Asake’s third album, 2024’s Lungu Boy, pushes the boundaries of time, place, genre, and rhythm, resulting in a bold and vast effort that reshapes the landscape of modern Afrobeats. The singer-songwriter and performer expertly combines indigenous sounds from Lagos with varied diasporic influences, defining his identity through new musical frameworks.
“Lungu Boy explains my early beginnings in music and how it shaped me into the person I am becoming,” Asake shares with Apple Music. “The English word is ‘ghetto’. As you can tell from the choice of collaborations, Lungu Boy is my heritage and culture [spreading] to the rest of the world.” This ambitious album surpasses the scope of his previous works, Mr. Money With the Vibe and Work of Art, and features an impressive array of collaborators, including LUDMILLA, Central Cee, Stormzy, Travis Scott, and Wizkid.
In Lungu Boy, Asake collapses eras and merges traditional Fuji vocal samples with log drums and nostalgic beat breaks, creating a dynamic sound that accommodates influences from Afropop, samba, amapiano, funk, and hip-hop. “It’s a new field,” Asake explains. “I refuse to limit myself and strive to share my African heritage with the world through a blend that goes beyond just a sound.”
The album’s sonic textures, accrued from the merging of traditional styles with modern influences, allow Asake to traverse various moods and subjects, all while maintaining a familiar feel rooted in street-coded lyricism and stylish delivery. “Consistency and exposure lead to growth,” Asake reflects. “I’m glad to see it reflected in my writing as well.”
While Lungu Boy marks a significant evolution in Asake’s sound and artistic vision, the artist—born Ahmed Ololade—remains true to his core. “Asake remains the same person,” he asserts, “but with increased value, content, exposure, and composure.” This project is not just an album; it’s a statement, showcasing Asake’s commitment to blending his African roots with global sounds and pushing the boundaries of what Afrobeats can be.
Get it here : https://album.link/i/1760853689
