How Asake Almost Signed With Chocolate City Before YBNL Breakthrough
A fascinating story from the Nigerian music industry has surfaced on social media, revealing how Afrobeats superstar Asake was nearly signed to the prominent record label Chocolate City before his career-defining move to YBNL.
The Almost Deal That Never Happened
Osagie Onobun, known professionally as 10Ten and serving as Head of A&R at Chocolate City, recently shared details about how the label was on the verge of signing Asake back in 2022. According to 10Ten, all the paperwork was prepared, and both parties had reached an agreement, but Asake suddenly disappeared from negotiations.
"Caught up with him and he said he needed to test a release and see how things go first," the A&R executive revealed in a social media post. That release turned out to be 'Omo Ope,' the January 2022 single that marked a turning point in Asake's career and propelled him toward mainstream recognition.
The Path to YBNL Stardom
By February 2022, just weeks after releasing 'Omo Ope,' Asake had signed with Olamide's YBNL Nation, and Chocolate City never heard from the artist again. This was during Asake's pre-YBNL period when he was still establishing his musical identity and had yet to break into the mainstream consciousness.
At that time, Chocolate City represented a specific pedigree in Nigerian music, having developed the careers of artists like:
- M.I Abaga
- Ice Prince
- Jesse Jagz
- Dice Ailes
- CKay
- Blaqbonez
The label had fundamentally shaped the architecture of Nigerian hip-hop and maintained a reputation for sustainable artist development.
Asake's Pre-Fame Grind
Before his breakthrough, Asake was diligently working to establish himself in the industry through various avenues:
- Serving as road manager for comedian and actor Broda Shaggi
- Working as a dancer for Afrobeats star Skibii
- Building an underground following through consistent song releases
- Securing collaborations with established artists like DJ Xclusive and Young Jonn
His persistence eventually paid off when he joined YBNL Nation, where he would transform into an era-defining superstar under Olamide's guidance.
Industry Reactions and Analysis
The online consensus strongly suggests that Asake ended up exactly where he needed to be for his particular artistic development. Many observers note that his unique sound—characterized by Yoruba spiritual elements woven into club-ready records and the deliberately raw texture of his early work—seemed perfectly suited for Olamide's creative sensibilities.
Social media commentary has highlighted the different operational approaches of Nigerian record labels:
- YBNL operates like a private equity firm or hedge fund, providing platform, funding, access, and existing fan bases to selected artists
- Chocolate City runs more like a sustainable bank with careful artist development
- Mavin Records functions similarly to venture capital with multiple high-risk, high-reward investments
One social media user summarized the sentiment: "I'm glad Asake didn't sign to Chocolate City. He would never have reached all these heights. Olamide and YBNL were the perfect fit for him."
The What-If Scenario
While Asake's partnership with YBNL proved tremendously successful—changing his career trajectory and impacting the broader Afrobeats landscape—the revelation has sparked speculation about alternative outcomes. Some fans have imagined what Chocolate City's roster might have looked like with Asake alongside other talents like Young Jonn, CKay, and Blaqbonez.
Ultimately, this story serves as a reminder that in the music industry, sometimes the most significant decisions become clear only in hindsight. Asake's journey from nearly signing with one of Nigeria's most established labels to becoming a defining artist of his generation under YBNL illustrates how timing, artistic fit, and strategic decisions can shape musical legacies.
