In just three days, the private life of Afrobeats star Ahmed Ololade Odunsi, better known as Asake, became a public spectacle, igniting a firestorm of debate across social media. The drama began on Friday, March 14, 2025, when a video surfaced online featuring Fatai Odunsi, who identified himself as Asake’s father, pleading for financial assistance due to severe health challenges. In the viral clip, the elderly Odunsi disclosed that he has been battling a stroke since 2022 and accused his famous son of abandoning him for undisclosed reasons.
Odunsi painted himself as a devoted father, claiming he was actively involved in raising Asake—the only child from his brief marriage to Asake’s mother, Falilat—before their separation. He lamented that their last communication was in 2022 and that Asake had since ignored his calls and offered no financial support, a duty he argued children owe their parents. The video unleashed a torrent of reactions online, with opinions sharply divided. Some pointed fingers at Asake’s mother, Falilat, accusing her of turning the singer against his father, while others branded Odunsi a neglectful parent now seeking to profit from his son’s success.
Investigations by The Nation revealed Asake’s deep bond with his mother, whom he openly cherishes. On March 5, 2025, he celebrated her birthday on X, writing, “Happy birthday to the most amazing mom. Your love and support mean the world to me. I’m so grateful for you every day. Love you more than anything.” This affection stood in stark contrast to the narrative from his father, fueling speculation about family dynamics.
Responding to the allegations, Asake took to Instagram with a cryptic musical rebuttal, asserting he had supported his father despite the claims. Singing in Yoruba, he said, “You can’t please everyone, you can’t please the world. But anything you are doing, just do it for God. My own father wants to cajole me, and I have sent so much money to him. I have struggled for so many years, but they want to make life tire me.” The Grammy-nominated artist and former YBNL signee suggested his efforts were unappreciated, intensifying the online clash.
Supporters of Odunsi fired back, insisting he played a significant role in Asake’s upbringing after separating from Falilat in 1998, when Asake was three. They alleged that Falilat had orchestrated Asake’s estrangement from his father as revenge for their split over 27 years ago. Amid the fray, a new twist emerged: claims of an 11-year-old daughter, Zeenat, whom Odunsi’s backers said Asake had also abandoned, further escalating the narrative of neglect.
The saga reached a turning point on Sunday, March 16, when Odunsi released a follow-up video confirming that Asake had reached out to reconcile. He revealed that the singer pledged to buy him a house—currently being sourced—and cover his medical expenses, including a doctor’s appointment in Lekki. “His mother ought to ask him when he last saw me. That was what got me angry, but we have sorted out all the problems. We are no longer fighting. Asake said he will do everything that I want. We have settled, no more problems,” Odunsi said, expressing joy and praying for his son’s continued success. He also confirmed Asake’s commitment to taking “full responsibility” for Zeenat, noting, “He has never denied his child, but he has now promised to take full responsibility for the child.”
The fallout drew varied reactions. Sesan Adeniji criticized Odunsi’s initial approach, writing, “To imagine Asake’s alleged father fails to use his first public appearance to reconnect with love… but instead used his name to beg and dent his image is bonkers entitlement.” After the reconciliation, Adeniji added, “Asake has done the transaction… sometimes, the level of love you get from some family members is transactional.” Sheriffdeen Ojon Olorunfemi, claiming personal ties to the family, defended Odunsi’s character and urged Asake not to neglect him, warning, “Thinking about his son neglecting him caused his stroke in 2022.” Wale Balogun echoed this, decrying the vilification of Odunsi and implicating Falilat in the rift.
Wale Olaleye, deputy editor at ThisDay, remarked, “It is heartbreaking to actually realise that Portable is more sensible than Asake,” critiquing the singer’s initial response. Meanwhile, Canadian-Nigerian media strategist Esther Ijewere offered a nuanced take, reflecting on Asake’s possible emotional wounds. “Rejection, especially from a parent, can shape a child’s entire existence… What I do know is that Asake deserves love from his family, not a public spectacle,” she wrote, urging parents to be present and intentional.
The whirlwind of accusations, reconciliation, and reflection underscores the complex interplay of fame, family, and public perception in Asake’s life, leaving a lasting buzz in its wake.
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