Stephen Nana, popularly known as Stevenator and former manager to Afrobeats star Asake, has opened up about the reason behind their professional split. Speaking in a viral interview, Stevenator, who managed Asake between 2022 and 2024, revealed that the singer’s rapid rise to fame became too overwhelming for him to handle.
According to him, it was music mogul Olamide—founder of YBNL—who introduced him to artist management by asking him to oversee Asake’s career. Despite his long-standing friendship with Olamide spanning over two decades, Stevenator admitted he had no prior experience managing artists and had never even listened to Asake’s music before.
“Asake’s rise was so fast that I didn’t have time to learn the ropes. Everything came at once—shows, tours, interviews—it was non-stop,” he said.
He went on to share how the demands of the job took a toll on his personal life. As a father of two, Stevenator said he often had to communicate with his children over the phone, as he spent months on the road. A heartbreaking moment came when he traveled to London and his younger son wouldn’t let him carry him, not recognizing his father due to their time apart.
“I’m a family man. It hit me hard when my own son wouldn’t let me hold him. That’s when I knew I had to choose. I had to prioritize my family and step away,” he explained.
He praised Asake’s talent and success, saying the artist became so big that managing him required full-time travel and commitment. “He outgrew me,” Stevenator added. “Now, I’m fully focused on being a husband and father—and I love it.”
Watch the full interview below..
https://x.com/Olamide0fficial/status/1928692405944881159?s=19