Margarine is not a fruit from a plant, neither is it an egg from a bird or a by-product of an ape. Margarine is palm oil that has undergone some processes to convert it into fat which is margarine as we know it. However, this process of its formation doesn’t actually happen unless Nickel activates it as a catalyst. In this light, the journey of fast-rising “new wave” afrobeats singer Asake can be likened to the margarine formation process; only that this time, his 2020 single “Mr Money” would take the place of Nickel to catalyse his breakthrough into the Nigerian music scene.
Still, Asake’s place in the industry desperately needed cementing. The people had heard him on “Mr Money” and even given him the alias, but they needed more. They needed to confirm his potentials and a follow-up project from him was all it would take for that to happen. Thanks to Olamide and Asake’s new business family YBNL Mafia, this has become reality.
Ololade Asake (real names) has released a self-titled extended play-record of four tracks under YBNL Records and its leading single, “Omo Ope” featuring Olamide has been ringing in the ears of Nigerians since it was released. It is credited for its super catchy choral hook, the hippy bounce of Olamide’s rap verse and the very evident skills of MagicSticks, the producer.
The EP begins with “Trabaye” and it happens to be the perfect way to introduce Asake as the people’s man. The word “Trabaye” is a trending Yoruba slang which means to be high due to excessive use of hard drugs. Using it in a very relatable chorus which takes a congregational-singing style makes it a people’s song and an easy favourite on the project.
It drifts soberly into “Sungba” as Olamide is heard giving an emotional and assuring speech on how much he is rooting for Asake and the trust he has in his (Asake’s) talent. “Sungba” is an amapiano, upbeat song that expresses Asake’s free-spiritedness. Don’t be surprised if you find your head nodding to the beat even without your authorization; it’s the MagicSticks effect.
As a follow-up to the already popular “Omo Ope” is Baba God which doesn’t just take the choral music pattern, but also paints a spiritual picture. It’s Asake being thankful to God for always showing up for him. Again, Asake deliberately plays the card of using trending slangs and keeping his chorus and hook simple.
The entire project is one cooked deliberately to be even a more effective nickel catalyst in taking Asake to the top of the charts and earning him admiration from the ladies. Olamide’s consistent presence on it also shows his fatherly influence over the artiste and it works as a perfect way to welcome Asake into the mafia. From us, we’re tagging Ololade Asake EP a solid 7.5.
Itty can be caught studying African pop culture, writing about it or hosting a relationship podcast. When he's not doing any of these, then he's definitely at a bar, getting mocktail.
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