My rise to stardom was not “overnight success” – Asake

By Taiwo Okanlawon

Afrobeats star Ahmed Ololade, popularly known as Asake, has said that it is difficult to get a job in Nigeria with tattoos.

The artist, who has a neck tattoo, said he couldn’t work for any company or do business because of the stereotypes about tattoos in Nigeria.

Asake, who featured in the latest issue of GQ magazine, said: “In Nigeria, if you have a tattoo on your neck, you can’t work anywhere. I can’t work for any company. I can’t sell anything.”

He also spoke about his “sudden stardom,” stressing that his rise in the music industry was not an “overnight success” as it seems.

“You have to understand: I got there in two years, but I’ve been working for years. People are counting the days you’re successful. They don’t count the days you’ve been working towards it. Nobody gives a fvck about that,” Asake said.

Asake gained prominence in 2020 after he put out ‘Lady’, his hit song.

He signed to YBNL Nation in February 2022. That same month, he released his debut extended play, Ololade, featuring his breakthrough song ‘Omo Ope’ and Olamide and the single ‘Sungba.’

He has received several awards and recognitions for his talent.

He recently got a Grammy nomination in the Best African Music Performance’ category for ‘Amapiano’, his hit song with Olamide, the rapper.

In 2023, he clinched the prize for music at the 2023 Future Awards.