With her smoky, soulful voice and her penchant for blending old-school R&B influences with a cutting-edge pop sensibility, the Paris-born, Nigeria-bred Asa became one of the most commanding singers to emerge from West Africa in the ‘00s. Inspired equally by American neo-soul stars (such as D'Angelo and Erykah Badu) and artists from closer to home, Asa offers up an organic, sensual brand of R&B that pays homage to the past while still feeling fresh.