Ahmed Ololade Jayjayway, known professionally as Asake, was born on 13 January 1995 in Lagos State, Nigeria and raised on Lagos Island, mostly the historic parts called Ìsàlẹ̀ Èkó. Growing up in Ìsàlẹ̀ Èkó placed him at the heart of Yoruba cultural expression, where music was not entertainment but a way of life. From early morning mosque chants to street drums, fuji rhythms, call-and-response slang, and everyday communal storytelling, Asake absorbed sound as lived experience. This environment shaped his raw, percussive style and his instinctive connection to street narratives that later defined his music.
His stage name “Asake” comes from his mother’s name, anchoring his identity to family and heritage. Known also as “Mr Money” and “Medoo,” he blends storytelling, rhythm, and lyrical fluency to create music that reflects both the soul of Lagos Island and a global Afrobeats audience.
Asake Education and Early Career
Asake studied Theatre and Dramatic Arts at Obafemi Awolowo University, where he sharpened his performance skills and learned to engage audiences training that later influenced his commanding stage presence. After graduation, he spent years exploring music, dance, and performance, gradually building his craft through early tracks and live shows. Although he released music as early as 2017, he began attracting serious attention in 2020 with songs like “Lady” and “Mr. Money,” which became local club favorites.
His breakthrough came when fellow Nigerian artist Yhemolee introduced him to rapper Olamide, a connection that led to his signing with Olamide’s YBNL Nation in 2022. This mentorship and label support helped him sharpen his artistic direction and access professional production and marketing resources.
Asake Major Life Events
Asake’s career accelerated dramatically after he signed with YBNL in early 2022. That year, he released his debut album Mr. Money with the Vibe, which set a new record for the biggest opening day for an African album on Apple Music and debuted at No. 66 on the Billboard 200 chart, a landmark achievement for a Nigerian artist.
In 2023, he released his second studio album, Work of Art, which also debuted strongly on the Billboard 200 and earned a BRIT Silver certification in the UK. Later in 2024, his third album, Lungu Boy, became Nigeria’s longest-running No. 1 album and logged an impressive 9.2 million global streams on Spotify on its opening day, a record for a Nigerian album.
Early in 2025, he made a bold career shift by leaving YBNL Nation and launching his own imprint, Giran Republic, beginning a new chapter defined by independence and creative autonomy.
Asake Professional Achievement
Asake established himself as one of Nigeria’s most dynamic and globally influential artists through a string of groundbreaking achievements. His music blends Afrobeats, fuji, street pop, Afropop, and Afro fusion, grounding his sound in Yoruba tradition while pushing contemporary boundaries.
He became the first African artist to headline the U.S. edition of Red Bull Symphonic, performing at Brooklyn’s Kings Theatre with a 33-piece orchestra that fused his hits with classical arrangements. The sold-out show featured surprise appearances from international stars such as Wizkid, Gunna, Central Cee, Tiakola, and Fridayy, and showcased his global appeal.
Asake has consistently smashed streaming records: his catalog surpassed 2 billion career streams on Spotify and Audiomack in 2025, and “Why Love” became the most-streamed Nigerian song of the year. His track “MMS” with Wizkid earned a Grammy nomination for Best African Music Performance, a testament to his global reach.
He sold out major international venues, including London’s O2 Arena and New York’s Barclays Center, and his albums remain fixtures in top global charts. His achievements include awards like the All Africa Music Award, Headies awards, and a MOBO Award, along with multiple Grammy and BET nominations.
Asake Personal Life
Despite his global fame, Asake keeps his personal life largely private. He does not publicly share details about romantic relationships or family life. He lives in Lagos and maintains connections in the music and creative communities, often using his platform to celebrate his Nigerian roots and cultural influences. His approachability and grounded personality endear him to fans who see him both as a global star and a relatable voice for his generation.
Asake Legacy and Impact
Asake’s influence extends far beyond charts and streams. He has helped define the sound of contemporary Afrobeats by blending it with amapiano, fuji, and global pop elements creating a versatile sound that bridges cultures and continents. Through his symphonic performances, international collaborations, and record-breaking achievements, he has elevated the global perception of African music.
He inspired many young Nigerian artists to explore genre fusion and pursue independent creative paths, especially after founding Giran Republic. His success shows that artists from Africa can achieve global relevance without abandoning their cultural roots, positioning him as a leader in the next wave of African music icons.
Conclusion
Asake’s journey from theatre student to global Afrobeats powerhouse reflects a story of vision, resilience, and artistic evolution. He has consistently defied expectations, embracing experimentation while honoring his roots. Whether he’s breaking streaming records, redefining live performance with symphonic grandeur, or shaping the sound of modern African music, his legacy is one of innovation, cultural pride, and global connection.
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