Asake is arguably one of 2022’s biggest breakout stars. After years of being part of Nigeria’s underground Afrobeats scene, in the past 12 months the 27-year-old Lagos-based singer has collaborated with Burna Boy and released his debut album, Mr Money With the Vibe, to widespread critical and commercial success.
Released in September, Mr Money With the Vibe debuted at No 22 on the UK albums chart, and is the highest-charting Nigerian album of all time on the US charts. It was named by Rolling Stone, The Fader and the New York Times as one of the year’s best records, with the NYT’s Jon Caramanica describing the album as “enveloping and inspirational, mellow but assured”.
Asake, whose real name is Ahmed Ololade, was recently nominated for BBC Radio 1’s Sound of 2023 award, for artists breaking through in the UK.
As his international renown has grown, Asake has become known for his spectacular – and, occasionally, erratic – live shows. Earlier this year, he went viral after bringing a live goat on stage in Atlanta; he was reportedly booed at a show in Birmingham earlier this week after arriving on stage late. Later in the show he handed out cash to fans in the front row.
Asake’s tour in support of Mr Money With the Vibe is his first run of international shows, and demand in London – one of the world’s main Afrobeats hubs outside Lagos and Accra – was particularly huge, with tickets for all three Brixton Academy shows selling out in minutes.
