4 minute read
Ten Minutes With Local Tastemakers: Asham John
"Tell them about this little girl with black eyes and crazy dreams. What I want is to write stories that you will hear about, that's all.” So goes the lyrics to Voilà, the song that landed Asham John in Paris and Belgium in July this year, after winning a French singing competition. Recording her submission video in her bedroom, little did Asham know that the words she was singing would come true.
After graduating from UNAM School of Medicine this year, Asham found herself evaluating the next chapter of her life. Would she continue on to internships and begin building her medical career, or was this the perfect time to actively pursue music? Rather serendipitously, the latter became the clear choice after Asham stumbled on the Chante En Français competition on social media, an initiative of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs France. She submitted her video and entry form and crossed her fingers. Out of over 300 submissions and 20 shortlisted, amateur singers, Asham is one of five winners whose prize included an all-expense paid trip to Paris during the Olympics, and Spa, Belgium for the Francofolies music festival.
Along with the other winners from Congo, Japan, Italy and France, this whirlwind, five-day trip included staying at an artist residency in Villers-Cotterêts, the international city of the French language. It was here that Asham had a bit of an epiphany. In the company of multidisciplinary artists who make a living from creating, for the first time, Asham came to terms with the idea that a life in music and the arts could be in the cards for her, so she’s taking a gap year of sorts to explore this possibility.
Asham’s been singing her whole life, a journey that started with performing in church. Growing up, she was surrounded by music of all genres and introduced to the classics by her parents. A musical gene is undoubtedly coursing through her veins, as she recalls stumbling on an album her musically gifted dad created on cassette tape. Being raised by Nigerian parents, Asham stresses how fortunate she is that they have always supported her more unconventional ideals. Studying medicine felt like a calling, rather than a pressure. And now that Asham has graduated, she has the freedom to explore her creative side.
"Tell them about this little girl with black eyes and crazy dreams. What I want is to write stories that you will hear about, that's all.”
While she was born in Nigeria, the 26-year-old singer-songwriter has been living in Namibia for 20 years. Asham yearns to return to visit her distant family, but admittedly, feels that the land of the brave is her true homeland. While the area she is originally from faces unrest and uncertainty, Asham says she’s connecting with her Nigerian roots through food and music, until the right time comes for her to rediscover her early childhood stomping ground.
What is in store for Asham’s year of musical exploration? She says “I’m interested in the journey itself and not so much holding on to any specific outcome.” The songbird’s schedule is filling up with gigs, from corporate events to The Village Sunday Market. In the meantime, an EP is in the works, and sure to be filled with uplifting and hopeful original music as Asham experiments with soul, R&B and pop genres.
Asham John’s star is on the rise, and her story serves as a poignant inspiration to bet on yourself. From recording music in her room and sharing it to socials to winning a singing competition and performing at the Francofolies Festival, here’s that sign you might be looking for to step out of your comfort zone, the risk is almost always worth the reward. In her own words, Asham says “I’m exactly where I need to be,” and in the words of Barbara Pravi in Voilà, “Here I am.”