From the Ivorian bush where Asna grew up, to the streets of Marrakech where she studied; from Youssou N’Dour who rocked her, to Daft Punk of whom she is an undisputed fan; from sacred drums to Afro-electro scenes around the world, the one who defines herself as “a sound explorer” and who is as gentle and smiling as her music is furiously hybrid, will delight your ears in 140 bpm mode! Portrait.
Asna was born 38 years ago in Abidjan, to a Senegalese father and an Ivorian-Senegalese mother. And it was in the Ivorian capital that, eight years ago now and self-taught, she made her debut as a DJ.
Since then, Asna has performed at the Trans Musicales de Rennes, Afropunk in Parisat Nyege Nyege in Uganda, or even at the Boiler Room from Atlas Electronic in Morocco. And each time, she caused a sensation. Result: Asna, who is a visual artist by trade, and now also a producer, is today one of the new figures on the Afro-electro scene.
In her explosive mixes, where coupé-décalé, afro-house, South African gqom or even traditional West African percussion meet, Asna explores her own roots and reveals, through a mirror effect, the aspirations of a liberated and uninhibited generation. As for his finely crafted productions (to be found on the compilations Nyamakala Beats from the Blanc Manioc label), they are designed for trance, like the dancefloor-killer Abissa.
While waiting for her first solo project, I meet Asna in Marseille, in the south of France, where she is preparing to sign the closing of the Southern Fiesta : from 3 a.m. and until 5 a.m., in this feverish place called the Dock des Suds, she will close the no less feverish after of this festival dedicated to global festive music!
From the Ivorian bush where she grew up to the streets of Marrakech where she studied, from Youssou N’Dour who rocked her to Daft Punk of whom she is an undisputed fan, from sacred drums to Abidjan evenings The Sundaythe one who defines herself as “a sound explorer” and who is as gentle and smiling as her music is furiously hybrid, will delight your ears in 140 bpm mode!
Journalist : Hortense Volle
Realization : Benjamin Sarralié
3D mixing in Dolby ATMOS for immersive headphone listening : Jérémie Besset
FMM production unit manager – RFI Labo : Xavier Gibert
► To follow Asna:
Soundcloud / Instagram / Facebook
Titles broadcast:
Excerpts from the compilation Nyamakala Beats #3 (Blanc Manioc – 2022): Atalaku; Abissa with anyoneID
Extracts from mix by DJ Asna at Altas Electronic / Boiler Room (2019)
And also extracts from: Dozo Foly by Praktika
Set by Youssou N’Dour
Around the World by Daft Punk
Mix by DJ Black Charles in Casablanca
Roukasskas by Kasskass Rizer (his duet with anyoneID)
Immigrant by Awana
Mek3fe by Dj Babatr, one of his favorite tracks of the moment