Asake’s YBNL Exit: Peaceful Or A Split

Earlier this week, popular Nigerian Afrobeats singer Asake’s (nee Ahmed Ololade) bold, new look had half of netizens in a tizzy.

The singer had swapped his short dreadlocks, beard and silver teeth, for a clean-shaved look, short natural afro and a tattooed face. The new look shaved years off the singer, making him look healthier and younger than 29 years old.

However, many netizens interpreted this as the beginning of the singer’s implosion post his break-up and exit from Yahoo Boy No Laptop Nation (YBNL).

There are reasons to support recent rumours that the singer’s departure from the Olamide – owned record label, was non-cordial. First, the singer unfollowed Olamide (aka Badoo) on Instagram, and then replaced YBNL with the title ‘creative director’ in his social media biography on December 26, 2023.

On other hand, going by the words of Olamide, YBNL is more of a movement that goes beyond the conventional structure of a record label – to creating a collaborative and supportive environment for artists and producers, and focusing on mentorship, reinvestment as well as nurturing of emerging talents.

Thus, YBNL is well-known for its two-year contract with signees after which they are encouraged to grow and open up opportunities for others. We saw that happen with Adekunle Gold, Lil Kesh, Lyta among previous signees of the label.

In fact, Olamide himself revealed Asake’s departure from the label two days before the singer removed the record label title from his social media biography.

“Asake might be leaving YBNL anytime soon,” said Olamide on Zamani Blog’s X Page. “I’m proud of him and my mission is accomplished. Like I said, I don’t sign artistes to make money from them, that’s my way to give back to the community. Asake is a big boy now, I want him to go out there and help others. Mr Money no be name. Him dey make money. I’m proud of him.”

Indeed, Asake’s new look seems in line with his habit of tailoring his makeover to fit his artistic projects – as seen in Lungu Boy (2024), Mr Money With The Vibe (2022) and Work of Art (2023).

Although, we may never know the truth to the rumours that Olamide allegedly presented a new contract agreement that Asake rejected, the conjecture is at odds with the YBNL philosophy. Although, he reserves the right to change his mind when it comes to maintaining an artiste who has sold out London’s 20,000-seater O2 Arena. Just as he is still working with another Afrobeats singer, Fireboy DML for over two years.

That Asake left the label doesn’t mean that they are at odds, or would never collaborate. Former YBNL signee Lil Kesh label YAGI (Young And Getting It), was managed by YBNL after his exit from the label in 2016.

“The fact that I am floating my own label does not matter. Olamide and YBNL is still managing me as an artiste, and the fact that I have my own label simply means that YAGI records is been managed by YBNL. We are still together. I and Olamide still record in the same studio and work with same set of producers.

“The rightful thoughts of Olamide from time is that all his label artistes after two years, will not consider signing into another record label rather they should be able to stand on their own, and try and help other people,” said Lil Kesh in a 2016 interview.

Should the exit, however, mean that Asake might never work with YBNL again, the artiste must have thought it through, and both he and Olamide will do just fine.

Asake’s song ‘MMS’ (Mister Money Sound) earned him a nomination for Best African Performance at the upcoming 2025 Grammy Awards; while Olamide recently hit a career milestone as the first African rapper to surpass 1 billion streams on Spotify.

As the ‘Lonely At The Top’ crooner said in a BET interview on January 13, 2025, on trusting one’s instinct in navigating the complex music world, “The industry can be both supportive and intimidating, so it’s important to remain authentic. Stay focused and true to who you are.”