Asake Leaves YBNL: A Question of Loyalty Legacy and the Game of Fame

When whispers about Asake's departure from YBNL began circulating in December, it felt inevitable. The label that turned the young upcoming artiste from the streets of Lagos into a global Afrobeats phenomenon in just two years might be losing its prized asset. Born Ololade Ahmed, Asake had spent a decade as an underground hustler—dabbling in dance, churning out music, and barely moving the needle. His fortunes changed in 2022, thanks to an introduction facilitated by his friend, Yhemo Lee, to the godfather of Nigerian street-pop, Olamide.

Olamide didn’t just sign Asake; he threw the entire weight of YBNL behind him. From co-signs on tracks like Omo Ope to roping in Burna Boy for Sungba (Remix), Olamide went all in. The visionary business partnership between YBNL and Empire ensured Asake's music reached farther shores, making him a staple in UK and US Afrobeats circuits. Add TG Omori’s cinematic visuals—eight in total—and you have the makings of an unstoppable cultural force. Asake’s journey seemed like a perfectly executed blueprint for success.

But success has a way of complicating relationships. The signs were clear when Lungu Boy, his third project, dropped in 2024. Olamide’s fingerprints were noticeably absent—no guest verses, no songwriting credits. The project felt disconnected, starkly contrasting the laser-focused cohesion of Mr. Money With The Vibe and Work of Art. And when reports emerged that Olamide had offered an improved deal, only for Asake to decline and choose independence, the rupture felt complete.

Is It Time to Fly Solo?
From a legal standpoint, Asake has every right to leave YBNL if his contract has expired. It's a business arrangement with a beginning and an end. But morality? That’s where things get murkier. YBNL gambled on Asake, poured resources into his career, and turned him into a global brand. For Asake to exit now, just as the label is poised to recoup its investments and enjoy the fruits of their labor, feels rather ungrateful.

The Double Standards of Success
It’s hard to ignore the hypocrisy that often surrounds conversations like this. If Asake’s career had faltered, no one would bat an eye at his decision to leave YBNL. The narrative would likely shift to how YBNL didn’t do enough to support him. Success, however, changes the stakes. Now, his departure is framed as betrayal, a refusal to honour the loyalty that brought him to the top. This isn’t unique to Asake. Wizkid’s departure from EME, Burna Boy leaving Aristokrat Records, and even Davido setting up his own DMW after a brief stint with HKN—these stories all follow a similar arc. For Asake, the perception is different. He’s barely two years into his reign, and the decision to leave feels premature to some, calculated to others.

A Gamble on Independence
Going independent is not for the faint-hearted. It requires a robust team, deep pockets, and a strategy that extends beyond the next hit single. Yes, Asake now has the visibility and financial muscle to chart his own course, but he also risks losing the structure and guidance that YBNL provided.
Will he thrive as an independent artiste, or will he stumble under the weight of expectations? Only time will tell. What’s clear is that he’ll have to contend with a more cutthroat music business, where the stakes are higher, and the safety nets are fewer.
What remains is the question: Will this be remembered as a savvy career move or a cautionary tale? Asake has the talent and momentum to make it work. But as history has shown, not all artistes who leave their labels at the height of their fame manage to sustain that success.
For now, all eyes are on Asake. The road ahead will determine whether his decision to leave YBNL was a gamble worth taking or a misstep in an otherwise spectacular career. And for YBNL, it’s back to the drawing board—because in the end, the music business waits for no one.