By Naomi Salami

 Directed by talented TG Tomori, the video of Yoga, new single from Afrobeats sensation, Ahmed Ololade, popularly known as Asake, has been described by Naijaloaded.com, a leading music streaming online platform as, “A feast for the eyes that falls flat and fails to leave an impact.”

Listening to Yoga, one is treated to a well-served blend of folk and West African flavours. But the song is a complete shift from Asake’s regulars even though the versatile singer still manages to cling to his well-known street lingua and Yoruba-laced lyrics.

The Sungba crooner, who started his musical career in 2018 but got recognised after securing a record deal with popular music label, YBNL Records, has left his fans waiting after consistent release of hit singles back to back. After releasing his hit track Omo Ope in February 2022, he became known for his habit of releasing albums back to back and he never failed to deliver on each track.

He is also known for other popular hits like Sungba feat. Burna Boy, Joha, Loaded feat. Tiwa Savage, Bandana, Palazzo, Peace Be Unto You, Organise and many other popular street anthems. His dedication and ability to add flavour to every track is commendable.

Despite its shift from the norm, Yoga has a relaxing feel that gets listeners hooked right from the beginning to the end. Although Asake is known for being a one-genre artiste, his sampling of the Séga genre, one of the major genres of the Mauritians and Reunionese, has proven his vast knowledge of his art.

The celestial vibes that accompany Yoga stylishly portrays Asake’s spiritual inclination. Short on lyrics, Yoga’s message is simple and well-defined. The song talks about how Asake is on a spiritual journey against the background of his many enemies but still has people who root for his success. Asake also mentioned how he remains the best and the crown can’t be taken away from him.

The lyrics go thus:

Yoga, yoga

I dey on my away

I dey maya

Make nobody kill my yoga, yoga (Yoga, yoga ah-ah)

I dey on my away

I dey maya

Make nobody kill my yoga, yoga (Yoga, yoga, yoga ah-ah)

I dey on my way (Yoga-ga)

I dey maya

Make nobody kill my yoga, yoga (Yoga yoga, ah-ah)

I dey on my away

I dey maya

Make nobody kill my yoga, yoga

Produced by Magicsticks, Yoga’s music video, again, has a feel of serenity and calmness, which further successfully expresses the creativity behind the song. It adds more value to the song in terms of the harmonious blend of West African culture. It also showcases the beauty of Dakar, Senegal, where it was shot and delivers a sense of peace to its audience.

Also, the video has amazing and clear clips of some locations in Dakar and a beautiful performance of dancers in colourful African attires. Going by his past successes and the creativity that spring forth on this new track, I think Asake deserves kudos for pulling this off. Notably, the folk-inspired song has redefined Asake as a frontrunner in the promotion of African culture.

Yoga is currently the number one hit track on the Spotify playlist, taking Soso by Omah Lay and Asiwaju by Ruger off the number one spot. It has gained over 4.8 million views on Youtube in seven days of its release. It is a song you would want to add to your playlist immediately. Go and give it a listen.

Meiza Nigeria