Nigerian Afrobeats star Asake has released his latest single, Badman Gangsta, featuring French rapper Tiakola, offering fans a fresh glimpse into his evolving musical identity ahead of his forthcoming album, Money.
The track marks a stylistic pivot for Asake — a bold, genre-fluid anthem that fuses Afrobeats with French rap, vintage R&B, and lush instrumentation, all anchored by a sample of Amerie’s 2005 hit, 1 Thing. The result is a warm, layered soundscape rich with acoustic guitar, smoky saxophones, and Asake’s signature breathy vocal style.
A Global Collaboration with Local Depth
Asake and Tiakola exchange verses fluidly across English, Yoruba, and French, delivering a narrative that oscillates between vulnerability and swagger. Their chemistry is effortless, adding emotional texture to a song that meditates on success, chaos, and gratitude in equal measure.
Lyrically, Badman Gangsta reads like a self-assured mantra — a celebration of resilience in the face of fame and struggle. It’s reflective but never self-pitying, grounded in lived experience while exuding confidence.
Visuals That Match the Mood
Accompanying the release is a striking, cinematic music video that captures Asake’s jet-setting lifestyle with a distinctly artistic lens. Shot in black and white with a vintage filter, the video features scenes of the singer attending Paris Fashion Week, recording music in remote studios, and moving through the world with effortless cool.
The aesthetic, both gritty and polished, mirrors the sonic tone of the track — nostalgic yet forward-looking, understated but undeniably ambitious.
A Glimpse of What’s to Come
Badman Gangsta serves as an early preview of Asake’s highly anticipated new album, Money, officially announced earlier this month. If this single is any indication, the project promises to expand his sound beyond familiar Afrobeats borders, embracing a more international, introspective direction.
With Tiakola’s cross-cultural feature and a fresh sonic palette, Asake continues to position himself as one of Afrobeats’ most versatile and innovative voices — comfortable at home, and confident on the world stage.