Wizkid and Asake Thrill Thousands With ‘MMS’ Performance at Brooklyn’s Red Bull Symphonic

Asake Makes History at Red Bull Symphonic New York With a Surprise Wizkid Moment That Shook the Internet

Afrobeats just had another defining moment. On a crisp night in New York City, Asake took center stage at Red Bull Symphonic, fusing street-pop with orchestral brilliance in a performance that proved the genre can hold its own with any sound in the world and still make the crowd move.

Following rapper Rick Ross (Atlanta, 2022) and producer Metro Boomin (Los Angeles, 2023), Asake became the first African artist to headline the U.S. edition of Red Bull Symphonic a concert series designed to blend contemporary music with full classical orchestration.

But what no one saw coming was Wizkid’s surprise appearance, a moment that sent Brooklyn’s Kings Theatre into a frenzy and lit up social media across continents.

Wizkid Joins Asake for an Unforgettable Moment

Midway through the show, the lights dimmed and out of nowhere, Wizkid strolled onto the stage. The audience erupted as the two Afrobeats heavyweights performed their 2024 hit “MMS”, this time backed by a 33-piece live orchestra led by conductor Glenn Alexander II.

Asake’s raw, street-pop intensity met Wizkid’s smooth, effortless calm in a fusion that perfectly captured Afrobeats’ duality: vibrant and refined, local yet global.

Beyond the spectacle, the moment carried deep meaning. Wizkid’s appearance wasn’t just about music it was a symbolic passing of the torch. The Afrobeats icon, already nominated for a 2026 Grammy in the Best African Music Performance category for “Gimme Dat” with Ayra Starr, stood alongside one of the genre’s fastest-rising stars.

Fans React: “Asake No Small Again Ooo”

Unsurprisingly, the internet went wild. Clips from the performance dominated timelines, with fans praising both stars for the electric chemistry on stage.

One fan, @flyometrics, wrote:

“Now I understand why Wiz fans love him with every iota of their being. He’s AURA himself, effortlessly talented. Delivery 100%, class personified.”

Another, @AyoEchika, added:

“Asake is such a lucky boy because he has two big brothers in the music industry. Olamide and Big Wiz.”

And @jerugr8 summed it up perfectly:

“Asake no small again ooo.”

Red Bull Symphonic: A Cultural Reset

For Asake, the night was a career-defining moment and a powerful statement for Afrobeats as a whole. The two-time Grammy nominee approached the challenge with his trademark precision and creativity, reimagining hits like “Peace Be Unto You” and “Lonely at the Top” through a full orchestral lens.

“Classical music was influential in my childhood and love for music,” Asake shared. “Blending it with fújì, Afrobeats, and Amapiano alongside a full orchestra is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’m excited for what it will do for the culture, and for my fans to rediscover my music in a new light.”

Conductor Glenn Alexander II echoed that respect for authenticity, saying:

“The last thing you want is a cheap version of something, right? That would be disrespectful to the integrity of the music.”

Afrobeats on the World Stage

By choosing Asake, Red Bull Symphonic didn’t just book a headliner they made a statement. The night proved that Afrobeats can evolve, expand, and still move the crowd, no matter the setting or genre crossover.

From Lagos to Brooklyn, Asake’s symphonic takeover was more than a performance it was a moment of cultural elevation. And with Wizkid by his side, it was also a reminder: Afrobeats is not just global it’s timeless.