Asa: Isn't She Lovely!

Written By: Nani Hapa—To hear culturally conscious singer/songwriter Asa (pronounced "Asha") talk about her music, is to fall in love with everything that her music stands for. "I want my music to touch people. As an African, I want to give hope back to my people, but also to speak in their name. I want to show the world that something beautiful and positive can come out of the black continent and inspire young people all over the world.”

Although Asa has been around for a number of years (she has opened for acts such as Akon and John Legend), her music made its way into my CD collection only last week after a good friend urged me to listen to her to cure my homesickness. It takes all of one minute of listening to Asa to be captivated by her sound. I don't think words can do justice to Asa's music, but here's my humble attempt: spirited, soulful, emotional, personal, raspy, and lovely. Asa's eponymous debut CD (released in 2007) is available everywhere.

(Photo Credits: Lauren Dukoff)