Meet Arddie

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Arddie a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Arddie, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

I got my work ethic from doing it a lot and loving what i do. i love making music and i have been passionate about it since i was a kid. The lessons and knowledge i”ve gotten over the years help me to keep going and moving on.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Adeyemi Oluwadamilare Akinloye, known professionally as Arddie, is an artist passionate about blending diverse musical influences, including Hip Hop, Afrobeat, and Pop. As a multi-instrumentalist, he brings a unique edge to his sound, showcasing his talents in singing, saxophone, conga (hand drum), and drums. Originally from Lagos, Nigeria, Arddie moved to Canada at a young age, shaping his musical style by merging cultural influences from both countries. His foundation in Afrobeats, combined with North American Hip Hop and inspirations from artists like Wizkid and Eminem, has helped him craft a distinctive sound. In 2024, Arddie was honored to rank in the top 5 in both the American Next Hitmaker competition and the LMG Global Music Competition. Currently, he is working on his debut solo album, set for release in summer 2025, which will feature three collaboratively written tracks with Sly Skeeta. Arddie was selected by a jury to participate in the Manitoba Arts Network Emerging Artist Mentorship Program, led by Indigenous mentors MJ Dandeneau, Rik Leaf, and Rhonda Head. The program, which included eight online sessions and a live showcase in Brandon (2024), introduced them to industry professionals and rural presenters. The experience was a turning point in Arddie’s career, exposing him to the world of touring and showcasing while helping him build a strong network of emerging
and established artists. Through this mentorship, Arddie developed essential skills in touring, performance, and workshop delivery. Arddie is eager to learn and expand his impact as an artist. Before the program, he was unaware of the touring opportunities in rural Manitoba, Now, with a solid foundation, valuable mentorship, and newfound confidence, Arddie is ready to take the next step in his career—bringing his music to new audiences through touring and live performances.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

my number one quality that has brought me this far is my Dedication towards music. It keeps me going and make me strive for more and the second skill got is making a song. I love making songs as it makes me feel like a creator which feels good. i’m always happy whenever i make a song, because of that i always want to make more,
The third skill is Not giving up, a lot of people have told me to stop making music or told me that i was wasting my time most of which are my friends but because i know what i want, i don’t listen to them and i have gotten further than i was when i was with them.

My advise for the folks that are early in the game is for them not to stop, we all have those people that will try to make you feel less. All you do is stay focused

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

Take a deep breathe, this is a normal stage, look back on what made you start making music in the first place and reconnect with that positive energy and always stay positive no matter what and that how i overcame been overwhelmed

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Tap Legend Entertainment and co

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