Oct 12, 2007

Female Artists on the Rise

Within the last few months, female artists have been on the rise in the Naija music industry, an industry pre-dominated by males. Performers such as Weird MC, Sasha, Bouqui, Ashionye have kept their own against their male counterparts and new artists are gathering the courage to enter the limelight. My favourite female artists right now are Asa and TY Bello.

Bukola Elemide A.K.A Asa is a multi-talented female musician and artist. Her name is the yoruba translation of "Hawk". Seeing her for the first time, one might be tempted to write her off as a quiet nerdy type and underestimate her abilites, but just like the Hawk, no one sees her coming. She recently did a song "Fire on the mountain", which is currently gaining lots of airplay in Nigeria, France and all over the world. With great vocal abilities which remind you of India Arie and Lauryn Hill, she passes across a message of awakening. The song is available below.


TY Bello is not someone whom many people can forget in a hurry. She was a member of the group "Kush" which comprised such talents as Dapo Torimiro, Lara Bajomo (now Lara George), Emem and herself. After nearly 2 years in the studio, she's now out with her first solo album titled "Green Land". With a strong Alto voice, she wove her lyrics and notes expertly. The title song "The land is green" immediately leapt out of the album and started getting massive airplay. She also recorded a video which caught on with viewers nationally and internationally. View it below.


If you're feeling these songs as much as I am, I'll implore you to go get those albums. Buy the original CDs so you can encourage these ladies. Both albums can be got from Nu Metro Media stores at Silverbird Galleria, V.I. or The Palms Shopping Mall, Lekki.

14 comments:

Omodudu said...

We want more videos from asa. Me likes.

Joy Akut said...

i think TY Bello is very talented. got her album last week and i'm sooo impressed.

Chika said...

I like Sasha and i think T.y Bello is cool too.

Mimi said...

TY Bello's album is off the hook!!!!!

so now ur updating eh?

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed Asa's video. Shows real class...very nice...True talk

Jennifer A. said...

yayyy for upcoming female artistes...FEmale power! (yikes, I sound like such a feminist).

Unknown said...

@All, thanks a lot for your comments.
@jaycee, long time!
@mimi, question or statement?

Keke's Space said...

Tayo, I definitely agree with you. Asa is really talented. I got TY Bello's album a few weeks ago and it's great. I'm very proud of Naija female musicians and I know there's still so much more to come :)

aloted said...

Nice nice! Had to put the link to Ty's Bello on my blog...
I lose Asa as well...she be original sumtin!!!

By d way how do I upload videos on my blog???

Nuggets of Gold said...

I knew Ty Bello as a contributor in Thisday Style. I was surprised to see her CD in a shop and promptly picked it up. It is great!! I got to know much later that she was a part of KUSH.

Meanwhile Kefee's Branama is also good and i recommend it.

I wonder what is happening to Olufunmi these days. She is a great Nigerian singer too

Anonymous said...

Am listening to "Asa" right now. Damn! She's Hot!!! Like Fire. She is abstract, near perfect, sweet, lovely, powerful voice there, right concept, words aint enuf...Go get her Album and get for your friends and family. They need to hear the "Hawk".

africa entertainment plus sports said...

TY and Asa are trying to reinvent the blues.Good luck to them, but I'll be more than thrilled the day Nigeria's first bonafide female hip-hop star emerges.I mean one that will be ranked up there with the likes of D'Banj,2Face,P Square...Just like way back when Onyeka and Xtie Essien took the battle frontally to the guys.

Anonymous said...

Asa is another good reason why i am proud to be a nigerian. Been endlessly listening to her music. SHE IS GOOD. She's not taken by the need to promote her music by being sexxy and sassy.She's just herself. O God I love her music.

Anonymous said...

i think ASA is simply awesome. She's so cool & so natural. She's made me a very proud nigerian!