Asake releases third LP Lungu Boy

The project, his third solo LP in as many years, continues a prolific streak for the artist, who got his mainstream breakthrough in 2020.

Released via YBNL Nation/EMPIRE, Lungu Boy comprises 14 songs, with guest appearances from fellow Nigerian star Wizkid, British rappers Central Cee and Stormzy, US act Travis Scott and Brazilian singer Ludmila. It was heralded by the singles ‘Active’ and ‘Wave’.

“Lungu Boy explains my early beginnings in music and how it shaped me into the person I am becoming,” Asake said. “The English word is ‘ghetto’. As you can tell from the choice of collaborations, Lungu Boy is my heritage and culture [spreading] to the rest of the world.”

On the sonic direction of the new LP, which marries traditional styles with Afropop, samba, amapiano, funk and hip hop, the singer, widely hailed for his fuji-pop and amapiano experiments, said: “It’s a new field. I refuse to limit myself, and strive to share my African heritage with the world through a blend that goes beyond just a sound.”

A 2024 Grammy nominee, Asake was last year adjudged by streaming platform Spotify as the most streamed Nigerian artist. The artist’s other recent career highlights include historic 2020 debuts at London’s O2 Arena and the Barclays Center in New York.

Following its release, Asake is due on the road in North America and Europe with the new album, starting with a 10-date marathon kicking off on 16 August in Washington, DC, at the Capital One Arena, with stops in Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York, Berlin, Amsterdam, and more before wrapping up on 1 October in Dublin, Ireland, at 3Arena. On 6 October he is expected to perform at the Promiseland Festival in Gold Coast, Australia.

Lungu Boy World Tour 2024 dates:

• 26 June – Portimao, PT – AfroNation
• 13 July – London, UK – Wireless Festival
• 16 Aug – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena
• 18 Aug – Detroit, MI – AfroNation
• 21 Aug – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
• 24 Aug – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
• 27 Aug – Los Angeles, CA – YouTube Theater
• 30 Aug – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
• 15 Sep – Cologne, DE – Palladium
• 24 Sep – Amsterdam, NL – AFAS Live
• 26 Sep – Berlin, DE – UberEats Music Hall
• 28 Sep – Paris, FR – Zenith
• 1 Oct – Dublin, IE – 3Arena
• 6 Oct – Gold Coast, AU – Promiseland