Ahmed Ololade, popularly known as Asake, has been named Audiomack’s 2022 Artiste of the Year.
According to the popular streaming platform, Asake earned the honor because of his dedication to delivering hit songs in 2022 and his excellent musical outputs in featured tracks.
According to a press release posted on the streaming platform’s website on Thursday, December 15, 2022:
“In September, Asake released his debut album, Mr Money With The Vibe, a 30-minute barrage of party starters that amassed over 330 million streams on Audiomack and debuted at No. 66 on the Billboard 200.
Mr Money With The Vibe broke the record for the highest-charting debut album by a Nigerian artist.
The fuji-amapiano fusion drew Burna Boy to join a remix in March, which was re-upped by Audiomack in April. Burna Boy’s endorsement propelled Asake to new heights, cementing him as Nigeria’s first big breakout of 2022. It was a lofty achievement at the time, but there was more to come.
Asake’s tone is centered on using his journey as a case study for overcoming the struggles of young Nigerians. Prior to this year’s breakthrough, he spent many years working in the entertainment industry.
When he first appeared on the scene, it appeared that streaming and local radio charts were waiting for him to take his place at the top, which his songs did.
With hits like “PBUY,” “Bandana” with Fireboy DML, and then a deal with independent juggernaut EMPIRE to sing “Terminator,” Asake’s accomplishments quickly became superfluous.
This year, Asake redefined what it means to be a breakout artist. Amidst an explosion of amapiano and the continued global rise of West African music.
Asake has conquered cross-cultural fusion like no one else, to the point of putting South African music heavyweights on notice.”