Like most of you, I discovered Gasha with the song ‘Kaki Mbere’. I was immediately drawn to that sultry and raspy voice of hers on that song, which was different from everything I had heard before from any other singer of her generation.
There was something different about her; something alluring, mysterious, enigmatic, and at the same time quite transparent. Her style was distinct and unique. All my earlier observations were later confirmed in the songs ‘This Life’ and ‘Fire di burn’ with Magasco.
I must say this unequivocally. If there is any musician from our generation that can CONQUER THE WORLD, it is Gasha. Gasha could easily become the next Asa, Ayo, Nneka, and, I dare say, Sade. Now, I did not list those four names out of the blue. Coincidentally, they are all Nigerians, but that is beside the point. I listed them because, along with Gasha, their styles are all different, yet so similar.
Could we please do an exercise together? I want you to close your eyes, plug in your earphones, and listen to the following songs, and tell me if or not you can “feel” a taste of Gasha in each of them.
Asa – Eyo
Ayo – Down on my knees.
Nneka – Valley
Sade – Your love is king.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k0nMxO6mu0
Now, Sade may be in a dimension of her own, and the real Sade fans will tell me that comparing Gasha to Sade is quite bold. True! But please endure with me. Let’s not get carried away and miss the point. Sade started somewhere after all and has at least 30 years of music experience behind her.
However, I also am a great lover of music, with just over 200GB of music, and I listen to every genre, from funk to jazz, and to all kinds of musicians, from Janis Joplin to Jean Dikoto Mandengue. Certainement, that does not make me an expert in music, and although my musical catalogue may be pale in comparison to others, I like to think that somewhere I know quite enough to affirm that, unfortunately, Gasha has not even taken a step to reaching her fullest potential, and potential she is full of. Yet in a musical landscape full of Mr Leos and Lockos today, we do not see Gasha.
Mais qu’est ce qui ne marche donc pas?
I have one theory. For me, those she has worked with so far probably do not possess the musical genius to break the glass ceiling under which her potential is trapped. She is not understood. I am not sure whoever produces her music and/or manages her (without trying to insult them or minimise their experience) has the “vecu musicale” enough to propel Gasha to where she ought to be as a musician. I am not sure they understand the raw gem that they are tinkering with.
You cannot box Gasha into the Afropop genre corner. Gasha is bigger than that. I effing hate that song she did with Eddy Kenzo. It simply downplayed that young woman’s talent and made her look like every other person on TRACE.
It could also be that Gasha herself may not be aware of the full extent of her talent and her own unique style. I don’t know what goes on in her entourage and why she has not been releasing any music lately, but I sincerely hope that soon enough she and her management wake up and do their best to put her in the company of people who can make her “get there.” For if there is one REAL international musician in our generation, c’est bel et bien Gasha, and I cannot wait to see her blow up.
