The recent music video featuring singer Ahmed Ololade, also referred to as Asake, has caused controversy due to his depiction of a priest. Asake, accompanied by singers and dancers, is shown leading a mass in a Catholic church in the video, disguised as priests.
Several Nigerians, including Solomon Buchi, have criticized Asake’s outfit and prop choices, calling attention to what they see as a disrespect to Christianity. Buchi expressed his dissatisfaction on social media, calling Asake’s conduct “disrespectful” and wondering why Christians were still buying his songs.
Buchi drew attention to several instances from Asake’s earlier music videos where he believed the musician had disparagingly portrayed Christian symbols. He asked why Asake, who is thought to be Muslim, doesn’t use his artistic expression to criticize Islamic ideas in a similar way.
Buchi’s comments raise more general concerns about the limits of artistic expression, consideration for religious sensitivities, and the obligation placed on artists to weigh the possible effects of their decisions on a range of audiences.
