Star Of The Week: Asa

Star Of The Week: Asa

Born Bukola Elemide, Aṣa was born in Paris, France to Nigerian parents. Her family returned to live in Nigeria when she was only two. Aṣa grew up in a small town near Lagos, in the south-western part of Nigeria.

Twenty years later, Aṣa returned to Paris where her life as an artist took off. Asa came home home from school in France from time to time on holidays and whenever she was home, she would be drawn to musical acts like Erykah Badu, D'Angelo, Raphael Saadiq, Lauryn Hill, Femi Kuti and Angélique Kidjo and all the while she was in pursuit of educational excellence so, these musical acts were whose footprints she hoped to follow.

Aṣa started to sing at a very young age as she was the only girl in a house of three brothers and had to look after  the house during her parents' frequent absences.

Over the years her father had built up a fine collection of records featuring soul classics and Nigerian music, including Marvin Gaye, Fela Kuti, Bob Marley, Aretha Franklin, King Sunny Adé, Ebenezer Obey and Lagbaja and Asa went on to draw inspiration from them.

In 2004 Aṣa met her manager and friend, Janet, who introduced her to Cobhams Emmanuel Asuquo, who in turn became her musical partner and producer. At this stage of her life,  Aṣa returned to Paris. Back in Nigeria, her first single, "Eyé Adaba," then "Jailer," were beginning to get airtime. Aṣa soon signed to Naïve Records. Partnered with Cobhams, and with the new involvement of Christophe Dupouy, she produced her first album.

The release of the album saw Aṣa win the prestigious French Constantin Award in 2008, where she was voted best fresh talent of 10 singers or groups by a jury of 19 music-industry specialists in Paris. Her second album, Beautiful Imperfection, was released on 25 October 2010. The lead single from Beautiful Imperfection is titled "Be My Man" and was released in late September.

         

Asa has these awards and nominations to her credit:

2008: Headies Album of the year 2008: Prix Constantin 2011: French Music Awards Victoires de la Musique nomination for "Female Artist of the Year". 2015: Headies nomination for "Best "R&B/Pop Album", "Best Alternative Song", "Best Vocal Performance (Female)", and "Best Recording of the Year"