Asake

Born Ahmed Ololade in Lagos, Nigeria, Asake has established himself since the early 2020s in a register that blends Afrobeats, Nigerian street pop, hip-hop, and Yoruba fuji references. Trained in theatre and dramatic arts at Obafemi Awolowo University, he develops a highly rhythmic vocal style, often in Yoruba, English, and pidgin, with shouted refrains, dense percussion, and an energy borrowed as much from Lagos pop as from local traditions. After several singles released from 2018 onward, Asake scaled up in 2022 with the Ololade EP, driven by “Omo Ope” with Olamide and “Sungba”, shortly before his signing with YBNL. This same dynamic continued with the albums Mr. Money with the Vibe (2022), Work of Art (2023) and Lungu Boy (2024), expanding his audience well beyond Nigeria. Asake has also multiplied notable collaborations, notably with Olamide, Burna Boy, Fireboy DML, Wizkid, and Central Cee, while on stage establishing a format tailored for large international venues, from Lagos to London and New York.