In his latest single, “YOGA”, singer ASAKE shows off his versatility as he moves from the popular Amapiano sound to Séga, a genre native to Mauritius and Réunion Island. With this new track, he proves that he can do more than just Amapiano and solidifies his place in the music world. Let’s take a closer look at how this song defies expectations and reflects the singer’s evolution since he rose to prominence in 2022.
The Song’s Inspiration
On “YOGA”, ASAKE speaks of the pressure that comes with fame. He sings: “enemies, I get them too much/it is better to get them too much.” Here, the singer expresses his determination to stay true to himself despite any external pressures or expectations. While singing about enemies is nothing new for him—the tone here is different; instead of outwardly confronting those who would bring him down, ASAKE turns inward and focuses on maintaining peace within himself.
Séga Music & The Ravanne
The instrumentation of “YOGA” helps bring out this idea of inner peace; by trading Amapiano for Séga music (which includes instruments such as the ravanne and triangle), ASAKE emphasizes his newfound resilience against negativity. The ravanne has been used since ancient times in Mauritian folk dances—where it was used to induce trance-like states—so by utilizing this instrument on “YOGA”, the Nigerian singer subtly implies that he has reached a higher level of spiritual understanding.
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Implications for Future Releases
One thing that stands out about “YOGA” is the fact that it does not feature any other artists; all other songs on last year’s debut album featured guest vocals from various artists across Africa and beyond. By relying solely on himself for this single, it seems clear that ASAKE is comfortable enough with his own voice now to confidently stand alone as an artist. One can only imagine what kind of sounds he might explore next if he continues down this path!
Conclusion: In “YOGA”, singer ASAKE proves that he is more than just an Amapiano star; by tapping into Séga music and showcasing his own vocal talents without any guest appearances, he displays an impressive amount of musical range and growth since rising to prominence last September. Whether or not you are a fan of Séga music specifically, you may admire how effortlessly ASAKE transitions between genres while still staying true to himself musically—and personally! One can be sure there will be plenty more surprises from him in the future!
