He’s always been “Acteeeeffffff!” But are his fans feeling it this time?
When Nigerian singer Asake released his song “Active” featuring Houston’s very own Travis Scott, as a welcome gift to his fourth studio album, “Lungu Boy,” the anticipation that had been hitherto building was expected to explode into an all-out frenzy, however, unlike previous Asake releases, this wasn’t to be the case. By the time reviews had rolled in, they were more lukewarm than expected.
Popular social media commentator, Daniel Regha was among the first to voice his criticism. Taking to X, he tweeted:
“Asake’s new song “Active” featuring Travis Scott is quite a disappointing collab; Asides the beats & catchy intro, the song has absolutely no substance. Asake didn’t push his pen, but Travis’ verse was no better either. There’s also too much going on in the music video with no meaningful msg conveyed. Asake had the potential to do better. The track is a 2.5/10 simply due to the beats, intro/chorus, & flow. No offense.”
Now, while many may be tempted to raise an eyebrow or two on Daniel’s musical takes, it turns out he wasn’t the only one left underwhelmed. Many fans just weren’t in touch with the new track.
One user, Griot, bluntly called it “one of those international collaborations we will forget easily.” Another listener was more diplomatic in his approach by saying, “It’s a good song, just felt kinda empty to me.”
The indifference was a continuing trend:
Guns&Roses quipped, “This one no be let it grow on you o,.”
@oladapo_akorede admitted, “As I love Asake reach me I never feel this music ooo”
@boladeking added, “Let me say I expect more, or it might hit later as I listen to it more”
@dami_mastermind chimed in, “Not really feeling right now, it might set it later sha but the one with Central Cee, feel it first listening”
It did not help that a part of the lyrics for this track sampled Fuji artiste Adewale Ayuba’s “Raise Da Roof.”
One user had a problem with that and the production: “…the beat is thrash! And he sampled that “ma Jo fine girl” side, forgotten who sang the song!…”
Of course, there were positive reviews and a few endorsements, like “Best international feature we’ve heard in a while…that Afro Fuji bop about to change the game! and “This right here is just too hard!!! We might have our song of the year here.”
There’s the fiercely loyal,
“If you call this song trash, I swear on my life you need serious therapy.”
Alongside,
“This right here is just too hard!!! We might have our song of the year here.”
But not on the scale we’ve come to expect from Asake’s bangers— especially one featuring an international juggernaut like Scott.
So, while “Active” may have sparked some buzz, it seems the house is divided, and this track might just need a little more time to find its footing—or not.