ASAKE’S FATHER’S APPEARANCE AND DEMANDS: A complex family affair
Nigerian musician Asake's father, Fatai Odunsi, sparks controversy with a public plea for financial support, revealing a complex family dynamic.
Emmanuella Olagunju 
For a couple of days now, Nigerian musician, Asake, has been on news headlines because of a controversy surrounding his biological father. Here is the tea;
A father’s Plea
In a video surfacing the internet, the singer’s father, Mr. Fatai Odunsi, called out Asake for neglecting him. According to him, he is currently suffering from an ailment (name) and is unable to fund his medical bills, in addition to that, he says the last time he saw this son Asake was about three years ago. In Another video, which also featured some of his relatives and acquaintances, further showed their demands from Asake, which included landed property worth at least 50million Naira.
Becoming Asake
Asake, whose full name is Ahmed Ololade Odunsi, was born on January 13, 1995 in Lagos state. During an interview with CNN in 2023, he revealed that his stage name is actually his mother’s name. His friends nicknamed him ‘Omo Asake’ first before they adapted ‘Asake’ which eventually sticked to him as well. He reportedly began his music career way back from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, where he studied theatre and Dramatic arts. His career gained more recognition and success when he was signed into YBNL records, owned by fellow Nigerian artiste, Olamide, in 2022. His genre includes Afrobeat Fuji music, Fuji fusion, Street Pop, and Afropop.
While it is public knowledge that Asake celebrates his mother, it seems the opposite for his father because much is not known about him. It was however reported that his father may have not been as present and supportive as his mother.
Asake’s Response
In a cryptic video that Asake posted on his social media page, he responds to the allegations and implied that his father is manipulative and his family is not satisfied with what he gives them. He emphasized that he has done his part in taking care of his father and now needs to focus on his own life and wellbeing.
Turn of Events
Days after the whole issue came to light, the story changes with a surprising turn of events. In a video posted by @mrlilaga on his social media accounts, he was seen conducting an interview with Asake’s dad who debunked all the allegations and claimed that things have been sorted out between him and his son, and Asake has taken up responsibility just like he demanded. He confirmed that Asake has settled all his medical bills and promised further support.
The events surrounding this issue, especially how it played out is a reminder that family matters can be complex and multifaceted. The actions of Asake’s father was overbearing in the sense that he called out his own son on the social media, which sparked national debate and opened door for Asake to be judged, misunderstood and dragged by netizens. Some even blamed his mother for the seeming rift between him and his father.
While it is worth noting that Asake’s father is struggling with health issues and feels deserving of help from is son, we cannot overlook Asake’s side of the story. He might have decided not to go deep into what fully transpired between them and decided to let things go. He could even suffer from childhood hurts from his father’s reported absences
Asake’s story story raises important question about filial responsibility, personal boundaries, and the consequences of publicising private family matters. As we navigate the intricacies of family dynamics, it's essential to apporach each situation with empathy and understanding, recognizing that truth often lies in grey areas between differing perspectives.
