Asake Covers GQ Magazine: Asake, popularly known as “Mr Money With The Vibe,” graces the cover of GQ Magazine’s April/May 2024 issue, showcasing his unique blend of creativity and style that has captivated the global music scene. The Afrobeats sensation, who first caught the public’s eye with his 2020 breakout hit “Lady,” has since climbed the ranks of musical fame with remarkable speed.
Following his initial success, Asake continued to produce hit after hit, including “Mr Money” and “Omo Ope,” featuring renowned artist Olamide. His first studio album, “Mr Money With The Vibe,” debuted in 2022, making a significant impact and climbing to the top half of the Billboard 200. He didn’t slow down; in 2023, he released his second album, “Work Of Art,” which not only mirrored the success of its predecessor but also earned him his first Grammy nomination for Best African Music Performance for the track “Amapiano” (featuring Olamide).
Reflecting on his journey, Asake shares a powerful message in the GQ feature: “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 toward it.” His words highlight the often overlooked hard work and perseverance that underpin sudden success.
In his in-depth interview with GQ, Asake discusses his latest album “Work Of Art,” delves into the significance of his recent Grammy nomination, and hints at what the future might hold for his ever-evolving career. His story is not just about musical talent but also about relentless dedication and the courage to innovate and redefine genres.
This feature not only celebrates his achievements but also offers an intimate look at the man behind the music, whose influence continues to grow both within and beyond the African music industry.
Read excerpts from the interview:
On his style of music and search for higher evolution
“My music is just me,” Asake says. “It’s not something I can really explain. The thing is, I feel like the kind of music I listened to while growing up shapes who I am.”
“I always want to step it up. And I love it. It’s a bit stressful. Trying to get better is like having armour and scissors, and carving yourself. So it takes bone, it takes flesh. But at the end of the day, I know what always makes sense for me is, after all the stress, when I drop it and people say, ‘Wow.’ ”
On his debut record “Mr Money“
“I wanted to be myself—that guy that wants money, that wants to go to the strip club, that wants to party, smoke, chill.” With the follow—up, he wanted to plumb a little deeper. “People don’t really know me because I’m quiet,” he says. “So everybody started seeing me as a mystery. “Work of Art“ is just for them to know me. You have to understand I’m human, but you can’t just deny the heart in me.”
On growth and the ability to defy expectations
“I’ll never limit myself on one thing. I might wake up tomorrow and tell you I want to do an all reggae album. Maybe that’s where God just directs me to,” he says with a shrug.
“For me to be able to do Mr. Money and people love it, that means it is inside me. It’s just for me to try to always bring it out, and be focused and always do it. It is inside you. I always say any artist that make a hit song—they can always make 40,000 hit songs. But it’s just like, if you forget yourself, then you can’t make the song again. The problem is not to forget who you are.”
On not winning a Grammy Award
“It’s not a loss for me. I might just get more next year. But in my head, I was not even taking it too seriously. I appreciate the fact that they nominated me—I won’t lie, that’s a lot to me. Even me, I didn’t see that coming this soon. I’m relaxed about it. Maybe because I know there will be a day that win will come.”
Read the full article here.
Credits:
Photographs by Micaiah Carter
Styled by Mobolaji Dawodu
Hair by Nia Cash
Barbering by Randy King “Rk”
Skin by Hee Soo Kwon using La Mer
Set design by Bg Porter at Owl and the Elephant
Tailoring by Yelena Travkina
Produced by Emily O’meara at JN Production
