Afrobeats sensation Asake has officially left Olamide’s YBNL Nation and launched his record label, Giran Republic. He announced the move with a new single, Why Love. While his YBNL exit ends an era, his distribution deal with Empire remains intact as he embarks on this new career phase.
Nigerian music star Ahmed Ololade Asake has officially parted ways with Olamide’s YBNL Nation, confirming speculations about his exit. The singer announced the move by releasing his latest single, Why Love, under his newly established record label, Giran Republic.
Rumors of tension between Asake and YBNL had been circulating, but he previously dispelled them with his song Military, which appeared to honor Olamide. However, his latest decision signals a definitive break from the label that played a key role in his rise to fame.
Asake first signed with YBNL in February 2022, quickly gaining recognition as one of Nigeria’s top Afrobeats artists. In July 2022, he secured a distribution deal with Empire, which will remain unaffected by his departure from YBNL.
While Asake has not publicly addressed the reasons behind his exit, fans have been speculating about the motives, with some seeing it as a natural step in his career evolution. His latest release, Why Love, serves as both a statement of independence and the launch of Giran Republic, a label expected to support emerging talents.
Despite the split, Asake maintains strong industry ties and continues to push his music globally. The move marks a new chapter for the award-winning artist, who now joins the ranks of Nigerian musicians managing their own record labels.
