Asa – pronounced Asha – was born in Paris but raised in Lagos, Nigeria. She began risking her first notes during childhood to the influence of the music of Marvin Gaye, Bob Marley, Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey and Fela Kuti. Later, while studying in the French capital, she went on to hone her singing by listening to artists like Lauryn Hill, Erika Badu, Angelique Kidjo, D’Angelo and Rafel Saadiq.

Her first eponymous disc was released in 2007 and presented a singer with a very particular and distinctive timbre. The album received positive reception and caught attention due to the mix of R&B, pop, soul, world music, reggae and funk. Another highlight was the songs sung in Yoruba, a language spoken by people of West Africa.

Two years later, the Naïve label released a live CD with bonus DVD, from a concert of hers at the Bataclan in Paris. In addition to her own songs, also worth mentioning is her cover version of “Feeling Good”, immortalized by the voice of Nina Simone. In October 2010, she launched her second studio recording, “Beautiful Imperfection,” which has 12 tracks and a 60’s-inspired single called “Be My Man.”