How Asake Became a Global Afrobeats Star

The Asake Phenomenon: How a Lagos Sound Architect Conquered the Global Stage

In 2022, a new name began echoing through Lagos streets and across streaming platforms worldwide: Asake. When “Omo Ope” featuring Olamide dropped that year, it wasn’t just another Afrobeats release—it was the announcement of a seismic shift in the genre’s sonic landscape. The track, paired with his debut EP Ololade Asake, introduced listeners to an artist who would quickly redefine what Nigerian music could sound like on the global stage.

But it was “Sungba” that truly catapulted Asake into the stratosphere. The infectious single earned a heavyweight remix featuring Burna Boy, transforming it into one of 2022’s undeniable anthems. The song dominated charts, racked up millions of streams, and confirmed what early believers already knew: Asake wasn’t a fleeting trend. This momentum carried through hits like “Pallazo” with DJ Spinall, “Terminator”, and “Peace Be Unto You”, setting the stage for his full-length debut Mr Money With The Vibe. The album arrived later that same year, cementing Asake’s signature fusion—a distinctive blend influenced by Amapiano but uniquely his own. Fans and critics alike began calling it the “Asake Sound” or “Mr Money Sound,” a reference he’d later embrace on “MMS” alongside Wizkid.

The evolution continued with 2023’s Work of Art, which expanded Asake’s artistic palette while delivering standout tracks like “Lonely At The Top”, “Mogbe”, “Basquiat”, “2:30”, and the Grammy-nominated “Amapiano”. This sophomore effort pushed him onto the global stage proper—sold-out international venues, festival headlining slots, and prestigious award nominations followed. His third album, Lungu Boy, marked a creative departure and a personal turning point. More experimental and introspective, it showcased an artist flaunting his success while exploring new sonic territories. Shortly after its release, Asake made bold moves: departing YBNL (Olamide’s label that launched him), establishing his own imprint Giran Republic, relocating to California, and entering a relationship with Alexa Rae Perkins. The transformation was complete—Asake was now a truly global Nigerian artist.

His fourth album M$NEY brought historic firsts: becoming the first Nigerian artist to perform at Red Bull Symphonic and Spotify’s One Night Only, where he delivered a live reimagining of the project. Asake also achieved the unprecedented feat of debuting three consecutive No. 1 albums on Nigeria’s charts, sold out London’s O2 Arena multiple times, and consistently ranks among Africa’s most-streamed artists. Yet perhaps his greatest achievement is doing it all while remaining authentically rooted in Yoruba culture—singing in Yoruba, weaving in Fuji influences and Lagos street vernacular. Asake proved you don’t cross over by abandoning your identity; you bring your world with you and make everyone else pay attention. Ololade Mi Asake—and the world is listening.

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