The devil may work hard, but Asake has proven without a doubt that he works harder. If there’s a general observation that many Nigerians and people worldwide can concur with, it’s the fact that Asake doesn’t look like he’s stopping anytime soon. In less than two years, this man has sold out London’s O2 Arena, recorded two excellent albums, and been nominated for a Grammy Award. When you talk about a new blueprint for success in the Nigerian music industry today, Asake is certainly redefining it.
Ahmed Ololade has worn the Asake name with pride and has made a profound impression on people introduced to him for the first time, who discovered he is not a woman. It is evident from all of these things and more that he has always desired to be unique. After signing with Olamide’s YBNL Records in February 2022, he shot to fame with the song Omo Ope off the album Ololade, which featured Olamide. Asake, since then, has gone all the way up, and he doesn’t seem to be slowing down.
Asake solidified his place in the music industry in September 2022 by releasing an album that broke all previous records and nearly overshadowed his Asake name. The Apple Music record for the largest debut day for an African album was surpassed by “Mr. Money with the Vibe.” The album achieved the best ranking position of any Nigerian debut album in the chart’s history, peaking at number 66 on the Billboard 200 list. He was referred to as “Mr. Money” right away.
In June 2023, Asake’s second album, “Work of Art,” was released in June 2023, and it continued to rank 66th on the Billboard 200 chart. This album has also won several accolades, from Grammy Awards to MTV EMA nominations. In light of these, this piece will get into some of his feats and three valuable lessons to pick from it. Let’s get into it!
1. Uniqueness always wins
One thing Asake songs always have is a special type of force. He has perfected the call-and-response African call-and-response systems with his rich backup vocals. Some would describe it as the secret to his “street credibility.” Every time his songs are played, music enthusiasts join in. His music is now sampled on many other platforms. On stage, he radiates confidence and total control. He is a true gentleman. More importantly, Asake stands out for his Fuji taste and fusion, which will undoubtedly continue to be his cutting edge at the profession’s highest level.
As a sound, Fuji has been woven and developed into Asake’s songs. The foundation of the Fuji genre is Yoruba tribal percussion. It’s not a hard task, but it may lead to something new—a distinct beat from Afrobeats—and lead to flirtations with all other African tribal rhythms. Asake’s uniqueness, especially in his music, is one thing that has helped him establish a strong identity in the music industry today.
2. Sometimes, reinventing the wheel works.
Asake learned to run from the top instead of to crawl. He stumbled upon a formula and took to it. His unbridled skill propelled him forward, and he seized the resulting possibilities. In Asake’s earlier songs, there’s a similar essence that these songs had in common, so much so that it was hard to tell them apart in the first few seconds of songs.
However, this pattern changed in his subsequent projects. His second album, Work Of Art, didn’t feature his distinctively catchy choruses, and an emphasis is now more on storytelling and soulful vocals. The eagerly awaited project displayed his growth as a musician and his dedication to crafting profound and engaging musical experiences.
The album explores themes of self-acceptance, self-discovery, and the difficulties of handling celebrity, going further into Asake’s journey.
3. Fashion, too, has a voice.
Complementing the first lesson on uniqueness, Asake’s sense of flair is another thing that makes him stand out. During an interview with BETNetworks, Asake talked about how his sense of style gives him confidence. There is no set “Asake style,” despite the fact that he may provide tips on how to imitate his look today because everything about him defies expectations.
Similar to his deliberate attempts to sound recognizable to audiences, Asake approaches his grasp of style with the same purposefulness, which has now come to be associated with originality. Among his many different appearances since his ascent are his footwear choices and hairstyles, such as the short, thick locs in “Remember”, and the multicoloured hair in “Peace Be Unto You.”
Asake chooses his appearance on stage and in music videos with great care. His aim is quite clear: to be noticed.
You don’t have to put yourself in extra-baggy jeans, fill your neck with many neck chains or get those grills in your teeth. But you can learn from Asake and put some depth into your fashion, how to present yourself and most importantly, your work. If there’s one thing Asake has shown us, it goes a long way.
Finding and exploring the best formula that works for you is the ultimate lesson given to us by Asake. There’s a platform today that helps you attain it with ease and conviction, and that’s Royati.io.
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