Aṣa (pronounced Aasha) means "little hawk". She was born in Paris to Nigerian parents, but after two years she moved with her parents to Nigeria and grew up in the capital of Lagos. Her music is thus linked to her time in Western Africa. Asa grew up under the influence of her father's record collection, which included legendary artists such as Marvin Gaye, Fela Kuti, Bob Marley, and Aretha Franklin.
At the age of twelve years, her mother gave her the opportunity to attend one of the best music schools in the country. Aṣa not only developed her voice and her technique, over time she also discovered more about the musicians who fascinated her. When she came home, she discovered Erykah Badu, D'Angelo, Raphael Saadiq, Lauryn Hill, Femi Kuti, and Angélique Kidjo, in whose footprints she dreamed of following.
At the age of 18 she secretly signed up for the Peter King’s School of Music and learnt to play the guitar in six months. In 2004 Aṣa met her manager and friend, Janet, who introduced her to Cobhams Emmanuel Asuquo, who in turn became her musical partner and producer. He enabled Aṣa, the free spirit, to find her bearings. She wrote songs in both English and Yoruba, with the music falling somewhere between pop and soul, inspired by her musical heritage. Particular care was paid to the melodies reflecting the feeling she puts into it.
Her texts talk about her country, the things in life, the things in her life, all delivered with feigned naïveté and real irony. She states "I like writing or thinking about my texts on the bus, or the molué, as we call it. 49 seats, 99 passengers standing up, as Fela described it. Everyone’s squashed up together and mini-dramas break out all the time. And, at the end of the day, we still manage to laugh, that’s where our strength lies..."
It was at this stage of her life that Aṣa finally returned to Paris. This was her chance to test out her talent on the French musical scene, playing with artists such as the Nubians, Manu Dibango, Doctor L and Tony Allen. In the meantime, back in Nigeria, her first single, Eyé Adaba, then Jailer, were beginning to get airtime. MTV chose her as the ambassador for South Africa. Her popularity became big, that when she came back to Nigeria she opened for Akon, John Legend, Beyoncé and Snoop Dogg amongst others.
Aṣa soon signed to the 'Naïve label'. Partnered by Cobhams, and with the new involvement of Christophe Dupouy, she produced a magnificent debut album, ASA a 12 track album with chartstopping tracks. R&b rubs up against pop, with reggae also making an appearance on 'Fire On The Mountain', the first track released from the album, an impertinent and barely-disguised metaphor for an ignorant and indifferent world. "Jailer", another highlight of the album, reinterprets the old adage “you reap what you sow”. This emblematic song with its irresistible refrain opens the album by denouncing modern slavery in all its forms.
Maybe
Aṣa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Users and their useless ways
There's people dying everywhere
Can't someone tell me who's to blame?
There never used to be
This much attention to security
Until the terror and catastrophe
Maybe the sun will rise
Maybe the stars will shine
No one is listening
To the truth or is it just me
I guess I must begin from now
To make that change I always speak about
I am waiting for one day to succeed
To break down all the boundaries and be free
From those who take from me and mislead me
For they're greedy and they're empty oh
Maybe the sun will rise
Maybe the stars will shine
My feet, my strength
I'm gonna be myself
And nobody can stop me
I'll finally be, who I'll be
In Asa's song Maybe, she explores the idea of the hardships of life and the hope for a better future. The opening lines of the song showcase her frustration with the world and its inhabitants. She acknowledges that the world is full of pain, and people's selfish ways only add to the chaos. The song seeks to question the reason behind people's actions and the blame for the problems of the world. Asa understands that solutions are not easy, and in the lines "Can't someone tell me who's to blame?" she is reaching out for help and answers.
Asa draws attention to the current state of the world and how it has changed. She refers to how people never used to pay so much attention to security until disasters started occurring more frequently. She talks about the impact of terrorism, and war, and how it has led to an increase in guns and war machines. The hopelessness of the situation is portrayed through these lines.
The chorus of the song brings a ray of hope to the conversation. The simple lines, "Maybe the sun will rise, Maybe the stars will shine" emphasize that despite the pain experienced in the world, hope still shines through. It's a comforting reminder that, no matter how difficult our circumstances may be, there is always a possibility for improvement.
The song's final lines shift from a focus on the world's problems to the artist's personal strength and determination to make changes. Asa sings about the power to be oneself, and no one can stop them. She wants to break down all boundaries and be free from those who take from her and mislead her, showing a desire to progress past the current state of the world's issues.
Overall, Maybe is an introspective song that reflects on the state of the world and the hope for a better future. Asa uses her lyrics to emphasize the need for change in both the world and personal circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
This world is full of pain
The world is plagued with suffering and misery
Users and their useless ways
Human beings are often unproductive and wasteful in their actions
There's people dying everywhere
Death is rampant and ubiquitous
Can't someone tell me who's to blame?
Asking for someone to take responsibility for the chaos and destruction
There never used to be
Things were not always this way
This much attention to security
The levels of surveillance and protection are unprecedented
Until the terror and catastrophe
The heightened security measures came as a result of destructive events
And now there's guns and war machines
Weapons and military hardware are omnipresent
No one is listening
People are not paying attention to important issues
To the truth or is it just me
Wondering if the lack of attention to truth is a personal perception or a societal issue
I guess I must begin from now
Recognizing the need for personal action towards change
To make that change I always speak about
Taking action towards the change which has been frequently vocalized
I am waiting for one day to succeed
Looking forward to the day when success is finally achieved
To break down all the boundaries and be free
Breaking down limitations and experiencing freedom
From those who take from me and mislead me
Being freed from those who exploit and deceive
For they're greedy and they're empty oh
Describing those who exploit and deceive as selfish and lacking in substance
My feet, my strength
One's own abilities and qualities
I'm gonna be myself
Being true to oneself
And nobody can stop me
No one can prevent one from being oneself
I'll finally be, who I'll be
Reaching a state of being true to oneself
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@akoredeomotayo2269
Came to my mind as I was in the office today so it’s been on repeat again in 2023… thanks ASA for this classic ❤
@LunaArthemis
Uh , the quality of this sound is amazing! In so many levels... Love it!
@obinnaezeh6178
Reminds me of my favorite dream 925 fm
@abdul-latifmohammed2166
My favorite artist after Fella
@AjTycoon
This is an underrated opinion, but this is my favourite album.
@tomite2001
I like all her songs....no exception
@brightglow2340
I LOVE THIS I WISH I COULD GIVE THIS 100000000000000000 LIKES!!!!!!!!!!!! BUT I CAN ONLY GIVE ONE😢😭
@hopewhiteedward9532
she is my favourite I don't just love her music loving every tin she gat baby asa stay god unguard 1 love💞💝💟💖💕💜💓💛💚💗
@kijajimvungi3904
This is the best song I know
@afoketerry7882
Beautiful