The new song “2:30” by YBNL singer Ahmed Ololade, popularly known as Asake or Mister Money, and the related music video, which was directed by Edgar Esteves, is yet to reach the top of popular music charts, thanks to Davido, unlike his earlier songs which dominated chiefly.
Asake who announced the debut of his new music on social media on April 5, 2023, still seats on number 2 on chart of top 100 of the Nigeria Apple Music and number 19 on Spotify after he release it on Thursday.
Given that Asake was known to dominate the charts shortly after releasing a new song, the music star admirers evidently had great expectations for it but were shocked as David Adeleke, a Nigerian superstar, broke the record for the largest first-day stream for any album with his most recent album, “Timeless.”
Immediately Davido announced the much anticipated 4th studio album’s release on his social media platforms, the 17-track album reached a significant milestone in the history of modern African music.
On Apple Music, Davido tops number 1 to 18, an unsual mile, with Asake’s single ‘2:30’ seating on number 2 and Adekunle Gold with Zinoleesky’s ‘Party No They Stop’ on number 17.
While on Spotify, the singer’s ‘Timeless’ album rocks on number 1 to 16 with Adekunle Gold, Zinoleesky’s ‘Party No They Stop’ on number 17 and Asake’s 2:30 seating on number 19 with 453,166 streams.
“Over dem”, seemingly the joseph of Davido’s latest hit album sits on top of Spotify’s chart with over 1,257,265 streams, followed by “Unavailable” ft Musa keys, which has been streamed 1,217,783.
However, Asake is not totally out of the the top echelon of the music charts, as his name is on the fourth spot of Spotify top 100 songs chart, where he shares a seat with Davido, courtesy of “No competition”, Davido’s song, which Davido features him.
Despite the Davido’s absence from the public eye following the passing of his three-year-old son Ifeanyi Adeleke on October 31, 2022, the album broke records as the first African album to top the US iTunes list and the album with the greatest first-day stream in Audiomack history.
According to reports, the three-year-old drowned in the pool at his father’s house in Lagos State, and Chioma was said to have left the child with a female domestic worker while she was away in Ibadan while Davido was reportedly in the US at the time.
After the incident the singer was not seen nor heard from until he made his first appearance in Osogbo, Osun state at the inauguration of his uncle and governor- elect, Ademola Adeleke.
International recording artists like Skepta, Angelique Kidjo, Asake, Focalistic, and The Cavemen had guest appearances on the ‘Timeless’ album as well.
Meanwhile, Davido’s immediate previous album, “A Better Time”, which was released on November 13, 2020 also featured guest appearances from several international artists including Chris Brown, Young Thug, Nas, and Nicki Minaj, among others.
It was well received by fans and critics and included hit songs like “FEM”, “Holy Ground”, and “The Best”.
‘In september 2022, ‘Mr. Money With The Vibe’, Asake’s studio album set a record on Apple music after it became the African album with the most first day streams as well as the most opening three-day streams. Thanks to Davido, the record is short-lived.
The domineering of music charts by Davido’s album could possibly be influenced by the recommendations it has gotten from a-list artistes like him, including from age long colleague Wizkid. Some have also said attributed the success of the album to empathy directed at him over his child’s loss.
The album has also received announcements by music streaming giants like Apple music and Spotify, who announced number ceilings it had shattered in the world of African music.
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