Since his stark rise in 2022, Lagosian street pop savant Asake has attracted massive crowds at historic venues like New York City’s Madison Square Garden and London’s O2 Arena. Now, he’s set to take on the nearly 100-year-old Kings Theatre in Brooklyn with a full-scale orchestra as a guest of the Red Bull Symphonic. The one-night-only affair will take place on Nov. 8, with tickets for sale beginning Sep. 24.
“I feel blessed to be part of Red Bull Symphonic and amplify my sound in this unique way,” Asake said in a statement. “Classical music was influential in my childhood and love for music, and blending it with fújì, Afrobeats, and amapiano alongside a full orchestra is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’m excited for what it will do for the culture, and for my fans to rediscover my music in a new light.”
To put a regal spin on hits like “Lonely at the Top,” “Terminator,” “Joha,” and more, Asake will be paired with conductor Glenn Alexander II, who has served as the music director for US tour of the popular play Les Misérables. “I’m excited for the opportunity to work with Asake and blend two genres together in a unique way,” Alexander II said in a statement. “This is something that will culturally bring people together which means more to me than anything.” Asake will also collaborate with Anthony Parnther in the show’s arrangement. In 2023 Parnther previously conducted Red Bull Symphonic’s sold-out show with producer Metro Boomin in Los Angeles.
Asake’s performance will mark the third Red Bull Symphonic in the states since making its US debut with Rick Ross in Atlanta in 2022. Ross performed with an orchestra of exclusively Black musicians. “This is the black caviar of hip-hop,” Ross told Rolling Stone ahead of the performance, which we broke down behind-the-scenes. “This is a great example of Black excellence.”
Ahead of his Red Bull Symphonic, this summer, Asake announced a forthcoming fourth studio album, Money, on his own new label, Giran Republic. He’s released three tracks this year, “Why Love,” “Military,” and his latest, “Badman Gangsta” with French-Congolese rapper and singer Tiakola. Both artists appeared on Rolling Stone’s list of the 40 Best Afropop Songs of 2024, with Asake feature on Sarz’s “Happiness” alongside Gunna coming in at Number 14 and his link up with Travis Scott, “Active,” at Number 11. Tiakola’s riotous smash “Psychologique” landed at Number Six. In 2023, Asake was a standout in Rolling Stone’s Future of Music cohort.
