In the ever-evolving landscape of Nigerian music, Asake has emerged as a dynamic and vibrant force, captivating audiences with his distinctive sound, infectious energy, and undeniable talent. With a string of hit singles and collaborations,
Asake has quickly risen through the ranks to establish himself as one of the most exciting artists to watch in the Nigerian music industry. Asake’s journey from a young aspiring artist to a chart-topping sensation is a testament to his talent, determination, and unwavering commitment to his musical vision.
His distinctive sound, infectious energy, and charismatic presence have endeared him to fans around the world, earning him accolades and recognition as one of the most exciting artists to watch in the Nigerian music industry. As Asake continues to evolve as an artist and push musical boundaries, audiences around the world eagerly anticipate the next chapter in his musical journey, celebrating a true musical prodigy and a shining star of Afrobeat.
With this article from Naijassador, let’s delve into the life, career, and musical journey of Asake, celebrating his contributions to the vibrant world of Afrobeat and his ascent to stardom.
Early life
Ahmed Ololade aka Mr Money who is professionally known as Asake was born on January 13, 1995, in Lagos State Nigeria. The singer chose his stage name to pay homage to his mother whose first name is Asake. He was raised in a religious family who are Muslims. Asake’s father is a business owner while his mother is a teacher. There are no details about his siblings and his early education in the media.
Education
Asake studied Theatre and Dramatic Arts at Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria. Asake’s passion for music was ignited at a young age, inspired by the rich musical tapestry of his cultural heritage and the diverse sounds of Afrobeat, Highlife, and Hip-Hop that permeated the streets of Lagos.
His innate musical talent and relentless dedication to his craft set him on a path toward a promising music career, as he honed his skills and developed his unique sound, drawing inspiration from both traditional and contemporary musical influences.
Career
Asake’s breakout moment came with the release of his chart-topping single, “Mr Money,” a catchy and infectious anthem that quickly became a club favorite and garnered widespread acclaim from fans and critics alike.
The song’s irresistible melody, vibrant production, and Asake’s charismatic vocals showcased his ability to craft a hit song that resonated with audiences and solidified his status as a rising star in the Nigerian music scene. “Mr Money” was a testament to Asake’s talent and potential, setting the stage for a series of exciting projects and collaborations.
Long before he made it to the limelight and became a successful artist, Asake has been writing his songs and singing since 2015. He was once a backup singer on Nigerian comedian and singer Broda Shaggi’s band.
Together with Broda Shaggi he wrote and sang the song “Star” in 2019. The song was a mild success and quite popular for skit making. Asake released his hit song “Lady,” and it immediately became a more successful release. The song also went viral on social media and soon gained the attention of celebrities.
Asake’s genre of music is often mixed with uptempo Afro and Amapiano-styled production. While some listeners have described his style of music as similar to fuji due to his use of Yoruba slang. Asake is also noted for the use of backing vocals in his songs.
One of Asake’s strengths as an artist lies in his versatility and ability to collaborate with a diverse range of artists and producers, creating a unique blend of sounds and styles that appeal to a global audience. His collaborations with renowned artists, including Olamide and Zlatan, have yielded chart-topping hits and further cemented his reputation as a versatile and dynamic artist. Asake’s ability to seamlessly blend genres and push musical boundaries reflects his commitment to innovation, creativity, and artistic excellence.
Asake’s meteoric rise to stardom shows no signs of slowing down, as he continues to captivate audiences with his electrifying performances, infectious energy, and unparalleled musical talent. With a series of exciting projects on the horizon, including the release of his highly anticipated debut album, Asake is poised to make an even greater impact on the global music scene, showcasing his unique sound and captivating audiences around the world. His unwavering dedication to his craft, coupled with his passion for music and commitment to excellence, ensures that Asake will continue to shine brightly as a true musical gem and a beacon of inspiration for aspiring artists everywhere.
Asake Songs and Albums
In the dynamic realm of Nigerian music, Asake has carved a distinctive niche for himself, captivating audiences with his infectious melodies, vibrant rhythms, and charismatic persona. With a repertoire of chart-topping singles and collaborations, Asake has quickly ascended to the forefront of the Afrobeat scene, earning acclaim for his unique sound and innovative approach to music.
Mr. Money
Asake’s breakout single, “Mr Money,” is a high-energy anthem that showcases his infectious charisma and dynamic vocal prowess. The song’s catchy hook, vibrant production, and memorable lyrics quickly resonated with audiences, earning “Mr Money” widespread acclaim and cementing its status as a club and radio favorite.
Sungba Remix ft. Burna Boy
Collaborating with Afrobeat heavyweight Burna Boy, Asake delivered a remix of his hit single “Sungba” that further elevated his profile and expanded his fanbase. The song’s hypnotic beat, captivating melodies, and powerful lyrics reflect Asake’s ability to craft a compelling narrative and create music that transcends borders.
Don’t Hype Me
Asake’s “Don’t Hype Me” is a testament to his versatility as an artist, as he effortlessly blends Afrobeat, Hip-Hop, and R&B influences to create a genre-defying anthem. The song’s introspective lyrics, soulful vocals, and infectious groove showcase Asake’s depth as a songwriter and his commitment to pushing musical boundaries.
Omo Ope
Omo Ope featuring Olamide (2022) and this song is a collaboration with Asake’s industry mentor, Olamide, became a massive hit, solidifying her place as a leading voice in Afrobeats. The song’s blend of traditional Fuji vibes and contemporary beats showcased Asake’s versatility and unique sound.
Peace Be unto Yor feat. Zlatan
This intro track sets the tone for the album, showcasing Asake’s introspective lyrics and ability to blend spiritual themes with modern Afropop production.
PBUY (Remix) feat. Pheelz & DJ Kaywise
This dancefloor anthem, a remix of Pheelz’s original, proved Asake’s ability to turn any track into a club banger, further solidifying her reputation as a party starter.
Recent Releases
Yoga (2023)
This single marked a shift in Asake’s sound, incorporating elements of amapiano and house music while still retaining her signature Afrobeats flair.
2:30 (2023)
This latest release further explores Asake’s experimental side, blending Afrobeats with alternative and R&B influences, showcasing her artistic growth and evolution.
While Asake has yet to release a full-length album, his prolific output of singles, collaborations, and EPs has solidified his reputation as a rising star in the Nigerian music scene. His ability to collaborate with a diverse range of artists and producers, including Olamide, Zlatan, and Burna Boy, reflects his versatility and his commitment to creating music that resonates with audiences across genres and cultures.
Asake’s meteoric rise to stardom shows no signs of slowing down, as he continues to captivate audiences with his electrifying performances and innovative approach to music. With a highly anticipated debut album on the horizon and a slew of exciting projects in the works, Asake is poised to make an even greater impact on the global music scene, showcasing his unique sound and captivating audiences around the world.
Awards and Nominations
Asake won Break Out Artist of the Year at the 2022 All Africa Music Awards. He was also nominated as the Best African Music Act at the 2022 MOBO Awards, and this became his first international recognition and award nomination. Asake was awarded the Best New International Act nomination at the 2023 BET Awards and was listed as number 5 on Rolling Stone Music’s Future 25 in the same year.
Asake became the owner of a brand-new car after winning the Next Rated category at the 2023 Headies Award on September 4, 2023. Going further in November 2023, Asake received his first nomination at the 66th Annual Grammy Award for “Amapiano” featuring his record label boss Olamide.
Asake won the Male MVP award at the Soundcity MVP Awards in February 2023. The award ceremony was held at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos. He also won the Best African Artist of the Year at the 2023 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards in May 2023.
Personal life
In 2023, the famous singer was spotted with a mystery lady boarding a speedboat. The singer has not been openly in any romantic relationship left many guessing that this could be his woman. Some of Asake’s female fans are not happy about the new development for the singer claiming they have been left heartbroken. He has not publicly debunked or confirmed the rumor yet.
In an interview Asake granted to Hip TV, the singer talked about how he became a member of the YBNL family. He mentioned that he begged his record label boss for two years before he eventually signed him on. A close friend of the singer, Yhemolee noted that he was the one who introduced Asake to YBNL boss, Olamide. Asake is quite proud of being a member of the YBNL record label and has indeed made his boss very proud.
Also in October 2023, Asake and fellow singers, Chike and Kizz Daniel were made the new brand ambassadors for telecommunications giant GLO. The brand ambassadors were unveiled at the company’s headquarters at Mile Adenuga Towers, Victoria Island in Lagos State, Nigeria. This has again added to the singer’s achievements and paved way for his musical career to continue to soar higher.
Asake’s popular song ‘Peace Be Unto You’ has a unique introduction with the phrase “epp me epp me, he dey carry me go where I no know.“ Asked did not come up with the phrase himself but it was attributed to the calls made by a Nigerian policewoman when she was allegedly being kidnapped by a motorist. The policewoman known as Helen Utabor began suffering some health issues when she was hit by a truck in 2023.
When popular comedian, I Go Save shared a video online showing the health condition of the ailing policewoman, Nigerians reached out to Asake to help out. This was because many claimed the singer owed the woman royalties for using her voice and phrase for his hit song and made millions from it.
Listening to the pleas for financial aid, the singer made a transfer of N5M to ailing policewoman. This was also confirmed by the comedian I Go Save. However, this nice gesture didn’t sit well with some people as they claimed Asake made a lot of money from the song in question and should have sent money more.
Net worth
Asake has an estimated net worth of between $1.2 million and $1.5 million. Hi major source of income is attributed to his musical career and brand endorsements.
Asake’s journey from a young aspiring artist in Lagos to a chart-topping sensation is a testament to his talent, determination, and unwavering commitment to his musical vision. His unique sound, infectious energy and charismatic presence have endeared him to fans around the world, earning him accolades and recognition as one of the most exciting artists to watch in the Nigerian music industry. As Asake continues to evolve as an artist and push musical boundaries, audiences around the world eagerly anticipate the next chapter in his musical journey, celebrating a true musical prodigy and a shining star of Afrobeat. Asake has won several awards and nominations both locally and on the international stage. There is so much the singer has to offer and accomplish. Just at 28, Asake paved a path for himself in the Nigerian music industry and the sky is just his starting point.
Things you should know about Asake, a Nigerian
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Written by Sarah Aboje
