Naija’s soulful storyteller Oladapo is back with a bang, gifting the world his brand-new project “IN CASE I NEVER LOVE AGAIN (ICINLA)”—a 10-track emotional rollercoaster designed for anyone who’s ever loved, lost, or lingered in the pain of unspoken feelings. This project isn’t just music; it’s a diary cracked open, a catharsis for the wounded and the hopeful.
The album kicks off with the evocative “ELEVATOR PITCH,” quickly pulling you into Oladapo’s world of raw vulnerability and human connection. Each track is a chapter: from the heart-thumping spark of “PERFECT TIMING” to the late-night doubts of “IF AT ALL,” Oladapo bares his soul, inviting listeners to sit with their own heartbreak and healing.
In “KILODE,” he breaks down the walls, exposing the fragile dance between authenticity and ego, while “BOMBOY” zooms in on the human need for love and understanding, no matter how complicated it gets. “VOICENOTE” serves as a bridge across emotional distances, and “TEXT” perfectly bottles the magnetic, addictive pull of digital-age connection.
The heartbreak peaks on “BREAK UP”—a song so honest you’ll feel it in your bones—before “REPLACE ME” serves up a dose of emotional freedom and self-discovery. Oladapo wraps it all up with “OVER AGAIN,” a track drenched in wisdom, resilience, and the willingness to embrace love’s wild highs and devastating lows one more time.
Sitting down with Wordplay Magazine, Oladapo shared the roots of his artistry: “I listened to a lot of Fela and Lagbaja growing up… never thought I’d be someone in the spotlight.” He shouts out musical heroes like Wizkid, Ayra Starr, Brent Faiyaz, Q, and Tems as future dream collaborators. And yes, this project is just “episode 1” in a larger series—expect more sonic storytelling ahead.
Describing his sound, Oladapo says, “It’s a sweet spot where all diverse music lovers can sit and have a chat. It’s intimate, real, and unapologetic.” For aspiring artists, his advice? “Be true to yourself, be ready to fail, be comfortable in the fact that people will laugh at you and see no value. It’s fun proving them wrong.”
Currently vibing to Burna Boy, Asake, TMX002, and Tay Iwar, Oladapo is a student of Afrobeats’ new wave and a chef in his own right—“Plan music, cook, eat, hang out… I’m not outside unless it’s food.”
His proudest moment so far? “Performing my hit single ‘Proud’ to a crowd of screaming fans in Uganda this new year as an independent artist. I’m always grateful to God for that.”
With “ICINLA,” Oladapo stands tall as one of the most authentic voices of the new Nigerian sound—inviting the world to heal, groove, and grow with him. Plug in and let the healing begin.
