When Asake went viral with his 2022 hit Omo Ope featuring Olamide, his arrival on the scene was welcomed by music heads, from the streets of Agege to the silent parties at only God knows where. It was clear that a new music star had entered the group chat.
Last year he sold out the 20,000-capacity London O2 Arena following the release of his sophomore album “Work of Art,” a feat only the biggest names in Afrobeats, Burna Boy, Wizkid, Rema, and a few others have been able to accomplish. But Mr Money with the Vibe had only just started.
On September 21, 2024, Asake sold out London’s O2 Arena for the second time. How did he do it? We got busy deciphering the Asake blueprint for you to follow.
Build a cult following
It can’t be denied that the consistency of Asake’s music has kept his fans, both in Nigeria and abroad, loyal to him for years. Even before he became famous, he had a cult following in his days as an undergrad at Obafemi Awolowo University. Now, people don’t just love his music; they pay to listen and see him in concert.
Go global
We may argue from now till tomorrow that we shouldn’t depend on the white man’s Billboard chart. But its effect in propelling local acts to the global forefront can’t be underestimated. Asake’s first album, “Mr Money With the Vibes,” charted at number 66 on the Billboard US 200 chart and became the highest-charting Nigerian debut album of all time. His sophomore, “Work of Art,” also debuted at number 66 on that chart. In August 2024, nine songs from his latest album, “Lungu Boy,” appeared on the Billboard Afrobeats Chart. The world is listening.
Snag a Grammy nomination
A Grammy nomination definitely helps if you’re looking to sell out the O2 twice. Asake’s Amapiano song with label boss Olamide bagged a Grammy nomination when the African Music category debuted at the awards for the first time this year.
Late-night show performance
Performing at late-night shows has never hurt anybody before, certainly if O2 is in the future. Asake has performed his music at Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Fallon’s shows. Going on famous late-night shows like The Late Night Show With Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Fallon’s The Tonight Show to talk about and perform his music is effective in global standing strategy. Millions of people watch TV and YouTube globally.
Book the O2
After you’ve built a reliable and paying large audience that’ll be up for your party at 2 AM, the O2 Arena isn’t a bad venue. After all, it’s currently Afrobeats’ biggest hall, so book it.