(L-R) Asaka The Renegade, Sam Watson, courtesy of Nappy Boy Entertainment
In a city known for its grit, hustle, and raw musical talent, two of Detroit’s own, Asaka The Renegade and Sam Watson, have emerged as stars on a national stage. Under the guidance of CM2 Entertainment, the dynamic duo recently fought their way to the Top 3 in T-Pain’s March Music Madness competition, a high-stakes battle of artistry, determination, and resilience. And when the dust settled, Asaka stood victorious, securing a game-changing win that will propel his career to new heights.
Asaka has returned from Atlanta and is back in Detroit. He is still riding the high of winning the competition and says he feels comfortable at this moment after working so hard, but there is more work to be done.
“I just feel like, you do something in life, or something very big happens to you. You feel like you deserve it, and you feel like you worked hard for it,” Asaka said.
“It’s one of those feelings; I really do genuinely feel like the amount of work that I’ve put in, even over the last 10 years, but specifically over this competition, I feel like it definitely paid off. I also feel like things happen the way that God ordained them too, because from somebody causing some ruckus, trying to cheat to me being brought back, and then, ironically, I’ll win the whole thing.”
Asaka The Renegade, after winning T-Pain’s March Music Madness, courtesy of Nappy Boy Entertainment
The brainchild of Grammy-winning artist T-Pain, March Music Madness was no ordinary contest. The legendary singer, producer, and entrepreneur personally funded the entire project, offering an unprecedented prize package: a single deal with Nappy Boy Entertainment, a coveted feature from T-Pain himself, extensive marketing and promotional support, a brand-new car, and top-tier studio equipment. This was more than just a contest for independent artists; it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
With thousands of submissions pouring in from across the country, Asaka The Renegade and Sam Watson faced stiff competition. Their music is a blend of Detroit’s signature sound infused with their unique artistry, and it quickly caught the attention of fans and judges alike. They delivered electrifying performances round after round, earning their place among the final three contenders.
Just as the competition reached its peak, a shocking twist threatened to shake its integrity. An investigation revealed that one of the contestants had resorted to underhanded tactics in an effort to manipulate the outcome. What made the scandal even more egregious was the revelation that this individual had specifically targeted Asaka, attempting to block him from advancing to the final round.
Despite the controversy, Asaka remained focused. His response? Let the music speak for itself. He doubled down on his craft with unwavering determination, proving that authenticity and talent would always outweigh deception. His resilience resonated deeply with fans, fueling an outpouring of support that propelled him to the final showdown.
On April 1st, T-Pain himself took to the stage to announce the winner. The anticipation was electric. The journey had been filled with twists, turns, and relentless competition, but in the end, it was Asaka The Renegade who emerged victorious. The announcement sent shockwaves through the music world and social media, solidifying Asaka’s status as a rising star to watch.
Sam Watson, his longtime collaborator and fellow CM2 Entertainment artist, stood proudly, knowing this victory was also a win for the city and the team that has supported them both from day one.
“We’ve been through hell and rain with each other, all the love, all the sacrifices, all the losses we’ve endured over the years and to make it into this competition together as brothers and just really shining a light on Detroit, better yet Michigan period was just a blessing in disguise. This is something that we’ve been working hard for,” Sam said.
Sam is no stranger to hard work and dedication as he made it to the top three in the competition. But with hard work came challenges, and the competition was full of them.
“We had to do a brand new song, an original song over an original beat. that was, the challenge that I had to overcome because it’s hard to steer away from an original song that you know and write a brand new song over it; that was the tough part,” Sam said.
“To overcome that challenge, I asked for help, like anybody else would. Shout out to my friend Drea Scott. She helped me get some lyrics together. And from there, it was a great challenge.”
Asaka reflects on going through a rough patch in my life, but Sam never treated him any differently and supported him every step of the way. Including in this competition emphasized that even though they were competing against each other simultaneously, it was a win for both if either of them won.
“Sam actually taught me how to record myself and how to sing,” Asaka said.
“He helped me get my vocals together and taught me how to mix. I spent a good part of the trip telling him, ‘I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you.’ Even outside of that, just him being a brother to me this whole time.”
With a Nappy Boy Entertainment single deal, a feature from T-Pain, and the resources to elevate his artistry, Asaka The Renegade is now positioned for the biggest chapter of his career. But if his journey in March Music Madness proved anything, it’s that he is built for the challenge.
As Detroit continues to produce some of the industry’s most groundbreaking artists, Asaka and Sam Watson’s success serves as a testament to the city’s enduring influence. Their journey is far from over, it’s only just beginning.
“The next step primarily, is just focused on the record with T-Pain. I’m more excited than anything to work with T-Pain. I’ve been listening to T-Pain since he came out. He’s been in my top three artists of all time forever. So that’s the next step,” Asaka said.
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