In a recent appearance on Korty EO’s YouTube podcast, Asake offered a rare, reflective look into the difficult years before his breakthrough, while reaffirming his unwavering loyalty to Olamide.
During the conversation, Asake revisited 2020, a period widely considered turbulent across industries. While the music scene continued to thrive globally, the singer described that year as deeply humbling on a personal level.
His breakout single Mr Money had given him early visibility, but sustaining that momentum proved challenging. Despite releasing follow-up records, none matched the impact of that initial success.
“2020 was very serious. Life really humbled me. Imagine God gives you a taste of something and then removes it. That’s what happened in 2020,” he said.
Following that moment, Asake entered a phase of uncertainty that lasted nearly two years. Although he had been active in the industry since at least 2018 under TFT Records, where he released songs like Kanipe in 2019, mainstream success remained elusive. Like many emerging artists, he faced a cycle of trial and error, attempting to reconnect with an audience that had briefly taken notice and moved on.
That trajectory changed in February 2022 when Olamide signed him to YBNL Records. The signing marked a turning point not just in visibility, but in structure, direction, and industry backing.
Within the same month, Asake released his debut EP Ololade, featuring Omo Ope with Olamide and the now-iconic Sungba. The project laid the foundation for what would become one of the fastest-rising careers in contemporary Afrobeats.
The momentum carried into his debut album Mr. Money With The Vibe later in 2022, which broke multiple streaming records and debuted high on international charts, including the Billboard 200. His follow-up projects continued that trajectory, solidifying his place as one of Nigeria’s leading global exports.
Between 2022 and 2024, Asake amassed over 20 awards across major platforms, while consistently ranking among the most streamed African artists worldwide. His sound, a fusion of Fuji, Afrobeats, and street pop influences, has been widely credited for reshaping the sonic direction of mainstream Nigerian music.
Despite the rapid rise, his perspective on Olamide has remained unchanged.
“Till the end of time, Baddo will always be Baddo. The same respect I had for Baddo yesterday is the same respect I have for him today. Even if I become the president of America or the president of Zimbabwe, Baddo will always be Baddo,” he said.
For observers of his journey, the statement comes as no surprise. Since his breakout, Asake has consistently acknowledged Olamide as a defining force in his career, not just as a label boss but as a mentor who provided stability at a critical moment.
Olamide himself has built a reputation for identifying and nurturing talent, with a track record that includes launching or significantly advancing the careers of several notable Nigerian artists. Asake’s success further reinforces that legacy.
From a promising artist who experienced an early rise and sudden setback, to one of the most influential voices in Afrobeats today, Asake’s story is as much about resilience as it is about timing and support.
And as his career continues to expand globally, one thing remains clear.
For Asake, success has not rewritten his story. It has only reinforced where it truly began.