Yhemolee in the Multiverse of Creativity
From the depths of the darkest nights, a figure emerges, destined to become the lord of the night… the crowd controller and leader of the outsiders: Yhemo Lee, AKA Olowo Eko. He takes us on a journey beyond the night, where he unravels layers of himself that haven’t been explored before.
Yhemo Lee’s real name is Idowu Adeyemi. He is renowned for his nightlife business and has significantly influenced the nightlife scene in Nigeria. He can be seen as the pioneer of the current nightlife wave across the country.
Although widely known as the “Nightlife guy,” there’s much more to him than meets the eye. Over the last few years, he has landed major roles in blockbuster films such as ‘Gangs of Lagos’ and made runway appearances for Ashluxe’s Kalakuta Republic Collection. Additionally, he has invested in a number of businesses.
In recent times, Yhemo Lee has focused on the fashion industry and is set to unveil his personal brand, “YL.” He believes that this chapter of his life will reveal a more refined version of himself. The YL brand is set to release an underwear line and luxury caps in the coming months, with their price range starting at $200. “YL” is projected to be one of the leading fashion brands in the Nigerian fashion scene and the world at large.
The rise of Yhemo Lee may seem like a mystery to most because he established himself in an industry that wasn’t seen as “conventional” at the time — the nightlife industry. His journey can be traced back to Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), where he was an active socialite, organizing shows and parties across the school. He hosted some of the biggest shows across the university, featuring notable artists like Wizkid, D’banj, Davido, and Mayorkun.
In his words:
“When I think about Obafemi Awolowo University, I remember it all started here. I hosted the biggest shows across the school. I remember Timi Agbage, ‘the Liar.’ In my set, Wizkid came twice, D’banj, Davido, Mayor 101… I had so much entertainment experience back in school that by the time I got out, I could hold the mic and face any crowd!”
Yhemo Lee officially kicked off his nightlife journey with “Ultra Luxury Party” in 2021 and became the showrunner for a number of clubs at the time: Cubana, Pluto, DNA, BayRock, and more. He tells us:
“People think I own them (the clubs). I work Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. I go to the club four times a week. Some call me the King of nightlife. There’s so much competition here. I know that for nightlife, nobody has ever done it like me.”
Yhemo Lee’s time in Obafemi Awolowo University is known for producing one of the most talented groups the university has ever seen. The list includes names like Fireboy, Asake, Blaqbonez, Superboycheque, Arole, and Chinko Ekun. Their set established OAU as one of the biggest talent hubs in the Nigerian space.
Yhemo Lee’s relationship with Asake is particularly noteworthy due to the impact they’ve had on each other. He says:
“Asake and I met during a football match back in uni… I developed a likeness for him because of his energy, we clicked.”
When Asake began making music, Yhemo Lee supported him by booking him for shows and acting as his hype man during performances. Yhemo Lee’s established network helped Asake connect with Olamide, propelling his career forward
NTS: You and Rahmon Jago are more or less like “family”. How did you guys meet?
Yhemo Lee: “It’s like asking how Ronaldo and Messi met; it was unavoidable. Jago, just like myself, is an outsider. We met in a club. He saw some of my videos online, and we clicked. JAGO is someone I respect so much; he made me realize that even if you’re from the slum, you can still get to the top!”
NTS: Is there anyone you can say, “Paved the way” for you?
Yhemo Lee: “I’m not trying to shade anyone, but I don’t think anyone paved the way for me. The only person I worked with who ‘helped’ me was Arole. I walked with him a lot when I first started, and that did a lot for me. Nobody motivated me into this nightlife scene.
“I’ll forever credit Obafemi Awolowo University for where I am today; like I said, it all started there and I’m forever grateful. I look forward to giving back to the community (OAU).”
Yhemo Lee continues to evolve by delving into various facets of the creative and entertainment space. In the coming months, he aims to expand his reach as an actor, model, lifestyle influencer, and creative director for his forthcoming brand. He is also currently working on his first feature film as the producer.
Yhemo Lee is a true testament to the notion that hard work pays off. Just stay true to your path and self, and it will all work out.
