If we were to write a book on Ahmed Ololade, aka Asake, the inspiration for a title will come from the one written in 2013 by Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the governor of Kaduna state. Asake Biography: The Accidental Musician.
Unlike some musicians who started off in their church’s choir or even in their mother’s womb, Asake’s foray into music was purely unintentional. He began as a cultural dancer and drummer with his secondary school’s musical band.
As a freestyle dancer, he worked with several dance groups and theatre companies before trying his hands on music.
We can’t say for sure that he consulted an oracle in a remote place in Lagos state before taking this decision. But we can beat our chest and say ditching dancing for music was the best decision he ever took.
Before we are commissioned to write Asake biography with context in the future, let’s serve you an abridged version today!
Birth
Ahmed Ololade was born on January 13th 1995 in Lagos State, Nigeria. Not much is known about his parents and siblings, but his stage name, Asake, pays homage to his mother.
Asake meaning
Àshàké/Asake is a Yoruba panegyric name, meaning a daughter picked or selected to be pampered or cherished.
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Education
We have no information on his nursery, primary, and secondary schools, but Asake is a graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State where he studied Theatre and Performing Arts.
In case you’re not already aware, Asake shares the same alma mater with four other fast-rising artists. This league of musicians making waves like Fireboy (English), Chinko Ekun (Law), BlaqBonez (Computer Engineering), and Cheque (Chemical Engineering), all graduated from OAU.
Asake music career
A quick peep into his career gives the Asake biography a piece of robust information about the fast rising singer
Asake began his music career at a tender age and was fond of posting freestyles on all of his social media accounts. His effort caught the eyes of celebrities like Broda Shaggi, Sydney Talker, and many more who helped repost his videos.
Asake began releasing music around 2018, blending Afrobeat rhythms with his own mix of singing and freestyling. After growing his sound over early singles like Ayeeza and Kanipe, he launched Lady in 2020. Lady, a brilliant track with rapid tempo and upbeat feelings, effectively launched his career.
He gained mainstream attention after joining Olamide’s YBNL Nation Records where he released Mr Money, an album that cemented his place in the industry.
We present a timeline of his music career.
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Career Timeline
2015 – started music professionally as a backup vocalist and dancer for renowned skit-maker, Broda Shaggi’s band
2019 – released the not-so-critically acclaimed track, Star, with Broda Shaggi
2020 – gained recognition after the release of Blaque Beats produced tune, Lady
2021 – released Don’t Hype Me and Yan Yan
March 28th 2022 – partnered with Burna Boy and released a remix for Sungba
July 2022 – established a distribution arrangement with Empire
2022 – dropped another tune, Mr Money, which enjoyed massive attention and a remix with Zlatan and Peruzzi
2022 – released Omo Ope, which shot him into the limelight
Asake’s EP & Album
February 2022 – launched his maiden EP, Ololade. The self-titled work had his breakthrough song, Omo Ope featuring Olamide, and Sungba, which later got remixed with Burna Boy
September 8th 2022 – released his debut album, Mr Money With the Vibe. The 12-tracked album has hit singles like Terminator, Peace be unto You, and Sungba remix with Burna Boy
Musical style
Asake uses up-tempo Afrobeat, elements of Fuji, Hip Hop, R&B, Amapiano (this means ‘the pianos’ in South Africa’s Zulu language), and his own combination of singing and quick freestyling. This fusion, coupled with his tremendous voice and catchy lines, creates music that is distinct from that of other musicians. It leaves his fans gushing for more.
Asake Songs
Some of his songs are:
Lady
Mr Money
Body
Gbale Lo
Gegeti
Star
Kanipe
Ayeeza
Grind
Payin
African Something
Sungba Ft. Burna Boy
Omo Ope (featuring Olamide)
Palazzo
Terminator
Trabaye
Nzaza
Jaho
Dupe
Peace be unto you
Asake record label
As a part of Asake biography, we will be looking at his record label.
In February 2022, Olamide announced the signing of Asake into his record label YBNL two years after the singer had pined for the deal.
Two years might sound short, but that was how long it took Asake to land the YBNL record deal. If we put two hours into perspective, that’s a whopping 63,072,000 seconds! That was how long it took Asake to land the YBNL record deal.
“I didn’t even think Olamide was going to sign me,” he said.
“It occurred to me that 2022 was sealed [as a stellar career year for me] with the collaboration alone. A week after I dropped the song, Olamide called, asking that we meet. I tried out multiple outfits, looking for something he would like to see on me. This was because Olamide was someone I respected. Before he signed me, I’d been begging Baddo since 2020 to do so.
“I got to his head, and he asked if I would like to join YBNL. I said I’m ready, but he asked me to go look for a lawyer and think about it. I asked him to sign me immediately. I didn’t need a lawyer because I so much loved the family.”
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Asake Awards and Nominations
The OAU alumnus has earned several nominations and awards within the short time of his music career. The notable ones are:
2020 – Best Collaboration (Mon Cheri ft Ashidapo, Chinko Ekun & Sunkey Daniel), City People Music Award
2020 – Popular Song of the Year, City People Music Award
2020 – Street Music of the Year, City People Music Award
2023 – BBC Radio 1 Sound award
Mr Money
Asake’s debut album, Mr Money With the Vibe, got listed among both Rolling Stone and the New York Times’ top albums of 2022. Released in September, the 12-tracker featured guest appearances from Russ and Burna Boy.
Asake’s work was listed as number nine by the New York Times.
“The debut album from the rising Nigerian star Asake is both appealingly grounded and aiming for an astral plane,” the publication wrote.
“Taking in Afrobeats, fuji, and amapiano but also flickers of jazz fusion and even gospel, Asake’s music is enveloping and inspirational, mellow but assured.”
Asake clinched 39th place in a list of 100 music albums picked from across the globe by Rolling Stone.
“Asake has become one of Nigeria’s biggest breakout stars in recent years, thanks to a street-pop sound that mixes up snatches of local styles with big, bold hooks and vivid dispatches of life in Lagos,” the publication said.
“Long on pleasure and presence, it offers everything from a Burna Boy cameo (the remix of ‘Sungba’) to hypnotically grooving burners (‘Joha’) to incantatory slow ones.”
The album came as a follow-up to Asake’s eponymous EP, which was released in February 2022. It was the highest-charting maiden album by a Nigerian on the Billboard 200. It peaked at 66 in September 2022.
The Case of the Missing Gun
Before you dig out your magnifying glass and don your deerstalker, thinking this is a detective-themed whodunit requiring your innate Sherlock Holmes skill, please calm down.
Murder wasn’t the case here as Asake break offs a Baltimore show after a “security guard’s gun went missing”.
Light would envy the speed with which the Sungba crooner left the stage with his security personnel barely a few minutes into his US concert in Baltimore on October 9th 2022. One of his security guards reported his gun missing.
Some of his fans were seen leaving the concert in disappointment in a video that captured a part of the scene.
“1805 Entertainment and Asake would like to apologise to everyone that came out to last night’s show at [Baltimore],” the organisers wrote.
“We deeply regret that things didn’t go as planned and we are truly sorry for all confusion and inconvenience. We had the greatest of intentions to bring you an amazing show, but there were factors tonight that simply fell beyond our control. The safety and security of everyone in attendance were our number one concern.
“Both 1805 and Asake share nothing but love and respect for all of his supporters. We will do everything we can to make it right, and we hope to have the opportunity to share another experience with you soon.”
We reckon it won’t be another Usain Bolt experience!
Was the GOAT Messi or Ronaldo?
Still on his US tour but this time in Atlanta, Asake is seen on stage performing his track, Trabaye, with a goat amid cheers from the crowd.
This attention-grabbing act created a stir in social media but on our minds. A flurry of questions begs for answers.
What is the name of the goat?
Is Asake a fan of football?
Is Asake aware of the GOAT (Greatest of all time) debate in football?
He should kindly tell us if that goat, who wasn’t in Atlanta when Nigeria won the soccer Olympic gold in 1996, in the same city, is named Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.
Watch out for details in Asake Biography: The Accidental Musician!
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Asake Net worth
This article on Asake biography will not be complete without he mention of his networth.
In Nigeria, if there’s a phrase that one can use as a synonym for net worth, it will be “what you have minus what you pretend you have plus what God knows you have minus your debts”. We are not all-knowing, so estimation is our refuge.
Asake’s net worth is estimated to be around $1.5 million, got from record sales and concerts, endorsements, collaborations, and other initiatives related to his work minus his liabilities.
Asake House
Months after signing to YBNL record label, Asake bought a luxury mansion in Lagos.
He showcased the expensive-looking exterior of the property before adding: “Went from hustling for free bed space to investing in real estate.”
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Who is Asake dating?
We don’t know if Asake’s relationship status is single or complicated. But we know (though we can’t swear an oath on it) that he’s not engaged or married. Confusing?
Maybe we should up our vigilance level on Mr Money.
Asake Phone Number
The caller ID app, Truecaller, displayed Asake Mr Money when we typed 08064985930 on our android phone. We didn’t press the green button, because we’re not planning to be Mrs Asake!
Social Media
You can hookup (don’t take it out of context) with Asake via
Instagram: @asakemusic
Twitter: @asakemusik
TikTok: @asakemusic
For bookings, send mail to BookAsake@gmail.com
Conclusion
Though Ahmed Ololade aka Asake has yet to attain the peak of his powers, he’s done so well for himself in two years.
His music and modern slang, which have won the hearts of fans, critics, and contemporaries, are here to stay.
Here is where we will cap it on Asake biography, we do hope you were able to learn a thing or two about Asake
