Asake's Former Manager Stephen Nana Reveals Reasons Behind Their Professional Split

In a candid interview with UpgradeTV, Stephen Nana, popularly known as Stevenator and former manager of Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Asake, opened up about the reasons behind their professional separation. Nana revealed that Asake's rapid rise in the music industry presented challenges that ultimately led to their split.

"Asake's growth was exponential," Nana stated. "Managing his burgeoning career became increasingly challenging, especially while trying to balance my personal and family life."

Nana's journey into artist management began with a call from Olamide, the head of YBNL Nation, who introduced him to Asake. Their collaboration contributed significantly to Asake's early success.

Asake's departure from YBNL Nation in late 2024 marked a new chapter in his career. He chose not to renew his contract with the label, opting instead to pursue independence. This decision included removing YBNL from his social media bios and unfollowing related accounts, signaling a clear break.

Despite the split, Olamide expressed pride in Asake's achievements, stating, "I didn't create YBNL because I wanted to make money. I created it because I wanted to see other young people grow."

Asake's journey underscores the complexities of artist management in the fast-paced Nigerian music industry, highlighting the need for adaptable strategies to support artists' evolving careers.