Entertainment lawyer, Yemisi Falaye, has shared fresh details about why singer Ahmed Ololade, also known as Asake, parted ways with YBNL Nation, the record label owned by rapper and music executive Olamide.
Naijaonpoint recalls that the ‘Amapiano’ crooner announced his departure from YBNL in February 2025 by launching his own record label, Giran Republic.
The exit sparked reactions across the music industry, with fans and observers wondering what could have gone wrong between the duo.
According to Falaye, the fallout began during the early stages of Asake’s signing with the label.
She explained that Asake was so excited about finally getting signed that he rushed into the deal without proper legal review.
Falaye recalled that when Olamide presented the contract, he advised Asake to have it examined by a lawyer for thorough review.
However, Asake reportedly refused, saying he had waited too long for the opportunity and did not want anything to delay it.
When Asake eventually brought the contract to Falaye, she warned him that he would be signing away his rights “in perpetuity” if he agreed to the terms.
But instead of heeding her advice, he got upset and accused her of trying to ruin his big break.
He went back and signed the contract immediately.
She said, “I remember when Olamide was going to sign Asake. He was so overwhelmed that he said to Olamide, ‘I’m not going to get a lawyer to review this agreement. YBNL wants to sign me, do you know how long I’ve been waiting? He had been around for the longest time before Olamide decided to sign him. Olamide told him, ‘Take the contract, go and give somebody to review it.
“So he brought it to me, and I said, ‘If you sign this agreement, you are going to assign your rights in perpetuity. I advised him not to sign it. And he looked at me and said, ‘Are you kidding me? You said what? Did they send you? You want to pour sand in my garri.’
“He insulted me and called my bluff. Then he went back and told Olamide, ‘Look, I’m not going to…’ and right there, he signed it. And guess what? It didn’t particularly work for him. Because if it did, he would have renewed the agreement or at least been open to reviewing the terms. But he was so hurt, he felt cheated. Why should he feel cheated? He’s the one that didn’t understand the agreement.”