A Biography of Asa
Pictures Benoit Peverelli, taken from Asa Offical site www.asa-official.com
Asa was born in 1982 in Paris. She livedthere for two years and after she went to Lagos in Nigeria. Her real name is Bukola Elemide and her nickname Asa means “little hawk” because when she was young she often ran away and changed directions like a hawk.
Her mother was a shopkeeper and her father shot video reports for weddings and that’s how she discovered music more particularly Bob Marley and Fela Kutti’s songs. She has got three brothers.
She has been singing since she was young that’s why she went to Peter King’s Music school and learnt the guitar. In 2002 she came to France on a Jazz project with Nigerian musicians and then in 2004 she came back to Paris to start her career. She had a fund from the French cultural center of Lagos. Moreover she worked with Manu Dibango. Then she recorded her first album and the songs are in English and Yoruba as she can’t speak French very well, but she wants to learn the language.
She is success full thanks to her lyrics which deal with Africa, everyday life things with lots of irony. She is the new singer of soul, pop and reggae music!!!! She is compared to Tracy Chapman.
Geoffrey Bonamy, Caroline Fougère, Julien Laloye, Maxime Lasserre, Tom Piguet, Dimitri Marchal-Vincendeau ( 3°C)
June 26th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Asha is a unique singer with an enticing and passionate voice. personally, i like her creativity and her style of music. she sings moral songs basically. more grace to her. Chencor
July 17th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Asa is one one great musician we have in Nigeria today, all her songs are really catchy and i most confess, she is tallented. i cant wait to hear more from her recordings, she is great and i’d wish i can sing, produce and direct like her. stay blessed. Diana from Abuja.
August 1st, 2008 at 11:42 am
i love my girl asa you are too too too mosh this girl i luv your music you are great kept it up asa.i want to hear more music from you asa.you are so proudly nigeria and african child in the would…
August 15th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
She does more than captivate each time I listen to her, Her English and Yoruba songs make me wonder where she grew up from, I asked my brother who gave her the Ideas she has. you are the best…….Asa thumps up
August 17th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
SHE IS TREMENDIOUS WHEN IT COMES TO PERFORMANCE. I SEE THE FUGEES IN HER CREATIVITY. SHE IS DOWN TO EARTH AND SUPERB.
HER MUSIC MAKES ME KNOW THAT AM AN AFRICAN
August 17th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Asa,
You are the bomb.
Your music is out of this world,love singing along to all your tracks.
Would love to meet you.
August 21st, 2008 at 2:33 pm
I love asa she is a good singer whenever i listen to her music. I feel like seeing her.cudos to a great singer
September 4th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
I love your songs… keep it up real and good. i have even Remixed two of your songs, by changing the beat of the song. Fire on d m and Jailer… see your around… DJ INDO
September 15th, 2008 at 1:10 am
Asa is a legend, whenever i listening to her music , am always inspired and also drew me closer to my motherland {NIGERIA}.
keep it up sweetie,hope to meet you one day.
September 15th, 2008 at 1:11 am
Asa is a legend, her music gave me inspiration and i will love to meet you one day, keep ya head up sweetie.
September 30th, 2008 at 8:17 am
Everyday i listen to the album. Is the best album i’ve heard this year… So good She’s from africa… You should come to Mozambique.
PPl Love you here
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:50 am
I personally like Asa for the kind of music she choose with a lovely her lovey vioce.
October 8th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Asa is not just an artiste but a singer wit a mesage dat impart.motivate and transform d mind.i wil b avin a colabo wit asa soön.
October 22nd, 2008 at 11:49 am
I love like the girl, she know what she’s doin, her song Jailer hits here in Tanzania and I real like it.. When I listen to her songs I feel like I know her, Kip it Up girl U rock..
November 16th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
You are amazing Asa, I am love your music, You like Marley and Lucky Dube,Keep it Up Girl We are Proud of you Africa. sam America
November 25th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Asa is the bomb and the hottest thing happening right now in Nigeria. We love you babe and keep doing what you are doing. your work is the most original thing I’ve seen so far in Nigeria. Even if I’m not sayig it know it that I luv your work. Keep up the good work…. Andy 4rm 9geria
December 17th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
asa is a gifted singer,when ever i listen to her song my hearts is filled with joy cos each of her track has a mood it goes with ,am talking of my self,more grease to your elbow asa[hawk]
December 23rd, 2008 at 12:30 pm
NICE JOB PLEASE KEEP IT REAL ONE LOVE BECAUSE MUZIC NICE COMES TWISE ALL THE WAY FRM OKOKOMAIKO LAGOS………………..DJ AZ BABA
January 18th, 2009 at 1:12 am
Asa is not just a talented singer, she is a gifted musician, cos she plays her guitar so well. Her music makes a real good sense, meaning and reality in its entirety. Her music can not be compared with those crap of songs that rend the air. I look forward to seeing you prove the critics wrong in your next effort, that you are indeed for the task. Well done and keep it up.
March 13th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
ASA IS A SINE QUA NON WHEN IT COMES TO SOUL MUSIC..SHE IS A PRIDE OF NIGERIA, AN HONOUR TO AFRICA AND A BLESSING TO THE WORLD..KEEP IT UP..LASU
March 31st, 2009 at 10:34 am
Asa is my inner feeling when It comes to soul music,
Personal I hv never find an african singer who took my emotion far like the way she did.
She is great and i believe she have got wide space to play.
April 15th, 2009 at 5:46 am
Asa I love your song jailer……….I would like to know when you will be in concert here in the US. I really love your style in music and you writer so meaningful and beautifu.
April 22nd, 2009 at 12:14 am
Asa is great artist :)
April 24th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
What a grace to have this wonder from our OWN NIGERIA.
You are a gift to both NIGERIA and the WORLD at large for all i care.
ASA! you are the bomb, stay on TOP.
July 21st, 2009 at 3:57 pm
I really love her music. She’s very focus and it’s very hard for fools to explain or understaond her lyrics. Wish to be like her too. keep it up baby
August 3rd, 2009 at 9:48 am
Ohhh My God !! I wish am your Brother.I would have been always proud of you because you are the bomb and again your type of talent is rear.I wish I could sit down with you and you tell me in words how you come accross This, When am cryingggggggggggg when am dieinggggggggg Asa listening to your Music right now while writting this in tears of joy,Am so much happy and feel fortunate I have someone like you from my tribe Youruba and again same name with my sister,which she’s you.well am sure Someday will meet you in person and when i does you wont leave until i can meet you everyday.
September 15th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Well, this lady is simply phenomenal and just like herself. Ride on and i am anxiously expecting your next album.
October 12th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
I am Peter King’s good fan, and by the time I found out that Asa attended Peter King music school, i was more impressed.
Asa is good,I had to resign from my bank job becos I want to study music in Peter King Music Schoo, Badagry. I love music, but no know of it now, but I know that when i am out, i sure would make a mark too.
I really appreciate what Asa is doing becos she has proved to be a professional Musician and not singing along her CD.
I get encouraged when I hear her sing though I was unable to make to civic centere in lagos. i also wish her the best in her career
October 29th, 2009 at 11:11 am
an awesome singer.
October 30th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
heey,asa is the best inspirational and motivational singer in africa….i love you darling.
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:28 pm
oh, this article has been wrote by my friend Caroline (2years ago..yeah.)!!
..well, all I can say about Asa.. She’s got a very beautiful voice, and her song called” 360 ” is a real call to ecology ..
November 22nd, 2009 at 2:22 pm
I love her very,i believe that as a person u have to appreciate good music doesnt matter in which tongue it’s sang..i dnt hear wat she say on sum of her tune bt dat doesnt stop me frm singin,i jst make up my own words*lol*. Perfect JOB Asa
February 13th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
He he! I enjoy Asa’s music more than anything. Even if I am sad, i will still laugh when listening to her music
Imagine, sum1 said she did not nderstand her language but she love her music, what should i say when i understand the tongue she speaks,
I love you too much
Grand Ma, ride on jare… you are no longer a little hawk now a big hawk
ride on ride on ride on
February 20th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
Asa is a wonderful irony singer,
Tracy Chapman of our time.
I love her songs.
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:34 pm
how do i get in touch with her i need get her view on some areas of her kind of music.Am into song writing and i need to know how to write in her genre of music.i will really appreciate it.
March 15th, 2010 at 5:32 pm
I have dying to know the biography of this charming and talented lady of our time. She sings imagination and phenomical irony of our era. Dear Bukola Elemile, i love you that is why i make fun of you.
April 6th, 2010 at 2:56 pm
Asa remains a blessing to Nigeria and the world in general. I don’t know if there is any female singer here whom i can use in compering her for now because i know she is one among three generations and nobody in the history of Nigeria has done what she has done. i love her so much that i would do anything that is worth doing for an icon of dynamism. i love all her lyrics she sings as a prophet and speak as one who is bless with the power to foresee what tomorrow has in store for all of us. Asa you are my treasure i adore you so so much. thanks for the inspirations and God will continue to bless you and your family. once again thanks and God bless
April 25th, 2010 at 7:31 pm
I love to hear Asa’s song always ‘cos it is full of understanding.
whenever I am less busy, I try to listen and grab some message of encouraging in her songs.
Asa always look cool and fill relaxing while singing.I always admire her voice and being a guitarist is a challenge to me as a singer to learn a musical instrument as many.
I lov U ASA
May 24th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
The first tine i heard your music in 2008,i thought another foreing musictian had erupted,i never knew it was a BLACK PRETTY NIGERIAN.HONESTLY,Your a genus in the music world.how i wish i could see you to express how i feel 4 U.i love you,your musics,mostly fire on the mountain.keep it up and attain the highest level you can.
May 27th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
u see wat av been talking about my earth living angel A.S.A always staying around is wat i av been expecting cos one day am gonna luv u n kiss u cos am madly in luv with u………..am always ur big fan i gat all ur muziks on my memory n i listen to them everyday Tosyn .A. From Badagry Magbon
May 28th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
Well i have to say ASA is really wonderfully made by God, she is talented by God,She is so loved by everyone and even when am going down she gives me breath..But i wonder when people say ASA means “HAWk” i never knew every nick name has meaning………..but i must to confess you are great keep raining……………kudos to Bamidele Elemide Alias…………ASA………..
June 30th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
i like her so much.she is my best female musician. for sure, i’m gonna see her very soon
June 30th, 2010 at 6:22 pm
i like her so much.she is my best female musician. for sure, i’m gonna see her very soon.God bless asa
July 8th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
I love Asa,i love her music in-fact! she is my mentor in music,cant stop listening to her songs all day especially ”IBA”. Can score it like mad,keep it up lady!!!!!!
July 22nd, 2010 at 9:15 pm
she is the perfect blend of Nigeria music. she has set a great standard that i dont think can be broken easily. she is my best 9ja act so far
July 26th, 2010 at 1:41 am
asa, go ahead and fulfilled your gods given destiny.the generation yet unborn will celebrate you. you are original.
July 26th, 2010 at 8:11 pm
she is an icon,she should be celebrate while alive
July 26th, 2010 at 8:45 pm
Asa has the understanding of what music is all about, I like her bcos in every of her lyrics she passes a message across she is poetic in her songs and she has confidence in her swag that’s what make’s a musician unique.!
July 26th, 2010 at 10:47 pm
If there is any correct word under heaven for me to describe the creative works of Asa, it will be an understatement for it. Asa, to attest to the truth, I love you cos you are an epitome of God’s wonder on earth. It makes me to reminiscence good old daz. Gbosa for you, ASA
July 27th, 2010 at 5:44 pm
Asa to me is an inspirational singer……. her songs lifts my spirit, she is so easy to back-up
August 3rd, 2010 at 5:15 pm
what ’s up asa, you are my favourite female artist in africa, keep it up,
i cant wait to hear more from you.
holler at your boy.