Celebrity of the Week: Asake — The Theatre Kid Who Became an Afrobeats King

In our “Celebrity of the Week” segment at The Trenet, we spotlight the individuals defining Nigerian culture. This week, there is only one name on everyone’s lips: Mr. Money.

Between his chart-topping dominance and a collaboration that has redefined the “Big Wiz” era, Ahmed Ololade popularly known as Asake is the undisputed king of the week.

If you’ve stepped into a club, turned on a radio, or scrolled through social media since mid-January, you’ve heard it. The hypnotic, mid-tempo groove of “Jogodo” isn’t just a song; it’s a cultural moment. Released on January 15, 2026, this three-minute masterpiece featuring Wizkid has spent four consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Nigeria Hot 101.

But how did we get here? Let’s dive into the life of the man behind the “Giran” Republic.

The Bio: Roots and Rhythms

• Birth Name: Ahmed Ololade
• Age: 31 (Born January 13, 1995)
• Origin: Lagos State, Nigeria.
• The Name “Asake”: In a beautiful tribute, Ahmed adopted his mother’s first name as his stage moniker.
• Education: He studied Theatre and Performing Arts at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU). This explains his electric, theatrical stage presence that makes every concert feel like a Broadway show.

The Career: A “Lungu” Boy’s Global Flight

Asake’s story is a “grass to grace” anthem. Before the private jets and sold-out O2 Arena shows, he was a dancer and backup singer, often working with comedian Broda Shaggi.

The turning point came in February 2022 when Olamide signed him to YBNL. What followed was a historic run: three albums (Mr. Money with the Vibe, Work of Art, and Lungu Boy) that all charted on the Billboard 200. In 2025, Asake made a bold move by launching his own label, Giran Republic, proving he is as much a businessman as he is a “Street-Pop” pioneer. Turn Table Charts

Also Read Wizkid and Asake drop joint EP ‘Real Vol. 1’

Why He’s Trending: The “Jogodo” Fever

While the song dropped a month ago, its grip on the charts remains unbreakable. “Jogodo” is the lead single from the joint EP REAL, Vol. 1 (released Jan 23). Produced by Magicsticks, the song blends Asake’s high-energy Fuji-Amapiano with Wizkid’s signature “Starboy” calm.

Stats to Watch:

• Length: 3:00 minutes of pure replay value.
• Records: It broke the record for the biggest opening-day streams for a collaboration on Spotify Nigeria (1.38 million streams).
• Current Status: As of February 20, 2026, it remains the most-played song in Nigeria across radio and streaming.

The “Personal” File: Net Worth & Love Life

• Relationship Status: Asake keeps his heart behind a “beaded veil.” While rumors linked him to UK model Eva Apio in 2025, she officially debunked the claims, stating they were never an item. He remains one of Nigeria’s most eligible (and private) bachelors.
• Net Worth: With global tours, high-profile deals, and his new label, estimates place his net worth in the $5M – $8M range (as of early 2026 estimates), though his catalog’s value continues to skyrocket with every billion-stream milestone.