National Geographic Music (National Geographic)

It's not easy hanging a label on Nigerian singer/songerwriter Asa. When her self-titled debut dropped in Europe in 2007 it garnered her comparisons to everyone from R&B songstresses Erika Badu and Lauryn Hill to iconic Afropop diva Angelique Kidjo – as well as rave reviews and impressive sales in both the UK and France.

Born in Paris, but raised in the Nigerian capitol of Lagos, Asa (pronounced "Ah-Shah") is part of a new generation of international artists that are as at home in world capitals as they are in the developing world. As a songwriter, she's revealed a startling depth and range, seamlessly taking on both the personal and the political – as well as an array of styles that ranges from acoustic folk-pop to reggae-tinged r&b.

Now American audiences can check her out for themselves, with long-awaited Stateside released of her self-titled debut. Nat Geo Music finally got the opportunity to meet Asa earlier this month when she played in New York as part of an all-too-brief publicity tour.

Nat Geo Music: I've seen your music described as everything from "African R&B" to "Post-Afrobeat" – and none of those descriptions seem very accurate. So how would you describe your music?

Asa: [laughs] That's a very good question! I don't really have a name for it. I think of it as a fusion of folk, jazz, hip-hop, reggae music, pop and everything else I grew up on. It's just modern music for this moment in time. It's like the sum of all my experiences and influences up till now.

And who were those influences?

My grandfather had a big record collection and I grew up listening to all of it. But I like that… what was it? "Post-Afrobeat"? [laughs] That's very interesting. I'm definitely inspired by Afrobeat and by Fela-even if my music doesn't have that sound. My music wouldn't be complete without what he did before me. His music is still very much alive. Everyone quotes Fela back in Nigeria.

I'm also a great student of Bob Marley. I think that, even before Fela, his success made it possible for artists in the developing world to be taken seriously on their own terms. I came into music because I wanted to have a say, a voice of my own. But it wouldn't have been possible if Bob Marley hadn't paved the way… and don't forget the songs! [laughs] What an incredible songwriter!

I'm surprised you didn't mention any female artists!

Oh no – there are a lot of women I really admire… Angelique Kidjo, Lauryn Hill… I admire Miriam Makeba especially. She's like Bob and Fela – she was so strong and original. Without her doing what she did it would be impossible for me to do what I'm doing now.

I can definitely see the influence – songs like "Jailer" and "Fire On The Mountain" are very socially conscious and message-oriented…

I believe that music should carry a message. When I recognized my talent, I knew I had a responsibility to use it to give something back. I want to use my music to tell real stories to people my own age.

So what message does your music carry?

The basic message in my music is hope. Growing up in Lagos opened my eyes wide to the world. Everything there is so raw and direct. You see riots, you see poverty, you see crime, you see death. Terrible things, but real parts of life, you know? And a lot of other realities, too… traffic is out of this world, no electricity, government is a bit of a farce… inflation is very bad… so many things are expensive and a luxury now… So many of the problems that Fela sang about 25, 30 years ago are still with us.

But it's not all a big horror show either. People live their lives there everyday and have all the same highs and lows and joys and sorrows as people anywhere else. I want to show that side of things, too. So my message is to stay positive. I'm always looking for solutions, always searching. We can't expect things to be done for us. We need to help ourselves.

You were supposed to follow up the album's release with a North American tour opening for Femi Kuti – but Femi cancelled at the last minute – how disappointed were you?

It was definitely a big disappointment. He's a man I truly admire - not just because of his father; but because he is so hardworking. I know how hard he works, and if he says he's ill, he must really be sick! [laughs] We played a show together in Paris, but we've never really met closely. I suppose it's just not our time to meet yet.

Even without Femi, you're still touring. This is your first tour of the States - how are you enjoying it?

Oh my god! What a time to come to America! I am so excited by Obama! Can you imagine – an American President whose father is African? And he's as inspiring for Americans as he is for Africans! Since I've been here I'm just listening to people talk. Listening to people's stories here is very inspiring for me.

You know there are so many great musicians from Nigeria, but I can think of very few women in those ranks… have you faced a lot of obstacles to get where you are?

It's true… there aren't many Nigerian women in music at an international level, but there are more than you think back home.Of course there's some obstacles to overcome – some sexism, some resistance - but I don't feel like I'm battling to break down doors or anything. It's not a heavy burden for me… I feel like maybe it's time for Nigerian women to be in the spotlight now.