Entertainment lawyer Yemisi Falaye has shed light on why Nigerian singer Asake parted ways with Olamide’s record label, YBNL Nation, stating that the singer felt cheated by the terms of his contract.
Talks of Asake’s departure from YBNL first surfaced in December 2024, when it was reported that the ‘Sungba’ hitmaker had exited the label through a termination agreement. He confirmed the move in February 2025 by launching his own record label, Giran Republic.
In a recent revelation, Falaye explained that Asake’s decision to leave was driven by dissatisfaction with the contract he signed at the start of his time with YBNL. She recalled advising him against signing it due to the long-term implications, but said he ignored her counsel.
“I remember when Olamide was going to sign Asake. He was so overwhelmed. He said to Olamide, ‘I’m not going to get a lawyer to review this agreement. YBNL wants to sign me. Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for this?’” she recounted.
Falaye said Asake later brought the contract to her for review, but she strongly advised him against signing, warning him that he would be assigning his rights indefinitely. However, he dismissed her warning and accused her of trying to block his opportunity.
“He insulted me and called my bluff,” she revealed. “Then he went back and told Olamide, ‘Look, I’m not going to…’ and right there, he signed it.”
According to her, the fallout came when Asake realized the deal did not serve him as he had hoped. “If it had worked for him, he would have renewed or at least been open to renegotiating. But he felt hurt and cheated,” she said. “And the truth is, he didn’t understand the agreement from the start.”
Asake’s departure from YBNL is now part of a broader trend of breakout Nigerian artists leaving major labels in search of more control and better terms. With Giran Republic, he is now steering his own career and redefining his path in the music industry.
