Entertainment lawyer Yemisi Falaye has shed light on the circumstances that led to the departure of singer Ahmed Ololade, popularly known as Asake, from Olamide’s record label, YBNL Nation.
Rumours about Asake’s exit began circulating in December 2024, with reports suggesting that the singer had amicably parted ways with the label. The speculation was seemingly confirmed in February 2025 when Asake launched his own music imprint, Giran Republic.
In a recent interview, Falaye disclosed that the root of the fallout was Asake’s decision to sign his YBNL contract without fully understanding its terms—despite being advised against it.
She explained that Asake, having spent years trying to break into the music industry, was too eager to get signed and dismissed her professional advice not to agree to the contract.
According to Falaye, Olamide had instructed Asake to consult a lawyer before signing the agreement, but Asake brought it to her and then rejected her warnings.
“I told him, ‘If you sign this, you’re assigning your rights in perpetuity,’” she recalled. “He got upset, accused me of trying to block his progress, and went ahead to sign it on the spot.”
Falaye clarified that Olamide was transparent throughout the process and encouraged Asake to protect his own interests, but the singer’s excitement overshadowed caution.
The lawyer believes Asake’s eventual discontent with the deal stemmed from his lack of understanding of its long-term consequences.
“If the contract had truly benefitted him, he would have renewed or renegotiated it,” she said. “But instead, he left and launched his own label, which shows he wasn’t satisfied.”
Falaye stressed that Asake’s feeling of being shortchanged was not due to exploitation by YBNL, but rather his own failure to heed legal counsel at a critical moment in his career.
