Afrobeats sensation Asake has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the Nigerian music industry, but behind the scenes, not everyone was able to keep up with the pace, including his former manager, Stephen Nana, widely known as Stevenator.
In a now-viral interview with UpgradeTV, Stevenator opened up for the first time about his decision to part ways with the “Lonely At The Top” crooner. He revealed that Asake’s swift success overwhelmed his capacity as a first-time artist manager, making it difficult to juggle the demands of managing a global star with his responsibilities as a husband and father.
Stevenator disclosed that he ventured into artist management at the request of Olamide, the music executive and YBNL Nation boss, who had been his close friend for over two decades. According to him, he had no background in managing artists and was unfamiliar with Asake’s music before taking on the role.
“Olamide called me one day and told me he had an artiste he wanted me to manage,” he said. “That was the first time I was stepping into artist management. I didn’t know anything about the job. I had never even met Asake or heard any of his songs. But I took it up because of my relationship with Olamide.”
“Asake Blew Up So Fast, There Was No Time to Learn”
The new role quickly became a whirlwind, Stevenator revealed, as Asake’s rise to fame was almost instant. Within a short time, the singer was dominating charts and touring extensively.
“There was no learning curve,” he explained. “Asake blew up so quickly that everything became back-to-back. From shows to interviews to international gigs, there was no breathing space.”
This intense schedule soon began to take a toll on his personal life. The father of two shared how being on the road for months on end created a gap between him and his family.
Stevenator got emotional as he recounted a painful moment during one of his brief family reunions.
“Sometimes we were on the road for four to five months straight. I was always on my phone checking in with my kids. I even asked my family to come to London to spend time with me. But my second son refused to let me carry him, because he didn’t know me. That broke me,” he said.
He said the moment made him realise how much he had sacrificed and how far apart he had drifted from the people who mattered the most.
“I’m a family guy. I love my wife and kids. But during that period, I wasn’t there for them. That was when I knew I had to choose, either continue chasing fame or return home and be the father and husband I needed to be.”
In the end, Stevenator made the difficult decision to resign from his position and return to his family full-time. He explained that while the journey with Asake was exciting and unforgettable, he could no longer continue at the pace required.
“Asake became way too big, and I had to follow him everywhere he went. But I had to make a choice. I chose my family,” he said. “Now I’m a full-time family man, and I don’t regret it.”
Reactions Trail Interview
Stevenator’s candid revelation has sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with many Nigerians applauding him for choosing family over fame. Others praised his honesty and dedication, noting that in an industry where many prioritize success at all costs, his story stands out.
Meanwhile, Asake continues to soar higher, headlining international festivals and solidifying his place as one of Nigeria’s hottest music exports.
