Asake achieved a historic milestone on August 20th, 2023, by headlining his first-ever sold-out concert at London’s prestigious O2 Arena.
As highlighted in our earlier article, Asake achieved the remarkable feat of selling out the arena, a milestone that has been accomplished by only three other Afrobeats acts. And impressively, he achieved it in just two months.
In today’s article, we recap 5 unforgettable moments from the historic sold-out concert.
1. Spectacular Entrance:
Despite Mr. Money showing up late to the show, a little over an hour behind schedule, he made a grand entrance upon his arrival. He arrived in a YBNL Nation-branded helicopter that landed at the center stage, awing fans, with the intro of his latest album “Olorun” playing in the background. It was a grand entrance befitting of a show of that caliber.
2. Guest Performers:
From opening acts like Shallipopi to OGs like Tunde Baiyewu, Asake had a host of supporting acts at his show, all delivering stellar performances. Notably, he first brought out label mate Fireboy for their song “Bandana,” and then he welcomed Fridayy for “Blessings”. One of the most heartwarming moments occurred when Tunde Baiyewu, one half of the Lighthouse Family Band, joined him to perform their hit single “Ocean Drive,” a song Mr. Money had sampled for his own track “Sunshine.” He also brought out his label boss Olamide, Tiwa Savage, and DJ Spinall to perform their respective collaborations.
3. Top-notch Production:
Every detail of the show was carefully planned to create a synchronized and breathtaking performance, from the entrance to the stage props, and especially the real stars of the show: the band and backup dancers. Mr. Money was supported by the prestigious The Compozers band, a group known as one of the cornerstones of Afrobeats. With strong affiliations with Afrobeats giants like Davido, they added their magic to Asake’s performance. Asake’s stylist also deserves recognition, particularly for the standout Mowalola outfit he wore.
4. Asake’s Performance:
Asake brought an abundance of energy to the stage, performing songs ranging from his breakthrough hit “Mr. Money” to tracks spanning his projects, including the 2022 “Ololade Asake” EP, “Mr. Money With The Vibe 2022” album, and his most recent “Work of Art” album. The crowd chanted every word and vibed along with his unparalleled energy.
5. Abrupt End
Due to Asake’s delayed entrance, for which he apologized and attributed to safety concerns, his set, originally scheduled for 90 minutes from 9:30 pm to 11 pm, was cut short. Midway through his performance, just after Tiwa Savage’s set, he suddenly stopped and told fans “I’ll be back,” leaving the stage. The live stream on YouTube also ended at that point, causing confusion among fans both at the venue and at home. The reason was the strict curfew at the O2 Arena, beginning at 11 pm, with a £10,000 fine for every minute over time. This prompted him to end the show to avoid a hefty fine. He reportedly returned to perform “Joha”, but the show ended abruptly.
Despite the show’s sudden conclusion, its overall success has firmly established Asake’s legacy. Backstage, he was honored with a sold-out plaque from the O2 Arena, acknowledging his achievement in filling the esteemed venue. This noteworthy accomplishment marks a significant milestone not only for Mr. Money but also for the entire Afrobeats genre.
