Afrobeats sensation Asake has kicked off 2025 with a surprise single titled Military, addressing critics who have questioned his spoken English and artistic choices.
Fresh off his appearance at the 67th Grammy Awards, where he was nominated for Best African Music Performance, Asake made a bold statement on the red carpet by showing up in full military camouflage. When asked about his outfit choice, he simply responded, “I do whatever I want.” This same energy is reflected in Military, where he fires back at detractors who criticize his use of Yoruba in his music and his perceived struggle with English fluency.
In the track, Asake confidently sing-raps in Yoruba, telling critics to say whatever they like while making it clear that he simply doesn’t feel comfortable speaking English. The song also features a sample of 2Pac’s ‘Do For Love’, adding to its defiant tone.
Beyond addressing his critics, Asake uses Military to boast about his success, claiming that he is financially ahead of his peers in the industry. He also takes a moment to pay tribute to Olamide Baddo, his former YBNL label boss, and even hints that he might randomly drop a surprise album—just because he can.
Unlike his usual mainstream releases, Military is currently available only on Audiomack, making it a low-key but intentional response to the ongoing discourse about his artistry.
Earlier this year, Asake teased two new songs, signaling that he is gearing up for another big year following the success of his third studio album, Lungu Boy in 2024. With Military, he has set the tone for 2025—doing things his way and on his terms.
