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.
So Beautiful
Aṣa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wonderful is what you are to me
It’s you I see in my dreams
Everyday and I pray for you
Queen of my life you are so beautiful mama
You’re beautiful
Emi n wa mama kan
Mama mi o roju ri
That’s why am loving you
Nitori omo o jiya
Ni le oko
Mama mi o roju ri
That’s why am loving you
La la la la la la la
Oh oh you are so beautiful
Oh oh you are beautiful
Oya, la la la la la la la
Oh oh you are so beautiful
Oh oh you are beautiful
Ebami kira fun mama mi
Orisha bi iya o
Ko o si laiye
Ebami kira fun mama mi
Orisha bi iya o
Ko o si laiye
La la la la la la la
Oh oh you are so beautiful
La la la la la la la
Oh oh you are so beautiful
Woman there is No one like you oh oh
Woman there is No one like you oh oh
Nitori omo
O jiya ni le oko
Mama mi ko ro oju ri
That is why am loving you
Nitori omo
O jiya ni le oko
Mama mi ko ro oju ri
And that is why am loving you
La la la la la la la o o
You are beautiful
Ebami kira fun mama mi
Orisha bi iya o ko si laiye
Ebami kira fun mama mi
Orisha bi iya o ko si laiye
Oya la la la la la la la
That's why tou are beautiful
Oya la la la la la la la
Aiye o roju ri
And that's why I'm loving you
Aiye o roju ri
And that's why I'm loving you
The song "So Beautiful" by Asa is a heartfelt and soulful tribute to the love and adoration that the singer has for a woman in her life, most likely her mother. The lyrics describe the woman as beautiful and wonderful, someone who she sees in her dreams every day and for whom she prays. The term "mama" is used throughout the song, suggesting a strong maternal bond between them.
The lyrics also describe the singer's gratitude and admiration for the woman, referring to her as the queen of her life. The use of the term "orisha bi iya o" in Yoruba, which means "goddess like a mother," further illustrates the singer's reverence for the woman in her life. The song's repeated refrain of "you are so beautiful" serves as a reminder of the woman's worth and importance in the singer's life.
Overall, "So Beautiful" is a touching and emotional tribute to the love and bond between a mother and daughter. Asa's soulful voice and the song's simple instrumentation only add to its emotional impact.
Line by Line Meaning
Beautiful is your name
You are so lovely and delightful that your very name reflects this fact
Wonderful is what you are to me
I am filled with wonder and amazement at the incredible person you are to me
It’s you I see in my dreams
You are constantly on my mind, and even when I am asleep, you still occupy my thoughts
Everyday and I pray for you
Each day I pray for your well-being and happiness
Queen of my life you are so beautiful mama
You are the most important person in my life and your beauty, both inside and out, is truly stunning
You’re beautiful
Your beauty is impossible to deny or ignore
Emi n wa mama kan
I have only one mother
Ta lori ye ye yen
She is on top of everything in my life
Mama mi o roju ri
My mother never leaves my sight
That’s why am loving you
This is why I love you so much
Nitori omo o jiya
Because I am a child who is still learning
Ni le oko
In the land of the living
La la la la la la la
A joyful and carefree expression of happiness
Oh oh you are so beautiful
You are incredibly lovely and delightful
Oya, la la la la la la la
Come on, let's keep singing this happy tune!
Ebami kira fun mama mi
I praise and adore my mother
Orisha bi iya o
My mother is like a goddess
Ko o si laiye
There is no one in the world like her
Woman there is No one like you oh oh
As a woman, you are unique and incomparable
Nitori omo
Because I am a child who is still learning
O jiya ni le oko
I am still growing and maturing
Mama mi ko ro oju ri
My mother is never out of my sight
And that is why am loving you
This is why I love you so very much
La la la la la la la o o
A carefree expression of happiness and contentment
Ebami kira fun mama mi
I praise and adore my mother
Orisha bi iya o ko si laiye
My mother is like a goddess; there is no one like her
Aiye o roju ri
The world never leaves my sight
And that's why I'm loving you
And that is why I love you so very much
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHRISTOPHER ANDREW CARRABBA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lovefilledhearts9665
Beautiful is your name
Wonderful is what you are to me
It's you I see in my dreams
Everyday and I pray for you
Queen of my life
You're so beautiful mama.
You're beautiful
Emi n wa mama kan
Ta lori yeye yen
Mama mi o roju ri
And that's why I'm lovng you
Nitori omo o jiya
Ni le oko
Mama mi ko roju ri
And that's why am loving you
La la la la
la la la o o
You are beautiful
You are beautiful
Ebami kira fun mama mi
Orisha bi iya o
Ko si laiye
Woman there is
No one like you
Nitori omo o jiya
Ni le oko
Mama mi ko ro oju ri
And that is why am loving you
La la la la
la la la o o
You are beautiful
You are beautiful
Ebami kira fun mama mi
Orisha bi iya o
Ko si laiye
@Hernameis994
My mom is still here and I'm thankful. sorry to everyone whose mothers are gone. Thank you God for the gift of life.. daalụ Chukwunna ❤
@gbemiphillips5042
I was drunk when I first heard this and I’ve been looking for it ever since !! So happy I’ve found it again
@Thatcher8888
This song needs a Grammy
@lutherinho
five years ago, I made my mother listen this song a few days before she died.
Still love this song.
@bitrushabu145
Luther Tonfack may her soul Rest In Peace 🙏🏽
@DagbaniMovies
May Allah bless her soul
@sannibenmorad5136
Luther Tonfack i b😈😆😠😆😇
@apostlemccarthydaniel7317
Stay strong Sir
@Elegan_te
Deep ❣
@abdulafeezabdulraimi9789
I lost my mom last year November! It hurt me so much when I listen to this track 💔💔