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Asake

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Asake
Background information
Birth nameAhmed Ololade
Also known asMr. Money
Born (1995-01-13) 13 January 1995 (age 29)
Lagos State, Nigeria
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • rapper
  • songwriter
  • actor
  • dancer
InstrumentVocals
Years active2018–present
Labels

Ahmed Ololade (born 13 January 1995),[1] known professionally as Asake,[2] is a Nigerian singer, rapper and songwriter.[3][4][5] He is signed to YBNL Nation and Empire Distribution.[6][7] His stage name "Asake" is his mother's name.[8]

In September 2022, his debut album Mr. Money with the Vibe was released, breaking the record for the biggest opening day for an African album on Apple Music at the time. The album debuted at number 66 on the Billboard 200 chart and recorded the highest charting Nigerian debut album in the history of the chart at the time.[9][10] His sophomore album Work of Art was released in June 2023, becoming his second album to debut at number 66 on the Billboard 200.[11]

In 2020, Asake won Break Out Artist of the Year at the 2022[12] All Africa Music Awards, and was nominated as the Best African Music Act at the 2022 MOBO Awards, which marked his first international award nomination. In addition to that, he received Best New International Act nomination at the 2023 BET Awards, the same year he was listed number 5 on the Rolling Stone Music's Future 25.[13]

Asake walked home with a brand new car after winning the highly coveted Next Rated category at the 2023 Headies award on 4 September 2023.[14]

In November 2023, Asake received a Grammy Award nomination at the 66th Annual Grammy Award for "Amapiano" featuring Olamide.[15]

In January 2024, Asake received a nomination for the 55th NAACP Image Awards for his song "Amapiano".[16]

Career

[edit]

2017–2022: Career

[edit]

Asake studied Theatre and Dramatic Arts at Obafemi Awolowo University. His career took off in 2022 prior to releasing the single "Mr. Money",[17] followed by a remix with Zlatan and Peruzzi. In February 2022, fellow Nigerian artist Olamide signed Asake to his YBNL Records imprint.[18] That same month, he released his debut extended play, Ololade, which featured his breakthrough song "Omo Ope", featuring Olamide, and the single "Sungba" which was plugged by Olaitan Salaudeen.[19][20] In July 2022, Asake signed a distribution deal with Empire.[21][22]

2022–2023: Mr. Money with the Vibe and Work of Art

[edit]

Asake released his debut studio album, Mr. Money with the Vibe, on 8 September 2022. It was supported by the singles "Terminator", "Peace Be Unto You", and a remix of "Sungba" with Burna Boy. The album was well received by fans in his home country of Nigeria, as well as across the world, and broke several records globally.[23][24] The album debuted at number 66 on the Billboard 200.[25]

In September 2022, Asake announced the Mr. Money with the Vibe United Kingdom tour,[26] selling out 3 dates at the O2 Academy Brixton in London.[27] On the final date of the Brixton Academy shows, several people were critically injured during a crowd crush. Two people – 33-year-old Concertgoer Rebecca Ikumelo and 23-year-old security guard Gaby Hutchinson – later died of their injuries.[28][29]

In December 2022, Asake was crowned "artiste of the year" by "Audiomack" after his debut studio album Mr. Money with the Vibes amassed over 330 million streams, and was subsequently announced alongside Kizz Daniel, Snazzy the Optimist and 1ucid as one of the most streamed and top trending artists in February 2023 by the platform,[30][31] after releasing the single “Yoga” in January 2023 which ventured into sega music.[32] This was followed by the track "2:30" in April, and "Amapiano" with Olamide in May.[33]

His second studio album Work of Art was announced shortly after the release of "Amapiano".[34] In April 2023, Asake appeared on Good Morning America to discuss his music.[35] Asake released his second studio album, Work of Art, on 16 June 2023.[36] The album debuted at number 66 on the Billboard 200 with 13,000 units sold during its debut week.[11] The album also reached number 20 on the UK Albums Chart and number 59 on the Irish Albums Chart. The album was reported by Nigeria's TurnTable charts as the most streamed Nigerian album of 2023 so far.[37]Work of Art' became Asake's second album to receive a BRIT silver plaque after his debut album, 'Mr Money With The Vibes,' which also got a silver certification in the UK[38]

202c4–present: Lungu Boy album and Lungu Boy World Tour

[edit]

In June 2024, Asake announced a global tour titled, Lungu Boy World Tour in conjunction with the release of his third music album Lungu Boy.[39] In the continuity of its commercial success, Asake's 'Lungu Boy' logged 5 tracks in the top 10 of TurnTable Top 100.[40] Lungu Boy' also set a new record for the biggest opening day global streams for a Nigerian album on Spotify with 9.2 million streams. The album features prominent UK drill artists Central Cee and Stormzy on the tracks 'Wave' and 'Suru' as well as American rapper, Travis Scott on 'Active'.[41]

The second track of the album 'MMS' recorded 870,577 streams on its first day of release on Spotify Nigeria which sets a new record on the platform after surpassing the previous 626,000 streams set by Wizkid's 'IDK' feat Zlatan.[40]


Artistry

[edit]

Asake's distinctive musical style exhibits Afrobeats, dynamic rap street pop (also street hop),[42][43] fújì music (and other fuji-centered musical styles), Afro fusion and Nigerian pop. His music is often an amalgamation of traditional yoruba music and percussion spanning heterogeneous contemporary music. Asake's vocal style delivery, primarily in Yoruba merged with English, urban colloquial slang and Nigerian Pidgin, reflects Nigerian hip hop and fújì music influences.[44][45][43][46][36][47]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Awards Category Nominee Result Ref
2024 3Music Awards "Amapiano" African Song of the Year Pending [48]
Image Award Outstanding International Song Amapiano Nominated
BET Awards International Act Himself Nominated
Brit Awards International Artist Himself Nominated [49]
2023 BET Awards Best New International Act Himself Nominated
Mobo Awards Best African Act Himself Won
Soundcity MVP Awards Male MVP Himself Won [50]
Ghana Music Awards Best African Artist of the Year Himself Won [51]
The Headies Album of the Year "Mr. Money With The Vibe" Won [52]
Best Male Artist Himself Nominated
Song of the year Sungba Remix ft Burna boy Nominated
Next Rated Himself Won
Best Street-Hop Artist Joha Nominated
Best Collaboration Terminator Nominated
Headies Viewer's Choice Sungba Remix Nominated
Digital Artist of the Year Himself Nominated

Notable performances

[edit]

In September 2023, Asake became the first African artist to headline and sell out a concert at the New York City, Barclays Center.[53] In August 2023, he achieved a significant milestone by selling out the O2 Arena in London. He made a memorable entrance by arriving in a helicopter.[54] On February 1, 2024, Asake appeared on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, performing during the episode that aired on that date, reaching a broader American audience.[55]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
NGR
[56]
CAN
[57]
IRE
[58]
UK
[59]
US
[60]
Mr. Money with the Vibe 1 22 66
Work of Art
  • Released: 16 June 2023
  • Label: YNBL, Empire
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
1 59 20 66
Lungu Boy
  • Released: 9 August 2024
  • Label: YNBL, Empire
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
1 54 42
[62]
15 115
"—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory.

Extended plays

[edit]
Title EP details
Ololade
  • Released: 16 February 2022
  • Label: YBNL Nation, Empire
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Singles

[edit]

As lead artist

[edit]
List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Year Peak chart positions Certification Album
CAN
[63]
IRE
[64]
NZ Hot
[65]
UK
[59]
WW
[66]
UK Afro
[59]
US
Afro

[67]

</ref>

"Sungba"
(Solo or with Burna Boy)
2022 2 Mr. Money with the Vibe
"Peace Be Unto You (PBUY)" 2
  • TCSN: 3× Platinum[68]
"Bandana" 3 Playboy
"Terminator" 91 82 172 2 6
  • TCSN: 5× Platinum[68]
Mr. Money with the Vibe
"Loaded"
(with Tiwa Savage)
4 15 Where We Come From, Vol. 01
"Yoga" 2023 4 Work of Art
"2:30" 2
  • TCSN: 2× Platinum[68]
"Amapiano"
(with Olamide)
86 3
"New Religion"
(with Olamide)
Unruly
"Lonely at the Top"
(Solo or with H.E.R)
90 4
  • TCSN: 7× Platinum[68]
Work of Art
"Only Me" 2024 4 Non-album single
"Stubborn"
(with Victony)
Stubborn
"Wave"
(with Central Cee)
82 28 41 1 8 Lungu Boy
"Active"
(with Travis Scott)
95 88 29 58 176 1 1
"—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory.
[edit]
List of singles as featuring artist, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
UK
Afro
[59]
US
Afro

[67]
"Palazzo"
(Spinall featuring Asake)
2022 4 6 Top Boy
"Happiness"
(Sarz featuring Asake and Gunna)
2023 Non-album single
"—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory.

Other charted songs

[edit]
List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
UK
Afro
[59]
"Dull" 2022 7 Mr. Money with the Vibe
"Joha" 2
"No Competition"
(Davido featuring Asake)
2023 2 Timeless
"Basquiat" 5 Work of Art
"Remember" 11
"MMS"
(with Wizkid)
2024 1 Lungu Boy

Music videos

[edit]
List of music videos as lead and featured artist, showing year released and directors
Title Year Director(s)
"Omo Ope" (Asake featuring Olamide) 2022 Asher Kine[69]
"Sungba" (Asake) TG Omori[70]
"Sungba Remix" (Asake featuring Burna Boy) TG Omori[71]
"Palazzo" (DJ Spinall featuring Asake) TG Omori[72]
"Peace Be Unto You" (Asake) TG Omori
"Terminator" (Asake) TG Omori[73]
"Joha" (Asake) TG Omori[74]
"Loaded" (Tiwa Savage featuring Asake) TG Omori[75]
"Organise" (Asake) TG Omori[76]
"Yoga" 2023 TG Omori
"2:30" Joshua Valle & Edgar Esteves
"Amapiano" (Asake featuring Olamide) Jyde Ajala
"Basquiat" Joshua Valle & Edgar Esteves
“Remember” Joshua Valle [77][78]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Sare, Watimagbo (2022). "Asake Biography, Songs, & Albums". Allmusic. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  2. ^ "Asake Biography & Net Worth 2024".
  3. ^ Asake, Ola. "Wave Asake Mp3". Naija Pickup.
  4. ^ Subeditor (20 August 2022). "'Mr Money' Asake: Biography, Education, Songs, Girlfriend, Net Worth and Achievement". NewsWireNGR. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  5. ^ "Olamide inspires me with his knowledge of showbiz –Asake". Punch Newspaper. 3 June 2022. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  6. ^ Alake, Motolani (8 February 2022). "Olamide signs Asake to YBNL". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  7. ^ "American record label welcomes Asake to fold". The Nation Newspaper. 19 July 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  8. ^ Sare, Watimagbo (29 September 2022). "YBNL's Asake Reveals How He Got His Stage Name". Allnews.ng. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  9. ^ "Nigeria's Asake makes Apple Music history". Pulse Nigeria. 15 September 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  10. ^ "Asake's 'Mr Money With The Vibe' becomes the highest charting Nigerian debut album on Billboard". Revolt (TV network). Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  11. ^ a b "Asake records huge debut on Billboard 200 US chart with 'Work Of Art'". NotjustOk. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  12. ^ Trybe, City (17 October 2023). "Asake's record breaking career: The origin story of one of Gen Z's rising stars". Trybe City. ThatWriter_Ore. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  13. ^ "Meet Music's Future 25". Rolling Stone. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  14. ^ Itodo, Sunny Green (4 September 2023). "Rema, Asake, others win big at 2023 Headies Awards [Full List]". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  15. ^ "2024 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Full Nominees List | Grammy.com". www.grammy.com. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  16. ^ "Davido, Tems, Burna Boy, Asake, Pick Up NAACP Image Awards Nominations - Afrocritik". 26 January 2024. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  17. ^ "I've been paid ridiculous amounts, used without appreciation – Singer Asake". Punch Newspapers. 29 June 2022. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  18. ^ "Asake Revealed How He Was Signed To YBNL". Cool FM - Your Number One Hit Music Station !.
  19. ^ "YBNL's Asake Releases Visuals To Sungba | WATCH". NotjustOk. 4 March 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  20. ^ Onikoyi, Ayo. "YBNL music plugger, Sheriff Olaitan Salaudeen celebrates Asake's ascent to stardom". Vanguard. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
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  22. ^ Chukwuemeka, Jude. "Asake Joins Empire Distribution Music Label". Cool FM. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
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  25. ^ Ayodele, Racheal (7 January 2023). "Asake's MMWTV becomes highest charting debut Nigerian album in Billboard history". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
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  27. ^ "Asake sells out O2 London show in minutes". 30 September 2022.
  28. ^ "Brixton Academy: Mother of two dies after Asake concert crush". BBC News. 17 December 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  29. ^ Evans, Martin (19 December 2022). "Security guard caught in Brixton Academy crush at Asake gig dies". The Telegraph. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  30. ^ "Asake named Audiomack 'Artiste of the Year'". TheCable Lifestyle. 15 December 2022. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  31. ^ "Audiomack Announces 1UCID, Asake, Snazzy The Optimist on Trending Songs of the Week - THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  32. ^ Eze, Chinelo (6 February 2023). ""Yoga": Asake Picks Up New Enemies and New Rhythms". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  33. ^ "Afrobeats Artist Asake Drops New Self-Love Track "2:30"". Hypebeast. 5 April 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  34. ^ "Asake to release new album Work of Art next month". The FADER. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  35. ^ "Nigerian Afrobeats singer Asake talks about his music journey". Good Morning America. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  36. ^ a b Petridis, Alexis (15 June 2023). "Asake: Work of Art review – Nigerian star's brilliance means every track could be a single". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  37. ^ "The most streamed Nigerian album of 2023 so far". NotjustOk. 18 August 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  38. ^ "Asake gets BRIT Silver plaque for 'Work of Art' | Pulse Nigeria". www.pulse.ng. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  39. ^ Mamo, Heran (10 June 2024). "Asake Announces Lungu Boy World Tour: Here Are the Dates". Billboard. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
  40. ^ a b Adebiyi, Adeayo (21 August 2024). "'Lungu Boy' logs 5 entries in the top 10 of Nigeria's foremost music chart". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  41. ^ Lungu Boy by Asake on Apple Music, 9 August 2024, retrieved 5 September 2024
  42. ^ "The rise of street-hop, Lagos' evolving dance sound". DJ Mag. 15 April 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
  43. ^ a b C.J, Nelson (9 September 2022). "Asake Is Pumping Nigerian Street-Pop Full of New Life. Next Stop: 'Greatness'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
  44. ^ "Asake Teases Brand New Single 'Terminator'". The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News. 25 July 2022. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  45. ^ Esomnofu, Emmanuel (21 June 2022). "Asake, Burna Boy & the trend of anthemic choruses across Nigerian Pop". The NATIVE. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
  46. ^ "'Them Never See Me Coming': The Captivating Rise of Asake's Music". The Republic. 27 December 2022. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  47. ^ Lee, Lauren (22 September 2023). "How Asake developed a boundary-pushing sound that's changing Afrobeats as we know it". CNN. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
  48. ^ Osei - Mensah, Jephthah Nana Adjei (10 August 2024). "3Music Awards 2024 Announces African Song of the Year". 3Music Awards. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  49. ^ music, Guardian (2 March 2024). "Brit awards 2024 – full list of winners". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  50. ^ "Burnaboy, Black Sherif, Win At The Soundcity MVP Awards 2023 (FULL WINNERS LIST)". African Folder. 12 February 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  51. ^ "Asake wins Best African Artist at 2023 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards [See Full Winners List]". Pulse Nigeria. 8 May 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  52. ^ "Headies 2023: Burna Boy, Rema, Asake, win big in US [Full winners list]". Daily Trust. 4 September 2023. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  53. ^ Fofana, Oumou. "Asake is now the first Afrobeats artist to headline and sell out Barclays Center". REVOLT. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
  54. ^ "VIDEO: Asake makes grand entrance in helicopter at London O2 Arena show". Vanguard. 21 August 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  55. ^ "Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 9 Episode 47". CBS. 1 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  56. ^ "Asake's Mr Money with the Vibe is the First No. 1 Album on an Aggregated Albums Chart in Nigeria". turntablecharts.com. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  57. ^ "Billboard Canadian Albums: Week of August 24, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  58. ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". www.irma.ie. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  59. ^ a b c d e Peaks in the OCC charts:
  60. ^ "Billboard 200™". Billboard. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  61. ^ a b c "British certifications – Asake". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 20 November 2024. Type Asake in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  62. ^ "Top 100 Artist Album, Week Ending 16 August 2024". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  63. ^ tolsen (2 January 2013). "Billboard Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  64. ^ "IRMA - Irish Charts". www.irma.ie. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  65. ^ "Asake Active". THE OFFICIAL NZ MUSIC CHART. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  66. ^ "Travis Scott | Biography, Music & News". Billboard. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  67. ^ a b Peaks on US Afrobeats:
  68. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Nigeria certifications". TurnTable. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  69. ^ "Asake and Olamide joins forces in 'Omo Ope'". KemiFilani. 16 February 2022. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  70. ^ "Asake drops the visuals to 'Sungba'". The PGM Club. 4 March 2022. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  71. ^ "New Video Alert: Asake Drops 'Sungba' Remix Ft. Burna Boy". All News NG. 28 March 2022. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  72. ^ "DJ Spinall And Asake Share Video For New Song "Palazzo"". MediaRants. 13 May 2022. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  73. ^ "Asake releases "Terminator" Music Video". The Guardian NG. 19 August 2022. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  74. ^ "Asake releases dance-filled video for "Joha"". Vanguard NGR. 6 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  75. ^ "Tiwa Savage – "Loaded" feat Asake [Audio+Video]". Yabaloaded. 8 November 2022. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  76. ^ "Asake Releases Long-Awaited Music Video For Organise (Watch)". Within Nigeria. 29 November 2022. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  77. ^ "Asake – Remember (official video)". Naijaleash. 6 October 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  78. ^ says, Beecoded (12 October 2024). "Asake – "Lungu Boy" (Album) ZIP Download » Fulloaded".