The Nigerian artist Ahmed Ololade, widely celebrated as Asake, recently opened up about the steep uphill battle he climbed during the early chapters of his career.
Speaking with Famous TV, the “Sungba” star looked back on a time when his music was dismissed; show organizers frequently shut him out because he chose to express his artistry primarily in Yoruba.
Reflecting on those moments today, he finds peace in the fact that he never compromised his vision or silenced his native tongue, regardless of how many doors were closed in his face. He points to a mix of thick skin and steady persistence as the engines behind his success.
“How I got to where I am today is by God’s grace, self-belief, consistency, and endurance. At some point, a lot of people said no to me; they didn’t allow me to perform at shows because I spoke Yoruba. But thank God I didn’t stop, and I kept believing in myself.
“Now, look at where I am today. I am so happy for myself,” the singer said.