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19 November 2008
PARIS – Nigerian singer-songwriter Asa won France’s prestigious Constantin award for new musical talent Monday night for her self-titled album blending folk, soul and reggae.
Born in France but raised in Lagos, Asa, which means falcon in her native Yoruba language, was voted best fresh talent of 10 singers or groups by a jury of 19 music industry specialists at the Olympia concert-hall in Paris.
Often compared to Tracy Chapman or fellow-Nigerian singer Ayo, her first single was "Fire on the Mountain," a song about ecological disaster.
"I want to sing for the world, not just be seen as an African singer," she told AFP in a recent interview.
[AFP / Expatica]