When two-time Grammy nominee Asake partnered with Spotify for a special one-night-only concert at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane last month, the goal was simple: create an unforgettable night for the Nigerian artist’s top fans, friends, and family. Asake delivered just that, bringing his chart-topping album M$NEY to life live onstage for the first time.
Backed by an orchestra of more than 40 musicians, Asake performed hits from the album as well as five unreleased tracks, giving the audience an exclusive preview of what’s next.
Now, fans around the world can get a front-row seat to the show with the full concert film (directed by Becky Garner) and audio-only live album M$NEY Live in London (Spotify Live), streaming exclusively on Spotify.
The project builds on the success of his previous work, including Mr. Money With The Vibe, which was the highest charting Nigerian debut album in history at the time of its release. Asake followed that up with Work Of Art and, later, Lungu Boy, which stands as the longest-running No. 1 album in Nigerian chart history and ranks among the top 20 most-streamed Nigerian albums of all time on Spotify.
His meteoric rise has earned him two GRAMMY nominations for Best African Music Performance for his tracks “Amapiano (ft. Olamide)” and “MMS (ft. Wizkid).”
For the Record caught up with Asake to talk about M$NEY, his evolution as an artist, and what fans can expect from his new music.
Let’s talk about the live performance in London. What was it like performing M$NEY live for the first time knowing how popular it was among fans?
It means so much to me. Being able to bring the journey I went on creating the album to life on stage for the first time, in front of fans who show me the most love on Spotify, was amazing. I like intimate shows, I can see how people feel more. I’m so close to them, and I can see how people vibe to my music. That night at Drury Lane felt exactly like that, even with thousands of people in the room.
What inspired the themes behind M$NEY and why were they important for you to talk about at this moment in your career?
M$NEY is a reflection of my spiritual and creative journey. Everything flows from a place of gratitude to God and every moment that’s shaped me. The music explores different sonic elements, from orchestral sounds to dance beats. I stay true to myself but also weave in new creative expressions from my life experiences and personal evolution.
Yoruba storytelling is at the heart of much of your music. How does it shape your songwriting, and why do you think it resonates with fans, even those unfamiliar with the tradition?
My music comes from my life. My journey, where I’m from, the things that made me who I am. That’s why singing in Yoruba will always be important to me. It’s natural.
For me, music is feeling. You don’t always have to understand every word. When the music is real, you feel it.
From your first album Mr. Money With The Vibe to now, how do you think you’ve evolved as an artist?
Every project is a reflection of where I am. Mr. Money With The Vibe was the beginning. Work of Art was me exploring. Lungu Boy was about where I come from. M$NEY is who I am today. I don’t chase change. I let it happen naturally.
You also performed five unreleased tracks during the show—can you say anything about what fans can expect from your new music?
I always like to give my fans a few surprises. The music I’m working on is a continuation of everything M$NEY started—the growth, the exploration. Watching people hear it for the first time, seeing how they move to it, how they feel, it is a different kind of feeling.
How has Spotify helped your music reach new audiences around the world?
Spotify has been a huge part of my journey. To be the most-streamed artist of all time in Nigeria on the platform, I just gave thanks to God. It confirmed that the people felt what I was putting into it. Music is a feeling, and I’ve been able to take that feeling around the world. That’s everything to me.
Check out M$NEY on Spotify, and watch M$NEY Live in London (Spotify Live).
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