About the Album
“Mr. Money With The Vibe” is the debut studio album by Nigerian singer and songwriter Asake, released on September 8, 2022 through YBNL Nation and EMPIRE. The 12-track project arrived after the success of his Ololade Asake EP and quickly established a distinctive musical identity built around Yoruba-infused street-pop, Afrobeats, Amapiano and Fuji influences.
The album features Olamide, Burna Boy and Russ, but the central story remains Asake’s. Across the project, he documents his changing circumstances, ambitions, relationships, faith and enjoyment of the success that followed his breakthrough.
The Sound
Mr. Money With The Vibe is driven by a sound that combines Amapiano rhythms, Fuji-inspired vocals, Afrobeats percussion and hip-hop elements. Much of the project’s production was shaped by Magicsticks, whose work with Asake helped create the rhythmic and melodic style that became strongly associated with the singer during this period.
Asake’s vocal approach is equally important. He moves between melodic singing, rhythmic chanting and rap-like phrasing, often switching naturally between Yoruba, English and Nigerian Pidgin. The result is a sound that feels deeply connected to Lagos street culture while still fitting comfortably within contemporary Afropop.
Tracks such as “Dull,” “Terminator,” “Organise,” “Joha” and “Nzaza” demonstrate different sides of this formula. “Organise” incorporates log drums, saxophone and piano around a call-and-response structure, while “Nzaza” brings a more reflective and soulful quality to the project.
What the Album Is About
One of the strongest themes across “Mr. Money With The Vibe” is transformation. Asake repeatedly looks at the distance between where he came from and the life he was beginning to experience after his breakthrough.
Songs such as “Dull” and “Ototo” reflect on his earlier struggles and determination, while records such as “Mr. Money,” “Omo Ope” and “Palazzo” embrace the confidence, spending power and public attention associated with his new position. The contrast gives the album a grass-to-grace narrative without turning every song into a serious reflection on success.
Faith is another recurring element. Asake references God, gratitude and spirituality alongside more carefree themes such as romance, nightlife and ambition. This combination gives the album its distinctive balance: it can sound like a celebration while still carrying reminders of the journey behind that celebration.
The project also helped introduce Asake’s music to a much wider audience. His use of Yoruba expressions, Fuji-inspired melodies and modern Amapiano production created a sound that connected traditional Nigerian influences with the contemporary Afrobeats scene.
Listen on Hitzeer
Listen to Asake’s Mr. Money With The Vibe on Hitzeer and explore all 12 tracks, including “Dull,” “Terminator,” “Organise,” “Joha,” “Sungba,” “Nzaza” and “Peace Be Unto You.” Discover more Afrobeats, Amapiano, Fuji and Nigerian street-pop music on Hitzeer.
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