Rita Odafe
Stephen Nana, also known as Stevenator, who previously managed singer Asake, has shared the reasons behind his departure from the role.
To revisit, Stevenator served as Asake’s manager from 2022 until 2024.
In a widely shared interview online, he expressed that he needed to step back when Asake rose to fame beyond what he could effectively manage.
He also took a moment to commend Olamide, the head of YBNL record label, for the opportunity to manage Asake.
He mentioned, “Olamide reached out to me one day, mentioning he had an artist he wanted me to manage. This marked my initial foray into management. I didn’t have prior experience in this field. Olamide and I have been friends for over two decades.”
“I had never encountered Asake prior to this, and I was unaware of his music. The learning curve was practically non-existent, as Asake’s popularity skyrocketed almost overnight, leaving me no time to adjust.”
“The biggest hurdle was my family life. I had two young sons, and my schedule left little room for them. Being a family-oriented person, I struggled to support them while ensuring they lived comfortably.”
“There were times we were traveling for months on end. I often stayed connected with my kids through calls. I even invited them to London, but my younger son hesitated to come, as he didn’t know me well. In order to find a balance between my professional commitments and family responsibilities, I recognized the need to step down. Asake’s career had taken off to a point where I had to follow him closely, and now, I prioritize my family and cherish my wife.”
You can view the interview below:
“Asake became way too big for me to manage”
– Ex-Manager of Asake, Steve Nana pic.twitter.com/WtzX8zwY6Q
— OLAMIDE (@Olamide0fficial) May 31, 2025
