Asake Takes Center Stage in MLS as Guest of Honour, Conducts Coin Toss

Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Ahmed Ololade, popularly known as Asake, stepped into a new spotlight this weekend,  not on stage, but at a Major League Soccer match in New York.

The award-winning singer was invited as guest of honour to perform the ceremonial coin toss ahead of the MLS face-off between the New York Red Bulls and Columbus Crew. He took to Instagram to share photos and video clips from the event, capturing his moment standing between match officials before kickoff. In the caption, he wrote: “Asake music gives you wings.”
One of Asake’s hit songs was played over the stadium’s PA system during the ceremony, a testament to his growing influence in global music and culture.

In the footage, fans watched him exchange handshakes with both team captains and pose alongside match officials. He later engaged in a lighthearted interaction on the pitch, juggling a football while 36-year-old Cameroon international Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting looked on. The two shared a handshake and some brief conversation, sealing an unexpectedly sporty moment.

Asake first grabbed public attention in 2020 with his breakout single “Lady” and quickly rose through the ranks after signing with YBNL in 2022. Since then, he has released three acclaimed studio albums: Mr Money With The Vibes (2022), Work of Art (2023), and Lungu Boy (2024). The singer also earned a Grammy nomination in 2025 for Best African Music Performance, a nod to his global acclaim.

Asake’s role in the MLS event underscores a growing trend: African music artists crossing over into international arenas, earning recognition well beyond the stage.