- Asake’s third album Lungu Boy was released on August 9
- It features appearances from Wizkid, Stormzy, Travis Scott, Central Cee and Ludmilla
- Lungu Boy fulfilled Asake’s prophetic lyric to explore and maintain his global status
Afrobeats singer Ololade Ahmed, popularly known as Asake, has proven that lyrics are not just lyrics. Like prophecies, artistes live up to most of them.
In a feature song with his colleague, Fireboy on Badana, Asake's verse goes, “Dem never see me comin’, Mo gbe wan ni ‘is coming’, Naija boy Wey dey go foreign…” Who would have ever thought that he had foreseen the future?
Lungu Boy, which title translates to ‘Ghetto,’ expands Asake’s dreams on the global pedestal. It sees the 29-artiste shift from his old self to explore cultural influences with international collaborations.
This is also reiterated in Worldwide lyrics that Worldwide, E don go. Mr. Money worldwide. Fuji, Afrobeats, Amapiano, Hip Hop, Tungba and Funk all weaved into his familiar signature flow and pattern, Asake’s Lungu Boy travels the world.
In Lungu Boy, Asake is more reflective about his life and is tilted towards gratitude to God. The 48-minute long album, released under the YBNL is Asake’s third studio album, following his previous Work of Art and MMWTV.
Reviewing Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ Album
As an intro Start is apt and nostalgic. Sampling Asa’s Ojumo ti Mo, which translates to The break of dawn, Asake wishes for more life. He lays his expectations bare. MMS featuring Wizkid thrives with its rich cultural approach. There is an emphasis on deep lyrical Yoruba verses that immerse listeners in ruminating upon life. Wizkid went into himself to deliver his verse. This makes MMS heartfelt and didactic.
In Mood, Asake expresses how human emotions swing like a pendulum. Sometimes, it's hot. Sometimes, it's cold. It's refreshing to see a side of Asake speaking fluent Spanish away from Yoruba. ‘Worldwide, E don go. Mr. Money Worldwide, E don go, these lines in his fifth track Worldwide reinforce what Lungu Boy stands for. An international flight to explore the world.
On Active, Popular American rapper Travis Scott joins Asake riding on the uptempo hip-hop and Fuji music elements. As expected Scott didn't miss his shot on this one. For Suru, Stormzy seemed a bit laid back but the message hit hard. The prayer-themed track eulogized the mercies of God on an African highlife rhythm.
Weaving his energy with Asake on Wave, Central Cee delivered his best. My best collaboration track on Lungu Boy would definitely be Whine. It sees a different Asake. Jumping on a fast-paced dancehall and Reggae vibe, the duo seamlessly delivered a beautiful track. The album closes on high-pitched irresistible Fuji Vibes. Familiar but makes you dance and lost in the beats. What a way to end the Lungu Boy listening experience!
Lungu Boy proves to be Asake’s worldwide smashing entry to maintain his global status. He spreads his wings to explore what the world has to offer. With a back-to-back charting spree since its release, Lungu Boy is living proof of Asake’s ‘prophecy’—indeed Naija boy Asake has gone global.
However, before his present status, listeners experienced the quality standard he offered in Work of Art and MMWTV. While Lungu Boy puts him on the desired pedestal, it falls a bit short of the previous standard he had set. His die-hard fans might struggle to resonate with Asake’s shift on Lungu Boy.
Charting spree: 15 milestones achieved by Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ so far
Earlier, TheRadar, through the monitoring of Spotify, social media and artiste milestones, compiled a list of milestones and records achieved by Asake’s Lungu Boy so far.
Lungu Boy is Asake’s third studio 15-track album, a follow-up of his sophomore project, Work of Art. Released under the YBNL Nation and Empire Distribution, it features appearances from Wizkid, Travis Scott, Central Cee, Stormzy and Ludmilla.
