Asake's ex-manager reveals why he resigned from his duties

Nigerian afrobeat superstar Asake’s former manager, Stephen Nana, known as Stevenator, has opened up on why he had to part ways with the artist.

Stevenator disclosed this during a social media interview on Upgrade TV, where he explained that Asake’s fast rise to stardom outpaced his ability to manage the artist. This, however, also includes his inability to strike a balance between his professional and family life.

According to him, his journey with Asake began when Olamide, the head of YBNL Nation called him and asked him to manage the artist.

“Olamide called me one day and told me that he had an artiste he would want me to manage. And that was the first time I’m going into management. I don’t know anything about the job. I have been friends with Olamide for over 20 years,” he said.

Stevenator said that although he had never met or heard any of Asake’s music, he found himself thrust into a fast-paced role with no prior knowledge of the role or time to learn on the job.

He said, “I never met Asake before. I don’t know anything about him and I have never heard his song before. And I cannot learn the job on the job. Asake blew up so quickly that there was no time to learn the job, so it was back to back.”

He stated that the demands of managing a global star began to take a toll on his personal life, describing himself as a family man. He said he began to struggle to stay connected with his sons while constantly hitting the road.

“The challenge was my family. At a time I had two sons and I did not have time to spend with them. I’m a family guy, I have not been able to be there for my family but still then I still have to make money so they can live a better life.”

“Sometimes we are on the road for four to five months. I’m always on my phone with my kids. So I asked them to come to London and my second son refused me to carry him because he doesn’t know me. For me to be able to balance my work and family, I have to step down. Asake became way too big that I have to be following him everywhere he goes. So, I’m now a family man, and I love my wife,” he said.