Nigerian singer Ahmed Ololade, better known as Asake, has once again underscored his rising global influence after delivering a memorable headline performance in South Africa, where fans passionately sang along to his songs from start to finish.
The concert took place on Saturday, January 3, at the Goldrush Dome in Johannesburg as part of the AfroFuture: Curated by Culture concert series. From the opening moments, the venue was buzzing with energy, as a packed crowd echoed Asake’s lyrics, many of them delivered in Yoruba, without missing a beat.
One of the standout moments of the night came when Asake surprised the audience by inviting producer and singer Young John on stage. The pair sent the crowd into a frenzy as they performed their hit collaboration, Che, drawing some of the loudest cheers of the evening.
True to his reputation for electrifying live shows, Asake commanded the stage with confidence and intensity. He moved seamlessly from one hit to another, keeping the audience fully engaged and proving once again why he is regarded as one of the most exciting performers in Afrobeats today.
Asake showed up in South Africa 🇿🇦 for his headline sold-out show and showed off, delivering a 10/10 performance to the crowd.
Biggest artist in Africa 🐐❤️ pic.twitter.com/aovxAaWTeJ
— Gemini (@gemininiiii) January 4, 2026
The Johannesburg show also carried symbolic weight, considering the early doubts that once trailed his career. At the start of his journey, Asake was dismissed by some as a “local artist” because of his heavy use of Yoruba in his music.
That narrative appeared completely dismantled on Saturday night, as South African fans, many of them non-Nigerians, sang his Yoruba lyrics word for word.
The moment served as clear evidence of how Asake’s sound has broken through language and cultural barriers, resonating with audiences far beyond Nigeria’s borders.
Asake yorubalized humanity; note that this is South Africa. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/8gPcpRFFg2
— 𝑺 𝑵 𝑬 𝑯 ➐ (@SnehQueenBee) January 3, 2026
The singer has enjoyed an impressive run in 2025. His track Why Love emerged as the most-streamed song of the year on Apple Music Nigeria, further reinforcing his status as one of the country’s biggest music stars.
December 2025 was especially busy for Asake, as he spent the festive season touring across Africa. He thrilled audiences in Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria before rounding off the run with the Johannesburg concert—another milestone in a career that continues to gather momentum on the global stage.
🚨Asake performing live at his headline show in South Africa 🇿🇦 🤩 pic.twitter.com/U9Qk6PFNZE
— HYPETRIBE (@hypetribeng) January 3, 2026
Asake’s Fuji Vibes in south Africa 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/puWM0N61x8
— ASAKE 📸 (@ASAKE_GALLERY) January 3, 2026