By: Muzha Kucha
The recent spark of comparison by fans about who is greater between 9ice and the fast rising star Asake, is one of such publicities that continues to tell that Asake is worth the fame.
Ahmed Ololade Asake at the moment is one fine Nigeria’s Afrobeats singer and songwriter whose prolific talent continues to thrill audiences not only in Nigeria, but across the globe.
Asake’s just released debut album, ‘Mr. Money With The Vibe’ peaked at No. 1 in 26 countries including 6 European countries which makes one wonder if he is a ‘rising’ or ‘a risen’ star.
Upon its release, the album broke a record, becoming the biggest opening day for an African album in Apple Music history.
That same album joined the list of Nigerian albums to have debuted on the Billboard World Album Chart at No. 7, dated September 17, 2022, and also debuted on UK’s Official Albums Chart at No. 25 following an impressive run that saw it peak at No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart.
It is common to find artist douse down their culture in their creativity in order to gain international reception, although afropop is one music style that gives artists the leeway to promote their culture.
What people think of Asake
“I love the fact that 90% of Asake’s songs are in Yoruba and that he didn’t try to force himself to appeal to the western world in order to gain acceptance. He remained true to himself throughout the entire album. I friggin love and respect it”, British-Nigeria singer and songwriter Mohammed Animashaun said via his twitter handle, @moelogo.
Featuring Asake as well has received a warm reception and this is the case with the hit song ‘Bandana‘ by Fireboy. As expected, Bandana continues to trend in Nigeria, the Ghanaian audience too have given the song a good reception.
Radio presenter Mobola Badekale at Ibadan says “Asake’s sound though considered street is more of matured and “posh” compared to the kind of street sound the likes of say Portable will give out. The songs are hip, youthful, and so relatable, which is why he dropped his debut studio album and all the songs charted on the Nigerian Apple Music Chart upon release”.
While a lot of people are worried about Asake’s future in terms of longevity, the radio presenter is of the view that “Asake might just be the next Olamide. If you recall, Olamide would drop an album every year since he broke to stardom in 2011, a lot were worried about him too, but today Olamide has 11 albums from 2011 save 2022, and he is still relevant”.
On the recent comparison between 9ice and Asake, entertainment journalist Anthony Ada in Abuja finds no basis for that as artists, their time is different, “he’s good lyrically and that’s why Olamide picked him”, but the ‘Alapo Meji’ crooner is not “Asake’s mate lyrically”.
“Compared to 9ice who has won Headies Best album and artiste of the year beating the likes of D’banj and others, Asake is still upcoming.
Ada is of the view that to make it as an upcoming artiste, a good record label capable of spending money on you to make good songs and promote such arts across media platforms is vital, “if you have good lyrics and videos, the netizens are with you, there’s no way you won’t be the rave”.
If with just a debut album, ‘Mr. Money’ got the rave, then sooner than expected, he might not be referred to as an upcoming star, but a STAR.
Muzha Kucha writes from Radio Nigeria, Abuja.
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