ASEM-BRIDGING THE GAP WITH MATURITY

A.S.E.M looking into the future

He entered and cemented his spot in the music scene with one hit song Give Me Blow in 2008. That song, like Obrafour’s Pae Mu Ka, birthed a new genre of music-GH Rap. Four years down the line, he is still proving his worth.

Asem’s (Nana Wiafe Asante) music has very much improved, from one that sought to satisfy the yearnings of the youth (just like him) to one that is being appreciated by all across the enclave of music.

His maturity is again evident in his lyrics-punch lines, metaphors, relevant- and a taste in sound- a blend of highlife, afro-pop rhythms interspersed with hip hop sounds. His first album though spiced with hit tracks like Give Me Blow 1 & 2 and Pigaro, which in my view was hurriedly put together, content-wise because of the buzz the first single created.

The new album, Solid Ground shows a more matured, more focused, more elegant and more progressive artiste who has decided to leave an imprint on the music scene by producing classic work, rather than become ‘just-another-artiste’.

No More Payor sought to herald his entry into the game after a going quiet for a while. Then came, arguably the best song/collaborative song thus far Bye Bye. The track carries an aura of seduction and enchantment that would make, even the non-Asem fans to sing, nod or dance along. He couldn’t have featured anyone better than Kwabena Kwabena, whose sultry, emotion-filled voice gave the track the shade it deserved. What will you except from two good artistes who took a year to put that track together?

Though his split from Lynx Entertainment had a dark cloud over the artiste-(as it came at the back of allegations of defilement) which Asem believed stemmed from his single Filla- Solid Ground brought sunshine to the artiste’s world. Songs such as Go On, Last Song, 1000 Fights and Make Up (featuring Irene Logan), Bye Bye etc are laden with beautiful melodies, catchy hooks and everyday life happenings.

An artiste is as good as the producers he works with and Asem chose the right sound engineers. JaySo (Go One), KayWa (Bye Bye, 1000 Fights & Make Up), Richie (No More Kpayor), DJ Black (Show Something) and others from US.

Asem’s strong wordplay as evidenced on songs like Go One (my personal favourite), the 4Syte Cypher (2011) Last Song, Show Something makes him a force to reckon with. Plus Solid Ground attempts to bridge the gap between the older and younger generation by blending highlife influences with hip hop as with Bye Bye and currently Adole featuring Kwabena Mafia.

Though his career has not been without controversy- the alleged defilement claims, beefing with Kwaw Kesse, exiting Lynx Entertainment, the man has been able to survive all these deadly waves and now sitting on top of his game.

Asem has not been selfish with his talent. He has penned down incredible pieces of songs for former label mates Richie (Frema) and Irene Logan (Runaway) and Efya (Little Things) .The lyrics of these songs give attestation to how incisive and matured he has become.

The man who entered the hiplife/GH Rap scene all paunchy and beard-less except for a well trimmed moustache now has adorned his chubby face with a neat side-bend. Perhaps to tell us he is a different fella from the old Asem we knew.  And should he continue like this, it will not be long for him to get international recognition.