Listen to Chicago Artist Aasha Marie Latest Project “WYWS” + Q&A

 

Meet Aasha Marie, a singer, rapper, and poet from Chicago who create Christian-inspired music with the intent of bringing spiritual transformation to various cultures and communities in need. Talented on all fronts, Aasha delivers hip-hop-inspired flows that showcase her lyrical talent skills. Aside from performing in locals spots and events in Chicago, Aasha Marie has performed at the MJ Charity Event where she opened for Wale, Silento, & Misho, the Woodlawn 5K Dash & Food Truck Festival, and So Far Sounds. In addition to that, she was nominated twice in 2016 & 2019 in the Kingdom Choice Awards for Female Rap Minister. Get to know Aasha and check out our exclusive Q&A down below.

Q: Who inspired you to make music?

Aasha Marie: My first inspiration was my Mom and Dad who were both singers. I grew up in a small storefront church where my musical gifts were cultivated. Singing came naturally as my family sang all the time as gospel singers in the church. My mom listened to diverse ranges of music and my Dad who was 25 years older than my mom taught me about old school singers like Sam Cooke, Bobby Blue Bland, and quartets, I grew up around a lot of great music.

Q: How would you describe the music that you typically create?

Aasha Marie: My music is Christian by message, gritty, soul-stirring and uplifting in sound, and very lyrical in nature. I like to call it good news music.

Q: What is your creative process like?

Aasha Marie: I first start with the music and play it over and over until I get a feel for the song and the mood of the song, I need the music to really move me first and foremost in order to start writing and I have to sit with music a while. Then, I usually start with a concept and then visualize a story in my head and then I insert the subject of it whether it be myself or someone else, and write what the song needs.

Q: Who would you most like to collaborate with?

Aasha Marie: It has been a dream of mine for a long time to work with the Clark Sisters, I’d love to work with Pharrell on the soundtrack for a film and work with Donald Glover as he has a super creative mind.

Q: What is one message you would give to your fans?

Aasha Marie: I’m not perfect, but I look to Jesus every day to perfect me. My music is the perfect combination of being flawed and human and experiencing all the emotions, struggles, shortcomings life has to offer but on the flip side I have a hope beyond this world that fuels me and I infuse that into my music to give to them. I want them to look for hope beyond this world in the God who made us all.

Q: What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?

Aasha Marie: I would be doing something in music whether I was an artist or not. Maybe doing poetry, writing plays, I would be in some creative arts field regardless.

Q: Where have you performed?

Aasha Marie: I have performed at plenty of So Far Sounds shows, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at the MJ Charity Event at the Genesis Center in Gary Indiana, at the Legacy Conference in my hometown of Chicago, and the Woodlawn 5k run/food festival in Chicago.

Q: Which famous musician(s) do you admire?

Aasha Marie: Stevie Wonder who I consider one of the best songwriters/musicians ever, his songs are incredible and he really touches the heart. Donald Glover for his all-around creativity doesn’t limit himself as he’s done television, film, music, and comedy. I also really admire Kirk Franklin as he’s the one name that’s synonymous with gospel music and the first artist people name/know of when you ask them if they know any gospel artists, it’s pretty amazing how impactful he is to the gospel industry, he changed the game.

Q: What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?

Aasha Marie: When I was in high school my senior year, I ditched school a couple of times. The one time I got caught I got sent to the principal office, which never ever happened. They sat me down and it felt like an interrogation, they were like “WHERE WERE YOU?” I was a pretty good kid in high school and stayed out of trouble and pretty shy but this one time was like my “bad girl” moment lol. I stumbled and couldn’t think of the words to respond and didn’t want to lie, so they let them off with a strong warning, I can’t remember if I served detention or not but they let me off and my parents never knew about it, probably until now lol.

Q: What is the best advice you’ve been given?

Aasha Marie: Even if you have to stand alone on what you believe, stand. God is always standing with you, you never walk alone.

Q: What’s next for you?

Aasha Marie: I’m writing my next rap album that I consider my opus as it tells my story of growing up in what’s considered one of the toughest neighborhoods on the south side of Chicago. It’s my coming of age stories and me describing the environment around me. It’s an ode to black life and an album of reflection. I’m also executive producing an album for gospel music collective with an amazing band and ensemble of singers and it blends an amalgamation of styles I cannot wait until people hear it! My biggest desire right now is to tour, if I’m ever called upon to do a tour, I’m so ready.

 

Listen to Aasha Marie’s latest project “WYWS” (While You Were Sleeping). Now available on all music platforms.