Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Asake has finally shed light on why, despite his fast-growing global audience, he continues to anchor his music deeply in the Yoruba language.
In a new feature with ESSENCE, the hitmaker known for blending street-inspired melodies with spiritual undertones said his choice is intentional and rooted in identity.
For Asake, Yoruba isn’t just a language; it’s the foundation of the stories that shaped him.
He noted that even though he can easily sing or converse in English, it doesn’t offer the same emotional truth that Yoruba gives him.
“It’s not like I can’t communicate in English,” he explained. “I can talk to the whole world in English or even sing in English. But because my music is based on my own story and the things that shaped me, I’m more comfortable saying it in Yoruba.”
Asake on making music in his native language:
“It’s not like I can’t communicate in English with people. I think I can actually talk to the whole world in English or probably sing to the whole world in English. But, because my music is based on my own story and my own journey… pic.twitter.com/QuitBYwpAP
— 𝗔𝗟𝗕𝗨𝗠 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗦 📀 (@AlbumTalksHQ) November 17, 2025
His perspective reflects a rising confidence among Nigerian artists who are embracing their heritage without worrying about language barriers—trusting that authenticity speaks louder than translation.
During the interview, Asake also addressed the buzz surrounding his highly anticipated album, Money. But instead of giving hints, he doubled down on suspense.
“Telling you about the project takes away from what I want you to feel,” he said. “I’d rather you wait for the album, listen, and then tell me how you feel.”
With those words, anticipation for Money has grown even stronger, leaving fans worldwide counting down to Asake’s next major chapter.
Asake talking about his upcoming album “Money”
— “I think telling you about the project is like taking away from what I want you to feel. So, I’d rather just let you wait for the album to come, so you can listen to it, and then you tell me how you feel”
Via ESSENCE pic.twitter.com/6mjZDYHGMx
— 𝗔𝗟𝗕𝗨𝗠 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗦 📀 (@AlbumTalksHQ) November 17, 2025