) |
| Relationship Status | In a relationship (not publicly disclosed) |
| Net Worth | $1–$2 million (estimated) |
Early Life
Oludemilade Martin Alejo was born on 29 January 1993 in Festac Town, a planned housing estate in Lagos State that has long been associated with creativity, community, and cultural vibrancy. He comes from a Yoruba family, giving him roots in the South-West of Nigeria.
Growing up in Festac Town, he was surrounded by the rich sonic landscape of Lagos, a city where music seeps through every alleyway, marketplace, and household.
As a teenager, Ycee consumed music voraciously, drawn particularly to hip-hop and rap. He spent time in his bedroom writing rhymes and performing them for family and close friends, building the kind of quiet confidence that would eventually carry him to stages across the world.
At secondary school, he began freestyling during lunch breaks, drawing admiring crowds and growing more convinced that music was where he belonged. Friends encouraged him to take his craft into a studio, and he began doing exactly that, visiting a recording studio near his family home to document his early work.
His upbringing in Festac Town, a place that blends the energy of Lagos with a strong sense of neighbourhood identity, clearly left its mark on his artistic voice. The area’s mix of working-class pride and cultural ambition is reflected in his music, grounded in real experience, but always reaching for something larger.
Education
Ycee completed his primary education at Dr. Soyemi Memorial Nursery and Primary School in Lagos. He proceeded to the Nigerian Navy Secondary School in Ojo for his secondary education. After completing secondary school, he gained admission to the University of Lagos, one of Nigeria’s most prestigious universities, where he studied marine biology. It was at this point in his life that he faced a genuine crossroads: music was already calling him, but so was the weight of academic expectation. He made the decision to briefly step away from music while at university, focusing on his degree before eventually re-entering the industry with a sharper sound and a clearer sense of purpose. He graduated with a B.Sc in Marine Biology, a credential that speaks to both his intellectual depth and his discipline.
Career
Ycee began his music career in 2012 as an underground rapper in Lagos, honing his skills and building a reputation in local circles. His early work caught the attention of Tinny Entertainment, one of Nigeria’s more ambitious independent labels, who signed him to a record deal. The signing came during the period when he was still navigating his academic commitments at the University of Lagos, leading him to take a brief hiatus from music while he completed his studies.
His return to music in 2015 was decisive. “Condo,” released in May of that year and featuring Patoranking, introduced him to a national audience and earned nominations for Best Collaboration of the Year and Best Music Video of the Year at the 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. The song demonstrated the template that would define his early career: sharp wordplay layered over infectious, danceable production, delivered with a confidence that belied his relative newness to the mainstream.
Two months later, “Jagaban” arrived and changed everything. The song, a swaggering, bass-heavy anthem that quickly became a club staple, received massive airplay across Nigeria and caught the ear of YBNL’s Olamide, who requested to be featured on the remix. Olamide’s co-sign was one of the most significant endorsements a young Nigerian rapper could receive at the time, and the “Jagaban” remix exploded across radio stations and streaming platforms. By the end of 2015, Ycee had also released “Omo Alhaji,” another crowd-pleaser that further demonstrated his ability to move between street-level rap and mainstream appeal. The “Omo Alhaji” remix the following year featured South African DJ Maphorisa, signalling his growing continental profile.
In October 2016, Ycee levelled up significantly by signing a record deal with Sony Music, one of the world’s largest labels, giving him access to distribution and marketing infrastructure that extended his reach beyond Africa. His debut EP, First Wave, an eight-track project released in 2017, showcased his range across hip-hop, Afrobeats, and R&B, and confirmed him as one of the most versatile artists of his generation. That same year, the single “Juice” featuring Maleek Berry became one of his biggest hits, a smooth, hypnotic record that climbed charts and earned him further international attention. In January 2018, he headlined a sold-out show at the O2 Academy Islington in London, a milestone that few Nigerian rappers had reached at that point, and a testament to the depth of his following in the diaspora. The event featured his Tinny Entertainment labelmates Bella Alubo, Sona, Eugy, Ms. Banks, and Flosha.
Later in 2018, he collaborated with Bella Alubo on the joint EP Late Night Vibrations, a mellow, late-night body of work that became a fan favourite for its mood and intimacy. His partnership with Bella also spoke to his ethos of mentorship and collaboration, as someone who had benefited from Olamide’s early support, Ycee became known for lifting up labelmates and offering features to emerging artists like Dapo Tuburna.
On 15 January 2019, Ycee announced via Instagram that he was departing Tinny Entertainment and simultaneously launched his own independent label, ANBT, an acronym for “Ain’t Nobody Badder Than.” The declaration was a bold statement of creative freedom. His debut studio album, Ycee vs Zaheer, followed on 8 November 2019, a project that blended hip-hop, trap, Afrobeats, Afro-house, hyphy, R&B, and alte into a cohesive whole. The album featured guest appearances from Davido, Niniola, Phyno, Ms. Banks, and Dapo Tuburna, and was received as a mature, ambitious body of work from a rapper who had clearly grown into himself.
Awards & Nominations
- Rookie of the Year — The Headies Awards
- Best African Hip-Hop — AFRIMA Awards
- Best Collaboration of the Year (nominated) — Nigeria Entertainment Awards 2015 (for “Condo”)
- Best Music Video of the Year (nominated) — Nigeria Entertainment Awards 2015 (for “Condo”)
- Revelation of the Year (nominated) — MTV Africa Music Awards 2015
- Best Artist in African Pop (nominated) — All Africa Music Awards 2015
- Next Rated (nominated) — The Headies 2016
- Best Collaboration (nominated) — Soundcity Awards
Social Media
Ycee is active on major social media platforms where he engages with his fanbase and shares updates on his music and lifestyle. His following reflects the strength of his brand both in Nigeria and across the diaspora.
- Instagram: @ycee
- X (Twitter): @Ycee
Personal Life
Ycee is known for maintaining a private personal life, particularly when it comes to his romantic relationships. He is currently believed to be in a serious relationship, though he has deliberately kept the identity of his partner away from public scrutiny. He has no children and has stated that he values his privacy in personal matters, preferring to let his music speak for itself rather than cultivating a tabloid-friendly persona.
His sense of style, a blend of streetwear and contemporary fashion, has earned him recognition as one of Nigeria’s more stylish artists, with his fashion choices frequently drawing attention on social media. Ycee stands at 6 feet tall and is known among peers for his sharp dress sense and composed public demeanour. He currently lives in Lagos, in an upscale apartment befitting his status as one of the country’s leading musical exports.
Net Worth
Ycee’s net worth is estimated at between $1 million and $2 million, derived from music sales, streaming royalties, live performance fees, endorsement deals, and his revenue as a label owner through ANBT.
During his time with Sony Music and Tinny Entertainment, he benefited from major label infrastructure and distribution.
His endorsement portfolio has included deals with Samson Telecom and Hennessy Nigeria, both of which have added meaningfully to his income.
As an independent artist running his own label, he now controls a larger share of his revenue streams, giving him both financial and creative autonomy as he continues to build his career on his own terms.
Discography
- Studio Albums:
- Ycee vs Zaheer (2019), debut studio album
- EPs:
- First Wave (2017), debut EP, 8 tracks
- Late Night Vibrations (2018), joint EP with Bella Alubo
- Notable Singles:
- “Condo” ft. Patoranking (2015)
- “Jagaban” (2015) / Remix ft. Olamide
- “Omo Alhaji” (2015) / Remix ft. DJ Maphorisa
- “Juice” ft. Maleek Berry (2017)
- “Say Bye Bye” ft. DJ Maphorisa
Conclusion
Ycee’s journey from bedroom rapper in Festac Town to headline act at the O2 Academy in London is a story that reflects the best of what Nigerian hip-hop can be, thoughtful, technically skilled, globally ambitious, and rooted in a genuine love for the art form.
He has never chased trends or compromised his sound for commercial approval, and it is that authenticity that has earned him the lasting respect of both fans and fellow artists.
With his own label, a growing body of work, and a fanbase that spans continents, Ycee’s next chapter promises to be as compelling as everything that has come before.
In a music industry that can be fickle and fast-moving, he has built something durable, a career grounded in craft, and a name that represents genuine quality in Nigerian rap.