Aṣa (pronounced “Asha”; born September 17, 1982)[1] is a Nigerian French singer, songwriter, and recording artist. Her stage title “Aṣa” means “Hawk” in Yoruba.

Born Bukola Elemide, Aṣa was born in Paris, France to her Nigerian dad and mom. Her household returned to dwell in Nigeria when she was two. Aṣa grew up in a small city close to Lagos, within the south-western a part of Nigeria. Twenty years later, Aṣa returned to Paris the place her life as an artist took off.

Whenever Asa got here residence from faculty in Nigeria, she found musical acts likeErykah Badu, D’Angelo, Raphael Saadiq,Lauryn Hill, Femi Kuti and Angélique Kidjo. This was whereas she was in pursuit of instructional excellence, and these musical acts are whose footprints she dreamed of following.

Aṣa was the one feminine little one within the household and had three brothers. At a younger age she started to take care of the home throughout her dad and mom’ frequent absences. This is when Aṣa began to sing. Over the years her father had constructed up a high quality assortment of data that includes soul classics and Nigerian music, together with Marvin Gaye, Fela Kuti,Bob Marley, Aretha Franklin, King Sunny Adé, Ebenezer Obey and Lagbaja and Asa went on to attract inspiration from them.

In 2004 Aṣa met her supervisor and pal, Janet, who launched her to Cobhams Emmanuel Asuquo, who in flip grew to become her musical associate and producer.

At this stage of her life,[when?] Aṣa returned to Paris. Back in Nigeria, her first single, “Eyé Adaba,” then “Jailer,” have been starting to get airtime. Aṣa quickly signed to Naïve Records. Partnered with Cobhams, and with the brand new involvement of Christophe Dupouy, she produced her first album, Aṣa. The launch of the album noticed Aṣa win the distinguished French Constantin Award in 2008, the place she was voted finest contemporary expertise of 10 singers or teams by a jury of 19 music-trade specialists in Paris.

Her second album, Beautiful Imperfection, was launched on 25 October 2010. The lead single from Beautiful Imperfection is titled “Be My Man” and was launched in late September. A video for the tune was launched in mid-October. She additionally carried out with Féfé on the Sydney Festival in 2011[2]

In 2014, it was reported that earlier than the discharge of Bed of Stone, Asa offered 400,000 albums worldwide