Asa - Mayana [Video]

Nigerian singer Asa dropped her latest single ‘Mayana’ last week and it’s giving us a reason to smile today. ‘Mayana’ is a bouncy, uplifting number that invites movement and joy. The track’s video presents a cinematic accompaniment, shot in Lagos, Nigerian director and photographer Meji Alabi created visuals aimed to show off young, vibrant, colourful and fashionable Black people.

Adding more insight into the release, Asa shares, “Usually, when I write a song, I would make melodies with bits of words here and there. ‘Mayana’ stuck. I didn’t know what it meant. The usual thing I’d do is look for another word. I knew I wanted it to mean something good to this person I am singing to, like his forever. So, I Googled the word and voila! It means ‘Healer, tomorrow.’” Asa’s sultry vocals radiate amongst the positive arrangements with the production coming from Priime, who takes inspiration from Pop, Afrobeat, R&B and Soul soundscapes.

‘Mayana’ is from Asa’s forthcoming fifth album, which she created after returning to her home in Nigeria, when her European tour was cut short at the start of the pandemic. This gave her time to work on new music with a certain carefreeness. She was able to let go, trust the process and allow herself to be completely vulnerable. As well as the release of new music, Asa is scheduled to headline the iconic Royal Albert Hall in May 2022, which will no doubt be an incredible showcase of her talent and musical art.

You can view the video for ‘Mayana’ below: