Nigerian-American entrepreneur Toki Anifowose has shared how he first met Afrobeats singer Asake in Los Angeles, revealing that they connected on the same night after being introduced by a mutual friend.

Toki spoke about the meeting during a question-and-answer session with ZIRA, explaining that a friend named Oliver had arranged for him to meet a Nigerian artist without revealing the person's identity.

Toki & Asake

He said he was already listening to Asake at the time and was pleased to discover that the singer was the person Oliver had arranged for him to meet. The introduction took place at an Airbnb, after which they went to a club together.

“He didn't tell me who it was, and at the time, I also loved Asake. Then he told Asake he had a Nigerian he wanted to meet and then, the same day I met him, we clicked,” he said.

During the same conversation, Toki identified a dollar-sign jewelry piece he made for Asake as probably the most expensive item he had produced.

His connection to the singer also extends to music. Toki is credited as a background vocalist on “Skillful – Live in London”, a recording from Asake's M$NEY Live in London project.

Oluwatoki Anifowose is a Nigerian-born, multifaceted music professional working across A&R, promotion, and digital content, with a growing influence on how contemporary African music is developed and presented to audiences. He is the founder of ANNIFF Jewels, a jewelry business, and has previously managed and worked with artists in the United States.