Nigerian Afrobeats star Asake, born Ahmed Ololade, has reflected on the early hurdles he faced on his path to stardom, including being sidelined because of his choice to sing in Yoruba.
In a recent chat with Famous TV, the “Sungba” hitmaker opened up about the period when doors didn’t exactly swing open for him.
According to Asake, several show promoters turned him down, claiming his Yoruba-infused style wouldn’t connect widely enough. At the time, the pressure to switch things up was real, but so was his conviction.
“At some point, a lot of people said no to me. They didn’t allow me to perform at shows because I spoke Yoruba. But thank God I didn’t stop, and I kept believing in myself,” he said.
Rather than dilute his sound or abandon his roots, Asake doubled down on what made him unique. Today, that same cultural authenticity has become one of his strongest selling points, helping him carve a distinct lane in the Afrobeats and street-pop space.
Reflecting on his rise, the singer credited more than just talent. For him, the journey has been powered by faith, consistency, and an unshakeable belief in his craft.
“How I got to where I am today is by God’s grace, self-belief, consistency, and endurance. Now, look at where I am today. I am so happy for myself,” he added.
From being told “no” because of his language to becoming one of the most streamed and celebrated acts out of Nigeria, Asake’s story is a reminder that sometimes the very thing people doubt is the same thing that sets you apart.
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