CNN
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Nigerian singer and songwriter Asake is creating a new Afrobeats sound that is both African and completely global.
Originally a dancer, he started recording music in 2018. By 2020, Asaaki performed a banger called “Mr. Money” in nightclubs in Lagos and Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
2022 was his breakthrough year. He signed a record deal with YBNL Nation and was named “Mr. Money with a Mood.'' Since then, he has sold out tour dates around the world, including a performance at New York's Barclays Center earlier this month. This included a performance by an African artist, making him the first African artist to perform at the same venue.
After Asake performed Afro Nation in Miami earlier this summer, the singer sat down for an interview with CNN's “African Voice Changemakers” host Larry Madowo. The two discussed his meteoric rise to fame and what influenced his signature style.
This conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Madwo: Do you think you suddenly became famous?
Asaaki: I didn't know it would come at this time. Everything changed for me. All of a sudden in Dubai people started singing this song who couldn't even understand it. It's like everyone from there to London is just shouting it without even knowing what they're saying. I am so glad that God has given me the knowledge and confidence to be here today, even though I don't know where I will be tomorrow.
Madwo: Why do you think Afrobeat music is so great? Why has it exploded around the world?
Asaaki: For me, I think it's the spirit, and for people who are coming from Nigeria or Africa, they want to actually be a part of something and take that from someone like Fela. [Kuti] We actually dropped it because we like to actually make something big in Nigeria, but we'll still make it even bigger.
Madwo: You incorporate a lot of Fuji sounds into your music. How would you describe your sound?
Asaaki: I grew up listening to Fuji [a music genre that began with Nigeria’s Yoruba people]. But for me, I think I do a lot of it because I love getting on the vibe. To create “Asake,” I added a little Amapiano, a little Afrobeat, a little Fuji, a little R&B, and a little Hip Hop.
Madwo: What is your first memory of thinking, “I want to be a performer?” Do you think I'll be the one to put on the show?
Asaaki: I completely fell in love with it. Her father was a singer and her mother also danced a lot. I mean, it feels like a blood family…but they didn't do it professionally. They were just doing it to enjoy the culture and what they were seeing around them.
Paras Griffin/Getty Images
Asake performs at the Headies Awards held in Atlanta, Georgia on September 3, 2023.
Madwo: Why did you choose your mother's name as your stage name?
Asaaki: I love my mother and I like the feeling that comes with the fact that they use her name to call me. I know what type of mother I am, and she is very powerful. I am Ahmed Olorade and now I have a powerful name.
Madwo: You were a dancer before you became a professional singer. How did you make the transition from dancing to becoming a full-fledged musician?
Asaaki: The main reason I quit dancing was the love of money. I know you want to be honest. Dancing is something I love. I have no choice but to move, but I don't know if I'll be able to make the kind of money I want from dancing. I think the music and dance both work well together because a video without dancers would make this song seem boring. Even if you want to make it gangster style, oh, there's a lot of people bumping into each other, you still need to use dancers. So, as we work together, I think it's better to sing to express my love for money (lol).
Madwo: So, if you had a little more money to be a commercially successful dancer, would you do it?
Asaaki: No, join the music and dance along. That means more money (lol).
Madwo: You met Olamide and it changed the trajectory of your career. What impact did Olamide have on Asake?
Asaaki: How do I explain this? When I tried to go downstairs, there was no elevator or stairs. How do you go? So I think the best way to describe Olamide is that for me it's like an elevator or stairs to get to the top.
Madwo: How do you prepare for performances? How do you prepare yourself to put on a show for thousands of people?
Asaaki: You can see the art. I want to see a completely different morning. For me, performance is like a movie. Every song has its own mood and requires its own interpretation on stage. Everything works together: the audio, myself, and the video interpretation itself.
Madwo: What dreams do you still have?
Asaaki: I want to create songs that people around the world can sing. I don't know how to do it, but the most important thing for me is to keep going.
