Music
ON THE SCENE: ASA
Hiya!
Since the release of her eponymous debut album, Asa (meaning – hawk) has been tipped to become an unstoppable juggernaut.Being hailed by most of the British press as the proprietor of “Afro-Folk” music, her originality has gathered more spins on the airwaves and now her new single ‘Jailer’ is set to bring her to the forefront. But as we all know, for the artist, its all about the live performance.
Home to great rock bands and stellar musical performances, the Carling Academy in Islington hosted Asa’s first London gig on Monday the 12th of May and I was there to hone in on all the excitement. I even sneaked in a little chat with her back stage before the gig.
Ok.. So I cant help it but I have to say its only natural that we had a two hour intermission 
before we could be graced by the voice of Ms Asa herself (African time never goes amiss).
The band was on top form and she opened the gig from behind the stage with “360 degrees” and there was no doubt that everyone at the Academy was a complete Asa fanatic. They went berserk once she appeared on stage and oh yes there were the resounding echoes to “Bibanke”. She managed to tame the crowd with a bit of freestyle and jiving. She even gave us a hint of vocal gymnastics every now and again. We were able to hear her really perform on “No One Knows Tomorrow” accompanied by a samba laced beat and equally amazing percussion. Asa serenaded us with an acoustic set for the track “Subway” and the forever captivating “Beautiful”.
I remember seeing a girl crying hysterically to ‘Beautiful’, who knew that Asa had the power to tickle the tear glands.
In my opinion, her voice and music really shines through in these acoustic and semi-acoustic arrangements. It didn’t take long for the karaoke house to come alive to the singles “Jailer” and “Fire on the Mountain”. I was still a little bombed by the fact that I didn’t get to hear my favourite track on the album “Iba”.
She reintroduced the band back on stage for the track ‘Awe’ creating a stand-up meets ‘Tales By Moonlight’ atmosphere (don’t pretend you dint used to watch tales by moonlight when you were a youngin).
During the performance, she enchanted and mesmerised the crowd with the vocal repetition on the lyric “O bi mo” and left me with that all so familiar shiver down the spine.
She danced her way through the instrumentals letting the band shine through in their entire element. Who knew that Asa was such a hot stepper with an incredible sense of humour on the stage. It was also great to see her invite some audience members to enjoy the spotlight with her, Tamilore Kuboye did an amazing job when she was put on the spot and called up stage to sing briefly.
Watching Asa perform was really what jam sessions were about, Interacting with the crowd, entertaining and just rocking out with musicians on stage.
before she moved to France. The thing is that she takes a more philosophical perspective to these things these days. She claims that she has no resentment towards them these days and since she got to record the album the proper way, the most important thing is that she is free. On the subject of defining her music, Asa says “I see my music as soul music and this is because I sing from my heart and soul and that is where it all comes from”.
Unbiased
May 21, 2008 at 11:41 am
I personally think Asa is a hot talented female. When’s she coming to ireland. lol!!
Chineze Osayi
May 21, 2008 at 11:44 am
Bella babes, you were in London and we did not see. Oh gosh, pls, i would like to see you, next time. Maybe. I tell you gurl, Asa ROCKS. I hope you had a good time in South Africa with or without limited Internet access. You sure deserve it – the fun.
Arewa!!
May 21, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Asa is so talented! Hopefully i get to see her perform live soon. Good job on the review Wana!!!!
Anonymous
May 21, 2008 at 1:37 pm
im 4th
Anonymous
May 21, 2008 at 3:03 pm
love, love, love Asa! When will she be in the States?!
BrownSugar
May 21, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Asa is the best the best thing that happened to my playlist. And i have done a good job influencing my friends … The lady is awesome!
QMoney
May 21, 2008 at 3:34 pm
i made 1st 10!yipeeeeeeeeeee
Ayodeji
May 21, 2008 at 4:33 pm
God married the uncompromising soul of Sade Adu with the mesmerizing voice and command of Lauryn Hill (L-Boogie) and so ASA was born. Her lyrics paint canvases over one’s imaginantion and her voice…birds would learn envy at its teaching…
She is truly something special.
Glamfabfashion
May 21, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Asa is truly inspirational. LOVE LOVE her album.
NoLimit
May 21, 2008 at 11:00 pm
She’s an inspiration…apparently she has been singing for quite a while before she bursted into lime light recently…saw one of the interviews she gave and she said something really profound that stuck like glue…she said she is ready to sing with any body from any nationality and that’s cos she keeps practising and improving on her skills…moral of the story…what so ever my hand finds to do now…it’s got to be done to the best of my ability!
nigLyrics
May 22, 2008 at 3:38 am
Asa is definitely the second greatest musician to come out of africa after Fela of course. I listen to her song at least five times in a day.
wordsmith
May 22, 2008 at 5:37 am
she’s so awesome…
1stpet2v9
May 22, 2008 at 9:11 pm
love love love Asa..
still deciding on d vid
bumight
May 22, 2008 at 9:51 pm
the video suited her style, I must say. It looks top quality also.
Zena
May 22, 2008 at 10:39 pm
I love Asa, infact kai!! I’m so excited by the videp
ASA ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!
Iyaeto
May 23, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Yeeeeeeeeesassssssss!I was there live. I had so much fun. I didn’t believe a large number of people could ocme out on a week night to enjoy themselves. I found my way to the front and I sat on the bar with my glasses full of this and that. I was amongs the group chanting IBA!! IBA IBA!!!! .ASA ROCKS any day!!!
WorkInProgress
May 24, 2008 at 10:01 pm
i love her!!!
Anonymous
May 25, 2008 at 12:10 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OO2D86qebo
Check out this cover of Asa’s jailer by another Nigerian musician
editorgal
May 26, 2008 at 8:03 pm
I think Asa rocks like seriously. I listen to her in my car all the time. I love Eye Adaba, Mr Jailer, Fimisile and of course Fire on the mountain. This girl is something special.
PS: Good review…
Olasupo olufemi
October 4, 2009 at 2:06 pm
I can’t say much ‘she’s d best’