Asa’s three-year stint with Islam still influences her music

Nigerian pop queen, Bukola Elemide, known better by her stage name, Asa, has revealed how her Muslim background and the musical recitation of Islamic prayers inspired her music.

Asa, who spoke extensively about her childhood on My African Podcast, said growing up in Festac as a Muslim influenced her music and helped in writing her hit track, Awe.

The 31-year-old artiste revealed that she was a Muslim for some years and the recitation of Muslim prayers early in the morning fascinated her.

“I come from a Muslim and Christian background, and I actually had a stint with Islam. I was a Muslim for about two years or three,” she said.

“It was after high school I lived with my grandparents. My grandparents were Muslims from Lagos Island; and yes, it did influence the way I see things and the way I write.

“It influenced the song Awé. You see, just near where I used to live, there was a mosque and we had the Muezzim who calls out prayers.

“He would (call) very early morning by 5 O’clock, ‘Allaaaaah’. That was amazing. It just inspired Awe. So yeah, Islam, Christianity, is always going to be part of my history.”

Asa also revealed that she experiences ‘musical block’, and often times find it difficult to write or create music the way she would love to, yet she still has to deliver 200 percent.

“Nobody cares if you have a cold; nobody cares if you just had your heart broken. You have to go and give 200 percent.

“After the show and the tour, I don’t even want to watch the recording or listen to music; it’s like recovering,” she added.

The ace vocalist went on to say Lagos remains home for her, because “Lagos would humble you and give you stories”.

The multi-award-winning queen took fans by surprise as she added that she “would like to act” and study something else other than Music.

Expressing her love for writers and books, she listed a couple of authors who fascinate her.

“Let’s start with Chimamanda. I like Chinua Achebe, Zora Neale Hurston; she wrote ‘The Eyes Were Watching God’. I like a lot of James Bond, Eco Umberto; I love Chimamanda, she’s a wonderful woman.”

To end all the discussions and rumours, Asa said she wants to get married but she has to meet the right person.

Before walking her way to the lime light, the amazing songster lost the 2002 edition of Star quest to KC Presh, a competition that had the Psquare competing also.