Ameyaw Meets
Asari Music highlights new single ‘Like Dat’, balancing college with music and more
Week-in week-out I get to interview one of the many faces in showbiz and this week on Ameyaw Meets, Asari Music is the one. She’s a young, upcoming and very talented Ghanaian-American singer – who in case you haven’t heard, is out with the hottest song you might hear all week.
But before I introduce you to her indomitable personality, let me tell you about her vulnerable debut ‘Like Dat’. ‘Like Dat’ is a beautiful song strong in expressing the singer’s feelings of heartbreak. She’s tired of all the lies and deceit, letting loose a piercing falsetto bound to grab your attention in a heartbeat.
Asari Music is very much new to the industry and still in college. She’s very much committed to fulfilling her educational ambitions while experimenting with a diverse pool of genres that include; Afrobeat, Afro-Pop, R&B, Pop, Alternative, and even Gospel. Nothing speaks more of the singer than her strong sense of identity and love for African culture. I can go on and on about how much of an exciting person she is but since she’s here let’s dive right into our little interaction.
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Don’t miss out on Asari Music’s official debut single ’Like Dat’ – out now on all digital streaming platforms worldwide here: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/asarimusic/like-dat
Enjoy our session below.
Q: Hey Asari. Welcome. How about a formal introduction?
A: Thank you for having me for this interview. Where do I even start? Well, my name is Mary Yeboah but my stage name is Asari, which is my family surname. I was born in Techiman, Ghana, where I moved from at age ten to Atlanta, GA in the states. Growing up, music was always a part of me whether it was seeing my mom or grandmother sing. To me, music is like a friend, a food I love, a bed I sleep on. I could keep going. Today, I sing for my church, my school choir and many other places.
Q: ‘Like Dat’ – your first official song is out now streaming. Tell us how it all came together.
A: Well, ‘Like Dat’ is my first ever single. I came up with the song the first time I heard the beat. After my lectures, I will usually go to the studio and start recording. The process was difficult but I am happy it all came together. The song is about heartbreak and lies. It mixes Twi and English, aiming to create a unique sound that speaks to those that listen.
Q: College and music, now that’s one tough pair. How do you plan on balancing the two?
A: I think for me, having the passion for music has been my biggest drive. When you are passionate about something, you make a way for it to happen. Prior to my first ever time attending a studio, I was a part of my high school and even sang for church. My first ever time at the studio was at age seventeen, which was when I snuck out to my first ever studio network gathering. It was also where I met the producer that eventually produced ‘Like Dat’. From there on, I have been able to find ways to balance the two. I will be at school one day and the next day when I don’t have as much assignments, I will go to the studio. When I was in high school, my friends usually covered up for me, saying that I was at their house, as I attended studio events. From that early experience, I can say for the last three years, I have been able to balance school and music even at the University level.
Q: What are your thoughts on the Ghanaian music industry as an indie artist and a young woman?
A: When you are first starting, it is very difficult. For me, entering Ghana music scene is still a difficult task that I am taking small steps each day to achieve. I will say from the outside, it looks very men centric. It can also feel at times that everyone has a support system or a team, giving this idea of group gatekeepers and no centralization of co-collaboration. I often felt overwhelm approaching people because even when they say they want to work with new artists, it is always males they are mostly working with. And perhaps if I am wrong, search through most Ghanaian music execs Instagram to see the group of people they manage the most: males. This is also why I keep moving forward. I know I can one day pave the path for other young girls trying to enter the industry. We need more Ghanaian women musicians. Shout out to Gyakie, Wendy Shay, Efia Odo, MzVee, Efya, and all the Ghanaian women in the game right now.
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Additionally, when I will post covers online, I will always question how else I could move forward with music especially when there isn’t much support from anyone. So, when I was able to come to Ghana last semester with my school, I made sure to connect with new artists. Many of the artists I spoke with expressed the same things I felt and they made me feel that I’m not alone. I heard stories of girls quitting music because of male producers and managers trying to make them do sexual things with them, small artists being charge huge sums for promotion, etc. A lot of the small artist I met expressed how those with power in the industry makes it hard for small artists when they don’t level the playing field for them: begging Ghana DJs to play their songs, promotion centers not giving small artists chances unless they come with huge amount of money etc.
Q: Which Ghanaian artists do you idolize and mostly have on play?
A: Gyakie. Gyakie. Gyakie! I love Gyakie. She is so talented. I also feel like I can relate with her music journey a lot. She was also in school navigating music just like I am right now and came to be the phenomenal Gyakie. I will say I have been listening to Gyakie a lot more. I also listen to many other Ghanaian artists but Gyakie is at the top of the list.
Q: If you could collaborate with an upcoming Ghanaian artist who will it be?
A: I follow a lot of small artists that I will love to work with. Moliy, Ria Boss, Bleu Music, Cina Soul and others are all on my list! I also have other artists but I don’t think they are upcoming.
Q: What does Ghanaian culture mean to you having spent most of your adulthood in the US?
A: Being a Ghanaian is like melting pot of soup that is filled with different ingredients. There is not one exact ingredient that solidify the palatable taste of the soup by itself. All of the ingredients co-exist to make the soup what it is. And that is exactly what being a Ghanaian means to me. It is a complex term filled with many differences. My way of being Ghanaian may never be the same to another Ghanaian and vice versa. Regardless, my Akan Ghanaian heritage and ancestry is something that no one can ever take away from me. I’m forever glued to being a Ghanaian and I’m forever proud. Although I have been in the states for ten years, I am always intact with Ghana. I still talk to my classmates, cousins and family members back home. My parents are both Ghanaian and speak Twi with me everyday. I also have five nieces, who are all under 10, born in the US. So, to me, it is important that I keep in touch with my Ghanaian cultures so that I can instill it in my nieces. At school, I also try my best to spread issues happening across the continent, Ghana included. During my first year in the University, my friend and I did an event where we were able to raise funds to help 800 families across eight isolated villages across Ghana and Nigeria.
Q: What can my readers expect from you?
A: Readers should definitely expect to hear me more in the future. They should expect more music and collaboration from me. We never stop over here! And I want to make sure I spread that energy and motivation to whoever comes into my space.
Q: Lastly. What are you plans with music this year?”
A: I am planning to release another music so be on the lookout. I have so many songs written and will be hitting the studio this whole year to record and finish them. My goal is complete half of my album by the end of this year. While I’m working on my album, expect to see single releases and song covers on my Instagram page. I am also planning to perform at various places. But within a year time, I certain I would have gained more audience, open up shows for big artist and even release better and better songs! So please, follow my social media (@asarimusicofficial) for updates on my music journey. So much coming up!