To tell the story of Bukola “Asa” Elemide to one who hasn’t heard of her Herculean legend, would be to somewhat spell out the decade long history of modern Nigerian music itself. Of how she came to the industry in the era when up-and-comers, could either make radio hits off gimmicks like the D’Banj, strive to achieve the impossible by accruing plaques and international recognition like 2face, or at best, level at introspection like 9ice, granted that you make first language compromises that may (or may not) chunk out what could have been increased reach to a universal audience.

At the release of Asa’s 2007 self-titled debut, it had become apparent that popular Nigerian music could be a lot more than just preppy pop compositions designed for sweaty dance-floors. Asa offered the laser-focus D’banj did not have, with the emotional range 2face’s often fails to deliver as promised, combined with a lingual balance that fell 9ice short of being a more rounded artist. The inherent humanity in her composition is perhaps what grounds her music the most, with Asa coasting on some of the most intriguing yet sonically bodacious songwriting, over the years. For her birthday today, we have compiled 14-track list of the most defining Asa songs, in celebration of an art of standing-out solidified into a classic discography.

“Jailer”

“Jailer” is perhaps the truest testament to Asa’s many conflicts about the meaning of life. On the track, she muses that both the captured and the jailer are doomed to a dynamic that frees neither of them. What goes around, comes back around, and by design, we’re all trapped in a universe where our roles and limitations have been predetermined. It’s a rare philosophical highlight for a song that Asa sustains on mid-tempo bop without sounding corny or like a Quora comment

“Dreamer Girl”

“Dreamer Girl” probably won’t rank on a lot of fan picks for Asa faves, but there is something to think about on this mid-album track off her Beautiful Imperfection sophomore. It’s notable that Asa’s sophomore project was a consolidation of self, a perfect sequel to the explorer she was on her debut where she threaded the fine line between spirituality and ‘wokeness’. “Dreamer Girl” is the song by an artist whose dreams are already coming true to her own disbelief, hence no better way to tell this story except through the child-like eyes of a presumably younger Asa, who her older self is using as a poster for the stuff of dreams.

“360 Degrees”

We have all heard different iterations of the phrase, “it’s in you”, heck, a popular milk brand in Nigeria has a long-running slogan with those exact words. But Asa’s “360 Degrees” puts it all in perspective; the days of our lives are numbered, what’s the use of moving in circles in a bid to find answers when you could just live your best life?

“Awe”

This humorous cut from Asa’s first album tells the story of a certain Waheedi, who has not been on his best behaviour in the relationships department. “Awe” was the first indicator of Asa’s fascination with the drama of the everyday African’s life, a narrative device she would later employ on “Bamidele”, a bonus track off Beautiful Imperfection.

“Fire on The Mountain”
‘One day the river will over, and there will be nowhere for us to go’, Asa croons, on a haunting bridge that forebodes a tipping point where trauma and devastation would ripped through the land, leaving us with no abode. Asa’s humanity comes to play here again as she tells two stories on “Fire on The Maintain”, one scaled to child molestation and abuse at the familial level, and then the other reflected on the larger society and human propensity for endless conflict.

“Bimpe”

Asa is rarely petty and if she must be, it will not be without purpose. On “Bimpe”, Asa paints the image of an adversary that personifies the kind of enmity culminated by envy found between younger Yoruba women. It’s cheeky song from top to bottom, that adds a defiant twist to the central theme of Asa’s self-reliant sophomore album.

“Be My Man”

Perhaps Asa’s pop-iest pop song ever, “Be My Man” is a piano-led folk song that expands and contracts through shifts in Asa’s hooks and fast-paced verses about devotion and eternal love. If a classic love song from the 2010s is to survive the test of time, “Be My Man”will surely be a passable lone contender.

“Bibanke”

Soft rock guitars and snares, bring this ode to lost love to life. Asa sings from that frustrated place everyone who has ever struggled to hold on to dying love eventually gets to. Here she is somber about losing love, but she’s also giving up on what used to be, because holding on should not be as painful as letting go.

“Iba”

This bonus track off Beautiful Imperfection, features Asa singing entirely in Yoruba. “Iba” is presented as a monologue with her own destiny, to communicate some of her deepest thoughts and concerns to the almighty above. Asa converses as one would talk to a friend with gratefulness and optimism. “Iba” carries Asa’s signature pseudo-spiritual existential gaze at the smallness of all things.

“Bed Of Stone”

One of Asa’s lines describes the girl in the Bed of Stone story as ‘Working jobs others don’t like/Sometimes she wonders if they know that she’s there’, the image she paints is forlorn and heartbreaking. Asa tells a gripping story of a lonely girl trying to make it in the world, with a conclusion that fails to give respite because according to Asa: “Nobody knows there’s no right way/ Nobody knows there’s no wrong way.”

“Satan Be Gone”
Asa channels her inner Sia for this explosive guitar-driven anthem of triumph over adversity. It’s another iteration of petty Asa, but she’s not so much lingering on the negatives as she is charging forward against all odds.

“Eyo”

This tribute to Lagos’ infamous white masquerade of the same name is more than nod to King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall’s 90s jingle for the Eyo Festival. Instead Asa enlarges uses the cultural symbol, as a unifying tool to bring together all the nostalgia and warmth we all attune to home.