Known by a feminine Yoruba name, “Asake” is not the given name of Nigeria’s latest musical revelation—but the name of his mother. “Ololade mi Asake” (Asake my beloved), is, as a result, both a wholesome preamble to the pack of hit songs delivered by Ahmed Ololade in 2022 and his calling card on a track.
Newly minted as a signee to legendary Nigerian rapper Olamide’s YBNL label in January, the celebratory “Omo Ope,” featuring Olamide himself, introduced Asake’s spirited persona to Nigerian listeners.
His debut EP Ololade Asake arrived in February, and with it continued Asake’s ascent through the suggestive “Sungba.” The fuji-amapiano fusion attracted Burna Boy to hop on a remix in March, Re-Upped in April by Audiomack.
The cosign from Burna Boy elevated Asake to another plane, and stamped him as Nigeria’s first big breakout of 2022. It was a lofty achievement at the time, but more was to come.
This year, Asake redefined what it means to be a breakout artist. Amidst an explosion of amapiano, and West African music’s continued global rise, Asake has conquered cross-cultural fusion like no one else, to the point of putting South African music heavyweights on notice.
Asake’s blend of fuji music, Afrobeats, and amapiano combined with his anthemic choral vocals speaks to the global need for triumph, and reflects his worldwide takeover.
Credit: pulse.com.gh
