GRUNGECAKE

Tag: Asake

  • Nigeria’s Asake brings Afro-Fusion brilliance to NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series: Watch

    The Nigerian star delivers a soulful, high-energy set that showcases his blend of Afrobeats, Fuji, and Amapiano in an intimate performance.

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    Nigerian artist Asake delivered a spirited and soulful performance for NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series, blending infectious rhythms with heartfelt vocals in an intimate studio setting. The performance, released today, showcased the singer’s signature mix of Afrobeats, Fuji, and Amapiano, reaffirming his place as one of the genre’s most innovative voices.

    Supported by a full live band—including talking drums, percussion, keyboards, and backup singers—Asake opened with ‘Sunshine’, immediately setting a vibrant yet reflective tone. His setlist also included fan favorites like ‘Lonely at the Top’, ‘Peace Be Unto You (PBUY)’, and ‘Remember’, each reimagined with live instrumentation that highlighted the warmth and depth of his sound.

    Throughout the twenty-minute session, Asake balanced energy and emotion, gliding effortlessly between Yoruba, Pidgin, and English lyrics. The performance gave listeners a glimpse into his artistry beyond studio production, revealing a more vulnerable, spiritual side of the star known for high-tempo hits and crowd-thrilling stage shows.

    Asake joins fellow Nigerian artists like Burna Boy and Tems, who have appeared on Tiny Desk, signalling the growing influence of Afrobeats on global platforms. The performance not only celebrated Asake’s rise but also highlighted the continued worldwide appreciation for contemporary African music.

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo0UxS6lnjA&h=315]

    With his Tiny Desk Concert, Asake proved that even in a stripped-down space, his sound remains larger than life—radiating rhythm, soul, and unmistakable joy.

  • Gunna and Asake to headline Afro+ Fest in Washington, DC

    “This is the block party we’ve dreamed about for a decade.” — Michael Awosanya, Founder

    Afro+ Fest, the East Coast’s first large‑scale festival celebrating the full spectrum of global Black music and culture, will debut Sunday, August 31, 2025, at RFK Festival Grounds in Washington, DC. The inaugural lineup features superstar headliners Gunna and Asake, leading a cross‑continental roster of A‑list talent for an expected crowd of 20,000 fans.

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    Powered by the ethos “Africa, plus more”, Afro+ Fest offers a one‑day, all‑ages experience that honors both the future and the legacy of Black music—Hip‑Hop, Afrobeats, Soca, Dancehall, R&B and Amapiano—alongside immersive art installations, global cuisine, fashion activations and a marketplace of Black‑owned brands and local creators.

    2025 Lineup Highlights

    Gunna
    Asake (closing the festival)
    Gabzy
    DJ Tunez
    Foggie Raw
    Machel Montano
    Ricky Platinum
    Shatta Wale
    Shenseea
    TXC
    Uncle Waffles
    Wande Coal
    Special Guest: Shy Glizzy (D.C.’s own hometown hero)

    A founder’s vision

    “This is the block party we’ve dreamed about for a decade”, said founder and executive producer Michael Awosanya. “With the support of Mayor Muriel Bowser and Events DC, Afro+ Fest is bringing the full diaspora to RFK—music, food, culture—driven by the people and sounds that shape us.”
    What began as a college dream has grown into a cultural movement—created by and for the communities that have defined Black music worldwide. On August 31, Afro+ Fest is set to become Washington, DC’s boldest new tradition. “The festival’s impact will be felt not only through the music, but in the real opportunities it creates for local businesses and visionaries”, Awosanya added.

    Festival Details

    Date/Time: Sunday, August 31, 2025 | 12 PM – 11 PM
    Location: RFK Festival Grounds, 2500 Independence Ave SE, Washington, DC

    About Afro+ Fest

    Afro+ Fest is the East Coast’s first large-scale festival dedicated to the full spectrum of global Black music and culture. Founded by DMV-area creatives and community leaders, Afro+ Fest aims to amplify Black sounds, unite the diaspora, and foster economic and creative opportunity through music, art, and entrepreneurship. It is a gathering where every member of the diaspora—and every ally who loves Black creativity—can come together in joyful celebration.

  • Watch Nigeria’s Olamide official music video for ’99’ featuring Seyi Vibez, Asake, Young Jonn and Daecolm

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    Yesterday, Nigeria’s beloved artist Olamide released the official music video for his new song ’99’ featuring Seyi Vibez (who people felt was biting Asake’s style in 2022), his protégé and breakout star Asake, Nigerian hitmaker Young Jonn and Southern African artist Daecolm, who has a soothing voice. Throughout the music video, behind-the-scenes clips of each respective artist, sprinkled throughout, of them living their best lives with musical collaborators (Asake and Central Cee onstage and Seyi Vibez and Soulja Boy sharing space), business partners (Olamide and Empire Distribution Founder and CEO Ghazi), and more. The record is from his forthcoming album eponymous album. The self-titled album is set to come forth (June 18) and will feature seventeen bold tracks.

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    Honestly, when I saw an official music video uploaded to YouTube, I became curious to see if Asake would appear in it with a performance shot of his own, but he wasn’t. I am not going to lie. It was a bit disappointing, but that is the hopeful spirit in me. In February 2025, the GRAMMY-nominated Nigerian superstar reportedly left YBNL to start his imprint, Giran Republic, allegedly translated to “a slang term popular in his home state of Osun, which loosely translates to a person who moves differently, a boss, or a leader.”

  • Nigeria’s global superstar Asake reveals new look

    Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Asake, known for his infectious rhythms and captivating performances, is making headlines again—this time for his striking new look and swirling rumours about a potential departure from his record label, YBNL Nation.

    The new hair: A bold statement

    Asake, whose real name is Ahmed Ololade, has always been celebrated for his bold and experimental style, both musically and fashionably. The singer recently debuted a fresh hairstyle that has his fans buzzing across social media. Known for his signature dreadlocks, Asake has opted for a more refined, shorter look that’s already setting trends. The new hairstyle was unveiled during a recent performance in Lagos, where he dazzled the audience not only with his high-energy setlist but also with his refreshed appearance.

    Fans and fashion enthusiasts alike have praised Asake for embracing change and redefining his image. Some even speculate that the new hair signifies a new chapter in his career, fueling excitement for what’s to come.

    Rumours of a label split

    However, alongside the excitement about his revamped look, rumours have begun circulating that Asake might be parting ways with his record label, YBNL Nation, led by music mogul Olamide. YBNL Nation has been instrumental in shaping Asake’s meteoric rise, providing a platform for his chart-topping hits such as ‘Sungba’ and ‘Peace Be Unto You’. The rumours gained traction after Asake’s cryptic social media posts and his noticeable absence from some recent YBNL-related activities. Industry insiders have been speculating about tensions between the artist and the label, though neither party has released an official statement to confirm or deny the claims.

    What’s next for Asake?

    Whilst fans eagerly await clarity on Asake’s label status, many are optimistic about his future. Whether he remains with YBNL Nation or ventures into new territory, Asake’s talent and charisma ensure that his career trajectory will remain upward. If the hairstyle and rumours indicate anything, it’s that Asake is a man poised for reinvention—both personally and professionally. In the meantime, Asake continues to dominate the airwaves, with his latest single climbing charts and his performances drawing massive crowds. As fans and critics dissect every detail of his evolving journey, one thing is certain: Asake’s star power is undeniable, and the best is yet to come.

  • Photos: Nigeria’s GRAMMY-nominated superstar Asake kicks off ‘Lungu Boy World’ tour

    On Friday night, GRAMMY-nominated Nigerian Afrobeats artist Asake launched his Lungu Boy World Tour with an electrifying performance at Washington, DC’s Capital One Arena. Asake took the stage to deliver fan-favourite hits from all albums including his recent third studio album, ‘Lungu Boy’, which was released earlier this month.

    The ‘Lungu Boy World’ Tour marks a significant milestone in Asake’s career, with massive arena performances in some of the most iconic venues around the world, including Madison Square Garden.

    The ‘Lungu World World Tour’ continues Wednesday with a show in Atlanta at State Farm Arena before continuing with performances in Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Amsterdam, Paris, Dublin and more before wrapping up with a festival set at Promiseland in Gold Coast, Australia. For tickets and tour information, visit this link.

    ‘Lungu Boy World’ Tour 2024 Dates:

    Fri Aug 16 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena
    Sun Aug 18 – Detroit, MI – AfroNation^
    Wed Aug 21 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
    Sat Aug 24 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
    Tue Aug 27 – Los Angeles, CA – YouTube Theater
    Fri Aug 30 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
    Sun Sep 15 – Cologne, DE – Palladium
    Tue Sep 24 – Amsterdam, NL – AFAS Live
    Thu Sep 26 – Berlin, DE – UberEats Music Hall
    Sat Sep 28 – Paris, FR – Zenith
    Tue Oct 1 – Dublin, IE – 3Arena*
    Sun Oct 6 – Gold Coast, AU – Promiseland*^

    *Non-Live Nation Date
    ^Festival Date

  • Nigeria’s Olamide enlists signees Fireboy DML and Asake for ‘Uptown Disco’: Watch the visual

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    One of Africa’s most successful independent record label owners and GRAMMY nominated artist, Olamide, paired up with his groundbreaking signees Fireboy DML and Asake for an official video from his new song ‘Uptown Disco’ from his surprise seven-track extended play called ‘Ikigai / 生き甲斐 Vol 1 EP’ named and inspired by a Japanese phrase translated to something that gives someone a sense of purpose or a sense of being. No, we do not know how the inspiration for the name came about nor how to pronounce it, but one of these days, we hope to hear Olamide speak on it and say the name of his project. Until then, check out the ‘Uptown Disco’ music video below. It is fast approaching a million views.

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    If you like what you see and hear in the music video, join the millions of music fans who pressed play on this extended play. Who knows? Perhaps you could be somewhere among the 100,000,000 million plus streamers. It features club bangers like ‘Metaverse’ (over 8.4 million public streams on Spotify), ‘Makaveli’ (2.9 million public streams on Spotify), and more.

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  • Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Asake announces third album ‘Lungu Boy’

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    Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Asake unleashed the official track listing for his exciting third forthcoming album ‘Lungu Boy’, yesterday. If you do not speak Yoruba or Hausa (languages from Nigeria), you’re asking yourself, “What is a Lungu boy?” According to my research, it is “a Christian thief who steals under the guise of humility” or “A falsely humble person who wins public support by frequenting worshipping places.” And to top it off, the description ended off with a classic, “The lungu of African politicians is the major contributing factor to abject poverty.”

    The following artists are on the album: Wizkid, Travis Scott, Stormzy, Central Cee, and LUDMILLA. The fifteen-track album comes out this Friday, August 9, 2024. Check out the official artwork below and view the track listing yourselves.