Nigerian-French singer Aṣa is known for her soulful voice and thoughtful lyrics. She recently spoke with GQ South Africa about the power of multilingual music. In the interview, Aṣa explained that she chooses to create music in different languages because it allows her to:
Connect on a Deeper Level: By singing in various languages, Aṣa can tailor her message to resonate more deeply with specific audiences around the world.
Spread the Message: Using multiple languages allows Asa to share her music and ideas with a wider, more global audience.
“There are some songs that I cannot sing in English as they wouldn’t convey the message I want. Because of the tonal beauty and musicality of singing in Yoruba, it feels very personal, yet it also resonates with everyone. However, in terms of breaking through and reaching a wider audience, English is the global language,” Aṣa tells GQ South Africa.
Asa’s background is a beautiful blend of cultures.
She grew up in Nigeria’s Oyo State before moving to France at a young age. This unique upbringing has definitely influenced her music in two key ways:
Rooted in Africa: Asa credits her Nigerian heritage with keeping her connected to her African roots. This influence is likely reflected in the rhythms, melodies, and even the storytelling in her music.
Global Connection: Living in France exposed Asa to different cultures and languages. This, she says, has helped her connect with a wider, global audience. Her music might have elements that resonate with listeners from all over the world.
Asa’s career achievements speak for themselves. Her 2008 self-titled debut album won the prestigious Headies Award for Album of the Year. Asa doesn’t limit herself by genre; she embraces her heritage while taking a global approach to creating music that connects with people everywhere.
“I always allow for that space when I’m making music. I want to create music with everyone in mind, including those who may not know or understand my language or culture. But I always strive to include them. I’m from Nigeria; I want to act locally but think globally in my approach to music.”
Asa’s music is a captivating blend of traditional and modern styles.
Asa’s music is heavily influenced by rich Yoruba folk traditions. This influence can be heard in the storytelling elements, melodies, and possibly even the instrumentation of her music.
This talented artist isn’t afraid to experiment! She skillfully infuses these traditional elements with Jazz and Funk, creating a unique and soulful sound.
Asa’s sound keeps growing. Her 2022 album “V” showcased her exploration of Pop and Afrobeats. The album also featured some exciting collaborations with big names in African music, including Wizkid, the Nigerian highlife group Cavemen, and the Ghanaian superstar Amaarae.
Nigerian music stars Ruger and Tiwa Savage have joined forces on the new single “Toma Toma,” released on November 15, 2024.
The track blends Ruger’s signature melodic style with a percussion-heavy Afrobeats instrumental produced by Kukbeatz.
Tiwa Savage’s captivating vocals complement Ruger’s performance, creating an effortless collaboration between two of Nigeria’s top talents.
This release comes on the heels of Ruger’s successful joint EP “POE” with BNXN, which included a lead single amassing 27 million streams and reaching #1 on Spotify and Apple Music in Nigeria.
Ruger has maintained an incendiary trajectory in 2024, further cementing his status as one of the most exciting Afrobeats artists.
Earlier this year, he dropped the double A-side “Luv Again / Make Way” and remixed the hit “Cry Baby” by Clean Bandit, Anne-Marie, and David Guetta.
The rising singer recently wrapped up an extensive tour across Europe, including festival appearances at DLT Malta and Wireless Festival in London.
He also completed an 8-date Canadian tour, playing shows in Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto. These live performances follow a packed summer schedule that saw Ruger captivate audiences in the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.
Since bursting onto the scene just three years ago, Ruger has distinguished himself with his dynamic blend of Afrobeats and dancehall.
Indeed, the “Toma Toma” collaboration with Tiwa Savage represents the next chapter in his rapidly rising career.
Wizkid showcases his musical versatility on “Kese (Dance),” masterfully blending English, Pidgin, and Yoruba languages over energetic Afrobeats production.
Furthermore, the track demonstrates his continued partnership with renowned producer P2J, who infuses the song with the signature pulsating drums and vibrant shakers that characterize Nigerian pop music.
Moreover, “Kese (Dance)” is a strategic follow-up to his previous release, “Piece of My Heart,” which features the smooth vocals of Brent Faiyaz.
This thoughtful sequencing builds anticipation for his upcoming album “Morayo,” while maintaining momentum in the music industry. “Morayo” is set for release on November 22, 2024.
Throughout the track, Wizkid maintains his distinctive laid-back vocal delivery and luxurious melodic style.
Additionally, he confidently reasserts his position as an influential hitmaker who has shaped Afrobeats dance culture for over a decade. His artistic choices in “Kese (Dance)” reflect both his musical roots and evolution as an artist.
Building on the remarkable success of “Piece of My Heart,” which shattered streaming records on Spotify Nigeria, “Kese (Dance)” carries similar expectations.
Notably, his previous single not only dominated YouTube Nigeria’s opening day statistics but also achieved an impressive debut at the top position on the TurnTable Top 100 chart.
These accomplishments underscore Wizkid’s enduring impact on the African music landscape.
In essence, “Kese (Dance)” represents another milestone in Wizkid’s illustrious career, combining his signature style with contemporary Afrobeats elements.
Through this release, he continues to bridge cultural and linguistic boundaries while maintaining his position at the forefront of African popular music.
Bruno Mars now commands 130 million monthly Spotify listeners, shattering the platform’s previous record.
The Grammy winner achieved this milestone following the release of his recent collaborations: ‘Die With A Smile‘ featuring Lady Gaga and his appearance on Rose’s track ‘APT’.
These new singles mark Mars’ first musical releases since his collaboration with Anderson Paak on their Grammy Album of the Year-winning project ‘An Evening With The Silk Sonic’ in 2021.
The stellar performance of these tracks has propelled him past The Weeknd’s previous record of 120 million monthly listeners.
The Weeknd had previously made history as the first artist to attract 100 million monthly listeners on Spotify. The Canadian superstar then broke his own record by reaching an impressive 120 million listeners.
As of November 13, 2024, Bruno Mars leads the Top 20 highest Spotify monthly listeners, demonstrating his enduring appeal and growing global fanbase.
His achievement reflects both the success of his recent releases and his consistent ability to connect with audiences worldwide.
The record-breaking numbers showcase the expanding reach of streaming platforms and Mars’ commanding presence in the digital music landscape.
Top 20 highest Spotify monthly listeners as of November 13, 2024.
Bruno Mars – 130,612,563
The Weeknd – 120,522,043
Lady Gaga – 113,953,989
Billie Eilish – 107,253,116
Coldplay – 90,585,988
TaylorSwift – 91,295,938
Rihanna – 86,078,987
Ariana Grande – 83,774,575
Justin Bieber – 82,045,938
Eminem – 76,795,897
Sabrina Carpenter – 79,022,469
EdSheeran –77,551,483
DavidGuetta – 75,488,878
Drake – 75,105,070
Post Malone – 73,161,311
Travis Scott – 71,637,037
Kanye West – 66,703,503
Shakira – 65,974,570
SZA – 65,804,982
Dua Lipa – 64,136,480
Bruno Mars, a global pop icon, has achieved a remarkable feat, solidifying his position as one of the most influential artists of the 21st century.
His music has resonated with millions worldwide, leading to record-breaking sales figures that cement his status as a commercial powerhouse.
With over 36 billion streams on Spotify, Bruno Mars boasts an impressive 14 songs that have surpassed the one-billion-stream milestone.
This remarkable achievement places him in close proximity to the record held by Canadian superstar Drake, who has 16 songs with over a billion streams.
