With a myriad of wide-ranging musical and creative influences, the internationally celebrated, Nigerian music star Asa, has always forged her own path with her trailblazing sounds and songwriting. Today she returns with the release of her dreamy, brand-new single ‘Mayana’ and its breath-taking visuals.
Produced by the exciting Nigerian producer Priime and taking cues from Pop, Afrobeat, R&B and Soul sounds, ‘Mayana’ is a mesmerizing marriage of rhythmic, hip-shaking percussion and Asa’s sultry, laid-back vocals that will no doubt ensure that this song is on repeat on airwaves and speakers across the globe. Shot in Lagos, the song’s cinematic clip sees Asa reconnecting with the talented Nigerian director and photographer Meji Alabi to create something that was simply about “showing off young, vibrant, colorful, fashionable Black people. Showing who we are, and what we are about”.
Speaking on the new single ‘Mayana’, Asa shares: “Usually, when I write a song, I would make melodies with bits of words here and there. ‘Mayana’ stuck. I didn’t know what it meant. The usual thing I’d do is look for another word. I knew I wanted it to mean something good to this person I am singing to, like his forever. So, I Googled the word and voila! It means ‘Healer, tomorrow’.”
Stream Asa’s ‘Mayana’ here: