Crowned one of the Artists (On the Come Up) for Chicago’s Christian hip hop (CHH) scene by
radio host and DJ Wade Harris for the syndicated Wade-O radio show—after her Breaking
Obscurity Freestyle video caught his attention, the emcee has been silently sharpening her pen
game and strenthening her skills as an emcee. After the release of Breaking Obscurity EP in
2014, the female emcee is back after a four-year hiatus with a new single entitled “WYWS”
(While You Were Sleeping). The song speaks directly to young men enthralled in Chicago’s gang
culture, asleep to their own mortality and eternity without Christ. It also confronts the local
church, asleep to the fact that they represent Christ to a dying world by way of gospel
proclamation.
“So I’m using the gospel as morse code/ giving glimpses of light to revive souls/ awakening dead
in favorite season/ in Christ is the weather and you need Him” -Aasha Marie lyrics from “WYWS”
Chicago’s gang-violence is one that hits close to home for Aasha Marie after losing her cousin
George to a bullet wound in 1993. This memory would have a long-lasting effect on her
personally as George, had recently became a Christian before he passed away, due to the
faithful witness of a family member who urged him to put his trust in Christ. Which the song
WYWS begs the question, “how many more George’s could there be if the church would
faithfully proclaim the gospel?”
The single, “WYWS” features production from LA-based rapper, singer-songwriter NOVA
(Christina Milian’s “Turned Up” reality show), Adam Sandler’s (“The Week Of” Netflix) and
newcomer Candace Brown lends her beautiful vocals to the chorus to bring home the message.
The single is a prelude to the music video—directed by Sanicole (location scout for Lena
Waithe’s “The Chi” on Showtime) who helped bring to life Aasha Marie’s vision of these two
sides in the same church building, both asleep, in need of revival.
Aasha Marie’s gritty gospel pays homage to her life’s early influences. Born the daughter of a
pastor in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood, Aasha Marie was exposed to a diverse range of music.
Growing up in a musical family Aasha Marie was exposed to generations of musical
talent and taste. However, it wasn’t until she truly discovered her relationship with Christ that
she began to understand herself as an artist. It was then that she found her true purpose in life
and in music. Aasha Marie has opened for Wale, Silento (performer of “Whip Nae Nae”) Mishon
(actor from ABC Family’s Lincoln Heights). She has also performed alongside rappers—
Da’T.R.U.T.H., Thi’sl, and Tony Tillman. “WYWS” is the first single to be released from her
forthcoming EP also entitled “WYWS” (While You Were Sleeping).
Website – www.aashamarie.com
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/aasha_marie
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AashaMarie9
Twitter – https://twitter.com/aasha_marie
Official YouTube Channel- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiuKitm-euI
