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.
Peace
Aṣa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yekpa for the ones not yet born
Oh oh oh for the people who are here
Oh oh oh for the people
I cry when I see that I am born
I live when I see what I am to do
All you sitting and looking at me
Take one step at a time
Cos if you jump, you’ll never believe
The thorns of life
Them are whining and
Waiting for you and me
They make a brother , I want to run away
Run away, run away,
Run away,
We re ja si gbo
Asa’s song “Peace” speaks about the different stages of life and the need for peace. She acknowledges the existence of peace for the people who have left the earth and for the ones who are yet to be born, and then emphasizes the need for peace for the people who are living. Asa stresses that life can be challenging, and it is essential to take one step at a time and not try to rush things. She points out that one will never believe jumping into things as it can be overwhelming.
In the following lines, Asa describes the difficulties of life as thorns that are waiting for people. These thorns make people want to run away from their problems, but she advises that you need to face these challenges head-on. To reiterate her message of peace, she then repeats the word "run away" multiple times, as if to emphasize the need to make a conscious decision to stand one's ground rather than run away from life’s difficulties.
In conclusion, Asa's song "Peace" is a reflection of the different stages of human life and highlights the importance of peace, especially in times of adversity. It is a call to embrace the challenges of life and face them head-on.
Line by Line Meaning
Peace for the people who are gone
A wish for peace for those who have passed away
Yekpa for the ones not yet born
A prayer for the protection of unborn children
Oh oh oh for the people who are here
A call to celebrate and acknowledge those currently present
Oh oh oh for the people
A repetition of the previous line, emphasizing the importance of those present
I cry when I see that I am born
A contemplation of the difficult realities of life
I live when I see what I am to do
Finding purpose and meaning in life's challenges
'Cuz life is all about
An introduction to the theme of the song
All you sitting and looking at me
A call to action for listeners to pay attention and take responsibility
Take one step at a time
A reminder to approach life's challenges with patience and care
Cos if you jump, you’ll never believe
Warning against impulsive action and the importance of considering consequences
The thorns of life
A metaphor for the difficulties and obstacles in life
Them are whining and
Describing the challenging nature of these obstacles
Waiting for you and me
Acknowledging that everyone faces these obstacles
They make a brother , I want to run away
Expressing the desire to escape from the difficulties of life
Run away, run away,
Repeating the desire to escape
Run away,
Reinforcing the previous line and expressing a feeling of helplessness
We re ja si gbo
A Yoruba phrase that translates to 'Let's listen and obey'
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: BUKOLA ELEMIDE, COBHAMS EMMANUEL ASUQUO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mariaelvinaluishenrique2900
Peace for the people who are gone
Yekpa for the ones not yet born
Oh oh oh for the people who are here
Oh oh oh for the people
I cry when I see that I am born
I live when I see what I am to do
'Cuz life is all about
All you sitting and looking at me
Take one step at a time
Cos if you jump, you’ll never believe
The thorns of life
Them are whining and
Waiting for you and me
They make a brother , I want to run away
Run away, run away,
Run away,
We re ja si gbo
@jahservantgad9042
From Jamaica and I love this song too. Jah Bless!
@mariaelvinaluishenrique2900
Peace for the people who are gone
Yekpa for the ones not yet born
Oh oh oh for the people who are here
Oh oh oh for the people
I cry when I see that I am born
I live when I see what I am to do
'Cuz life is all about
All you sitting and looking at me
Take one step at a time
Cos if you jump, you’ll never believe
The thorns of life
Them are whining and
Waiting for you and me
They make a brother , I want to run away
Run away, run away,
Run away,
We re ja si gbo
@gosiamelegodi8767
Peace from South Africa
@gouveialaura7838
Mozambique..I love this song
@bismarkattakora
Asa's sense of writing songs is very deep like that of Bob Marley
2021
@ogeo.8966
Now that you said it, they do give off a similar vibe
@danielgoddey8866
Peace for the people who are gone.❤🤍
@hopemasha2944
Yekpa! For the ones ones not yet born..
@cristianrossi7687
From Italy, she's a great artist, i love!
@eladgeorge3401
Peace for the people