A photo of Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Asake with French fashion legend Michèle Lamy has ignited a flurry of reactions across social media, with fans and critics weighing in on the striking visual.
The image, taken in France, features Asake alongside the 79-year-old muse and creative partner of designer Rick Owens. Known for her gothic aesthetic, Lamy’s appearance—marked by dark eyeliner, finger tattoos, and gold-plated teeth—immediately sparked online chatter.
Asake, who previously performed with Wizkid at the Hollywood Bowl, shared the photo on his Instastory, suggesting a growing interest in global fashion and artistic expression. While many praised the crossover as evidence of Asake’s expanding international influence, some users accused him of associating with the occult, fuelling Illuminati conspiracy theories.
@isleofskincare:”Same with Rema. Rema looks like he’s not coming back.”
@alaye_ng:”She and her husband Rick Owens are allegedly high priests in the Illuminati Hierarchy. She Performs all sorts of dark magic and that’s why all the Hollywood celebrities pay reverence to her.”
@iamossy_:”That lady is the main Iyaloja. You ain’t going nowhere without her blessing.”
@EduOmg2023:”Asake na deep pikin too… you think he dey do him own stuff with clear eye?”
@i_am_olamide1:”Asake go meet person wey strong pass hin village ppl I respect that.”
@OghenekomeEvans:”Asake’s global move is bold, but every throne comes with a price. Michèle Lamy isn’t just “artsy”. she’s powerful. Let’s not act naive.”
Cultural analysts have dismissed the claims, saying the backlash reflects a misunderstanding of avant-garde art and fashion. ”Sit this one out, bro. What is it with some Africans and their misconceptions about how things work in Western countries? Do you have any proof that Michele Lamy is who you think she is? As for Asake, I don’t see anything wrong with him trying to integrate into the Western.” @Magnus_Brown105 noted.