Asake Quit YBNL: A Question Of Loyalty, Legacy And The Game Of Fame , When whispers about Asake’s departure from YBNL began circulating in December, it felt inevitable. The label that turned the young upcoming artiste from the streets of Lagos into a global Afrobeats phenomenon in just two years might be losing its prized asset. Born Ololade Ahmed, Asake had spent a decade as an underground hustler—dabbling in dance, churning out music, and barely moving the needle. His fortunes changed in 2022, thanks to an introduction facilitated by his friend, Yhemo Lee, to the godfather of Nigerian street-pop, Olamide.
Olamide didn’t just sign Asake; he threw the entire weight of YBNL behind him. From co-signs on tracks like Omo Ope to roping in Burna Boy for Sungba (Remix), Olamide went all in. The visionary business partnership between YBNL and Empire ensured Asake’s music reached farther shores, making him a staple in UK and US Afrobeats circuits. Add TG Omori’s cinematic visuals—eight in total—and you have the makings of an unstoppable cultural force. Asake’s journey seemed like a perfectly executed blueprint for success.
But success has a way of complicating relationships. The signs were clear when Lungu Boy, his third project, dropped in 2024. Olamide’s fingerprints were noticeably absent—no guest verses, no songwriting credits. The project felt disconnected, starkly contrasting the laser-focused cohesion of Mr. Money With The Vibe and Work of Art. And when reports emerged that Olamide had offered an improved deal, only for Asake to decline and choose independence, the rupture felt complete.
Is It Time to Fly Solo?
From a legal standpoint, Asake has every right to leave YBNL if his contract has expired. It’s a business arrangement with a beginning and an end. But morality? That’s where things get murkier. YBNL gambled on Asake, poured resources into his career, and turned him into a global brand. For Asake to exit now, just as the label is poised to recoup its investments and enjoy the fruits of their labor, feels rather ungrateful.
But success has a way of complicating relationships. The signs were clear when Lungu Boy, his third project, dropped in 2024. Olamide’s fingerprints were noticeably absent—no guest verses, no songwriting credits. The project felt disconnected, starkly contrasting the laser-focused cohesion of Mr. Money With The Vibe and Work of Art. And when reports emerged that Olamide had offered an improved deal, only for Asake to decline and choose independence, the rupture felt complete.
Is It Time to Fly Solo?
From a legal standpoint, Asake has every right to leave YBNL if his contract has expired. It’s a business arrangement with a beginning and an end. But morality? That’s where things get murkier. YBNL gambled on Asake, poured resources into his career, and turned him into a global brand. For Asake to exit now, just as the label is poised to recoup its investments and enjoy the fruits of their labor, feels rather ungrateful.