He is currently one of the biggest names in global Afrobeats, selling out arenas and dominating charts worldwide. But before the fame, the luxury cars, and the Grammy nominations, Ahmed Ololade, famously known as Asake, was just a stubborn teenager from Lagos Island with a dream his father didn’t understand.
In a rare, deeply reflective interview on Flow With Korty, the 31-year-old superstar peeled back the layers of his larger-than-life persona, offering fans an unfiltered look into his upbringing, his family dynamics, and the relentless drive that fueled his rise to stardom.
A Stubborn Journey
Growing up in a modest Yoruba Muslim household, Asake admits he was a handful. His mother fondly recalled his strong-willed nature, noting that he was so stubborn he would run away from home for days just to avoid her cane.
That same stubbornness became the defining trait of his life. When his mother tried to send him to the UK for better opportunities, even securing a passport for him, Asake flatly refused. He insisted on staying in Nigeria, a decision that ultimately led him to Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), where he studied Theatre Arts and honed his natural talent.
“Everything that shaped me today was my school. God gave me a natural gift, but school brought it out and enhanced it,” he shared.
The Clash with His Father
However, his determination to pursue music put him on a collision course with his father. Like many Nigerian parents, his father was skeptical about a career in entertainment and fiercely opposed the idea.
“The father who gave birth to me, he’s more stubborn than I am,” Asake revealed with a smile. “I wanted to leave home to do music, but he said no… I just took off regardless. I was 15 and focused.”
Despite the rebellion, Asake harbors no resentment. For him, family is defined by loyalty, not just agreement. “Till eternity, he will always be my dad. I will always show him the same love,” the award-winning singer affirmed.
Turning Rejection into Fuel
Before his massive breakthrough in 2022 after signing with Olamide’s YBNL Nation, Asake faced countless rejections. Performing primarily in Yoruba at a time when it wasn’t widely embraced in mainstream Afrobeats meant many doors were closed to him. But he refused to compromise his identity.
“I wasn’t running. I was just trying to be successful. Why are we on earth if we can’t succeed?” he said.
His loyalty to those who believed in him remains unshaken. Speaking about his label boss, he declared, “I respect Olamide Baddo a lot. Baddo will always remain Baddo to me, even if I become the President of America.”
Money, Freedom, and Faith
Today, Asake enjoys the fruits of his labor—luxury cars, designer fashion, and global recognition. But he insists his relationship with money is purely functional. “Because I like freedom… it solves like 80 percent of the things I need,” he explained, viewing wealth as a tool for control over his life rather than mere excess.
Despite his flashy stage presence, Asake describes himself as an introvert who rarely goes out. When asked about marriage, he brushed it off with humor, stating he will settle down when the time is right.
Through it all, his unwavering faith remains his anchor. “Put God first… God is above all things. After God, it’s God,” he said. “I always knew I’d be big… but it never got to my head. I just thank God because many are called, but few are chosen.”
Asake’s journey from a rebellious teenager on Lagos Island to a global Afrobeats icon is a testament to the power of stubborn belief in oneself. As he aptly put it, “I’m not made to be in one place… I’m like water.”
