“May is for M$NEY”; Asake Drops Fourth Studio Album

Following a homecoming documentary, a joint EP with Wizkid, three peep singles, and sky-high anticipation, Asake delivered his fourth studio album on the 1st of May. Through an Instagram collaboration post with Spotify and Empire Africa, he announced the body of work with the caption “May is for M$NEY.” 

Mr Money’s three previous albums featured his portrait on their individual covers. However, there was a shift in this fourth project as he opted for an artwork cover. The artwork, created by Iraqi-Dutch sculptor Athar Jaber, is a marble sculpture in Asake’s likeness. With two focus tracks titled ‘Forgiveness’ and ‘Gratitude’, the hitmaker went spiritual on M$NEY. The 13-track album opens with a live choral performance in isiZulu. ‘WORSHIP’ featuring DJ Snake, the third and latest peep single, takes the second spot. 

On ‘Gratitude’, he addresses that nobody can please everybody. Further referenced that even Jesus Christ was nailed to the cross, so people should live their lives however they please, he urged. Asake prayed for himself on the hook. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ofm9CrqhR88

‘Rora’ means “be careful” in Yoruba. On the track, a popular Yoruba adage that means “life requires caution” is mentioned. ‘Amen’, with its self-explanatory title, follows up with Mr Money praying on the hook while backup singers complete his prayer requests with “Amen” and, its Yoruba equivalent, “Amin” successively. 

“M$NEY is a reflection of my spiritual and creative journey. Everything flows from a place of gratitude to God and every moment that’s shaped me,” Asake describes his latest project. “The music explores different sonic elements, from orchestral sounds to dance beats. I stay true to myself but also weave in new creative expressions from my life experiences and personal evolution.” 

The first song that diverts from the spiritual approach is ‘Wa’, which explores a romantic interest in a lady. ‘MCBH’, an acronym for Money Can’t Buy Happiness, is double-edged in theme. The first verse spotlights Mr Money singing about staying paid. On the flipside, he hails his significant other on the second verse. 

On the second focus track ‘Forgiveness’, the Afrobeats crooner seeks forgiveness from the Lord and promises to remain consistent in his “positive version”. He goes on to say that people do not realise that the tattoos on his face have meaning. A few days after the album release, the music video for ‘Gratitude’ was unveiled as well. 

Directed by Dulsé, the video opens a window into Asake’s lifestyle. Shot across various locations in the latter’s hometown, the camera pans from Mr Money spraying money in a nightclub to him posing with a fleet of cars, him on a tennis court, driving a Bentley, and on a ship where he later enjoys a massage session. 

‘Oba’, meaning “king” in Yoruba, features a line: “too many girls call me ‘my king’”. The genius artiste then does a double entendre where he says “the world is yours” and proceeds to pay homage to Nas for the masterpiece. ‘BADMAN GANGSTA’ featuring Tiakola, a sample of Amerie’s ‘1 Thing’ and the second single off the album, follows. 

South African DJ and producer Kabza De Small makes an appearance on the penultimate track ‘Asambe’, an isiZulu equivalent of “let’s go!”. The concluding song ‘Skilful’ is erotically dedicated to a lady. 

With only three features—all foreign—on the 13-track project and executive produced by Nana “Pokes” Ntorinkansah, the bass guitarist of British-Ghanaian band The Compozers, Asake is reinforcing his legacy as one of Africa’s biggest acts with M$NEY.