Artist: Asake

 Album: M$NEY 

 Label: Giran Republic / EMPIRE

 Guest Stars: Dj Snake , Tiakola , Kabza De Small

 Producers: Nana Ntorinkansah, DJ Snake, Magicsticks, Blaisebeatz, Kabza De Small, AoD , P.Priime

 Release Date: May 1st, 2026

On M$NEY, Asake sounds fully accustomed to the luxurious lifestyle that fame and superstardom bring. He emerged as one of the standout new voices in Afrobeats from the 2019–2022 breakout cohort, enjoying one of the most explosive rises after being relatively unknown just months before signing to Olamide’s YBNL imprint.

Before this anticipated release, he had already put out five bodies of work: three studio albums (Mr. Money with the Vibe, Work of Art, and Lungu Boy), one solo EP (Ololade), and one collaborative EP with Wizkid (REAL, Vol. 1, released January 2026). Compared to his early output, the obvious hunger and urgency in his signature jagged cadence, delivery, and songwriting—popularly referred to in Nigerian music culture as “Lamba”—have diminished over time.

Hints of this direction were already visible in his recent releases. His third studio album, Lungu Boy, saw him experimenting with global sounds such as EDM and Latin pop, likely aiming for broader international markets. That shift brought a noticeably more restrained delivery, a trait that continued on the 2026 collaborative EP REAL, Vol. 1 with Wizkid, the archetype of smooth, laidback Afrobeats delivery.

Project Analysis

The album opens with a short Intro featuring South African/Zulu choral chants, setting a Pan-African tone. While sonically atmospheric, the arrangement comes across as somewhat understated for an album opener.

Tracks such as Rora, Forgiveness, MCBH, Gratitude, and Worship (feat. DJ Snake) lean into introspection and gratitude to God, a recurring theme in Asake’s work. Worship stands out with rich backup vocals from the Soweto Spiritual Singers, orchestral arrangements from Chineke! Orchestra, and electronic elements in the post-chorus, complemented by Asake’s more laidback English-inflected singing. MCBH also stands out for its memorable female backup vocals.

On Amen, he reflects on aspirations for greater prosperity, wealth, and happiness, driven by deep house and Amapiano basslines primarily from longtime collaborator Magicsticks. Wa and Why Love find him celebrating physical attraction and romance.

Oba and Badman Gangsta (feat. Tiakola) shift into hedonistic territory, flexing wealth, lifestyle, and romantic conquests. The latter, a pre-release single, brings a distinct flavour through its non-house production (notably sampling Amerie’s “1 Thing”), adding welcome variety to the album’s sonic palette.

Asambe (isiZulu for “Let’s go”) enlists South African Amapiano heavyweight Kabza De Small. While the collaboration fits the continental vibe, his inclusion feels largely unfelt on the track.

The project closes with Skilful, where Asake explores hedonistic and sensual themes.

 The Verdict

M$NEY is Asake’s most restrained and subdued album to date. If Mr. Money with the Vibe and Work of Art captured raw hunger and drive in his breakout phase and Lungu Boy pushed genre experimentation, this fourth studio album prioritises maturity and restraint over the urgent, signature “Lamba” energy that defined his early breakthrough.

The evolution reflects a superstar now immersed in luxury—smoother flows, flatter cadences, and shorter bursts of intensity. While this results in a more polished and contemplative listen, it comes at the cost of the memorable, sticky street-hop lines that once dominated his singles and projects. That said, flashes of his classic, more thoughtful, and well‑crafted songwriting persist.

On one hand, the project feels curated for raves, yet it largely lacks a clear overarching goal. While his last album sounded like a deliberate experiment, M$NEY doesn’t quite land as one. It is a solid but subdued listen from a superstar who now moves with the ease of someone who has already arrived.

Beats/Production: 7/10

Lyrics:- 6/10

Flow: 5/10

Composition/Arrangement: 8/10

Best Verse:- Badman Gangsta

Standout Track: – MCBH

Overall Rating: 6.5/10

LISTEN TO THE ALBUM HERE