The 2008 Prix Constantin has been won by Asa (pronounced 'Asha') for her eponymous debut album. The folk-pop singer (right), real name Bukola Elemide, received her prize at a ceremony in Paris last night.
Born in France but raised in Lagos, Nigeria, Asa has found success with her brand of acoustic pop, mixing gentle afro-folk rhythm with soulful melody. You may recognise her from the MOBO Awards, where she was nominated for Best African Act.
(You may recall that your Paris correspondent feared Asa would be a rank outsider for this prize. So much for our tipster ability.)
Here's the video for the best-known song from the album, 'Fire On The Mountain':
[Read More...]
2003 - Witnness 2003, a comprehensive review by Brian Kelly of the 2 days of what transpired to be the last ever Witnness festival (in 2004 it was rebranded as Oxegen when Heineken stepped into the sponsor shoes).