Dayo D1 Adeneye, a music executive and media personality, credited YBNL Nation’s strong infrastructure for Ahmed Ololade Asake’s ascent to international fame in a statement that went viral and sparked contentious debates on social media.
D1 said in a WithChude platform interview that “Asake wouldn’t have gotten to where he is today if he didn’t have YBNL structure.” Many artists believe they don’t require structure until it’s too late.
“Think of artists that have left Don Jazzy, they are not where they used to be,” he said, extending the argument with examples from various situations.
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The remark was made in early 2025, following Asake’s formal split from Olamide’s YBNL Nation. The Afrobeats phenomenon released his first post-YBNL single, “Why Love,” and started his independent label, Giran Republic, when his contract expired.
Asake, an up-and-coming star from Abeokuta, joined YBNL in February 2022. He rose to fame with Mr. Money with the Vibe, which debuted on the Billboard 200, thanks to Olamide’s mentorship, features, marketing campaign, and the label’s well-established network. His other hits, such as “Sungba,” “Terminator,” and “Lonely At The Top,” became generational hits both in Nigeria and abroad.
Supporters of D1’s assertion contend that YBNL supplied the rocket fuel, while detractors claim Asake’s distinct sound and diligence were the true motivators.
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