Afrobeats sensation Asake, once the golden boy of Olamide’s YBNL Nation, has parted ways with the label that catapulted him to global stardom — and now, his former lawyer has revealed the heartbreak behind the headlines.
According to legal practitioner Yemisi Falaye, the split wasn’t about fame, music, or even creative freedom — it was about a deal signed in haste, and regretted in silence.
“He Felt Cheated” — A Contract Signed in the Heat of Hope
Falaye, speaking in a recent interview, revealed that Asake ignored her legal advice back in 2022 when offered a YBNL contract. Eager to escape obscurity, the singer allegedly rushed to sign, even calling her cautionary words “sand in his garri.” “I told him to slow down, to understand what he was signing — but he didn’t want to hear it,” Falaye said. “He just wanted the deal.”
The terms, she added, were laced with perpetuity clauses — effectively stripping the artist of long-term ownership and leverage over his own music.
By 2024, reality had set in. “He felt cheated. He was hurt. And he walked away,” she concluded.
Rise, Shine… Unfollow: The Subtle Split
Asake joined YBNL Nation in February 2022 and skyrocketed to fame, dominating charts with hits like Sungba, Omo Ope, Peace Be Unto You, and Terminator. With multiple sold-out shows at the O2 Arena and a Grammy nod, his career trajectory was nothing short of meteoric.
But in late 2024, fans noticed the signs:
He deleted all mentions of YBNL from his Instagram bio.
He unfollowed Olamide and label mates, fueling rumors of unrest.
By February 2025, he launched his independent label, Giran Republic, and dropped Why Love — a powerful statement of autonomy and perhaps, veiled sorrow.
Olamide’s Silence Speaks Volumes
Despite widespread speculation, Olamide has kept mum on the matter. At a December 2024 concert in Lagos, he dodged all media inquiries, offering only music — not answers.
This stoic silence has left fans guessing: was the split amicable? Or was there more behind the scenes than either side is letting on?
What the Industry Can Learn
| Lesson | Insight |
|---|---|
| Don’t Rush Stardom | Asake’s eagerness blinded him to the fine print — a common trap for new artists. |
| Always Lawyer Up | Contracts can’t be undone with fame. Legal foresight is better than regret. |
| Success ≠ Fairness | Even hitmakers can feel shortchanged if the deal isn’t equitable. |
