World, meet the incredibly talented singer and dancer Asha Sing … she’s a Miami based pop artist whose first single “Mercy
YA Mag: Tell us a piece of trivia about you as a child that we wouldn’t already know.
Asha Sing: I started 15 min violin lessons at the age of three with a fake Styrofoam violin. I would have to stand still with the Styrofoam box for 5 minutes straight but could never do it. My dad says I’ve always been pretty talkative.
YA: How did you get your start in show business?
AS: I entered a competition at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, NY singing Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” and was crowned a winner. The next day I was introduced to Shirley Faison at the Carson Adler Agency and was signed to them. That began the whole thing for me!
YA: Describe an ‘average’ day in the life of you.
AS: I never have the same day but most days consist of writing with my co-writers and producers, reaching out to different artists to collaborate, recording, a lot of rehearsing for shows and even more snacking in between.
YA: We read that after you were signed with a casting agency, you worked as a backing dancer for Shakira. What’s she like and how was your experience working with her?
AS: Shakira is amazing. Her work ethic is what really impressed me. My experience was life-changing because it was during my performance with her that I realized what I wanted my artistry to be. Shakira has a very distinct sound and genre that fuses her Latino culture in her music. I knew after performing with her that I wanted to mimic her ways but include my Indian culture instead.
YA: We love the single “Satellite”. Especially those organs! Did you write the single? What’s it about?
AS: lol thank you! Yes, I co-write the single in Nashville with two amazing writers. It’s about meeting someone you have completely fallen and having your entire life revolve around them. You’re the ‘satellite’ orbiting their world and everything about that person makes your life brighter.
YA: Tell us about your “Be Unique” tour.
AS: This is a really exciting project for me. I wanted to share my music in a way that I could simultaneously give back to my community and the Be Unique Tour was my resolution to that. The Be Unique Tour consists of me visiting different schools in Florida. At the schools I share my story and perform a variety of music including my single ‘Satellite.’ It’s my goal to share how the unique things about myself carried me to where I am today.
YA: What do you consider to be the thing that makes you unique, as a human and as an artist?
AS: I think the two different worlds I grew up in – both Indian and American- is what defines me and characterizes the unique features about myself.
YA: Tell us what the core values are that are important to you.
AS: We also know that you are a graduate of the prestigious Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. How important would you say it has been to your trajectory to be a fully trained classical musician as opposed to somebody who goes it alone?
Getting a college degree has been everything. Its a vital part to my success. I would say 75% of my network has come through being a University of Miami graduate. Several experiences including working with Shakira and Daddy Yankee have come through being a student and meeting someone at UM. Also, because of its reputable program, I am taken more seriously and respected when speaking to music business people in the industry. For me, the investment of four years paid off big time.
YA: We’re super excited to hear more from you. What’s next for you for the rest of 2014?
AS: Finish up my tour! I might be ending my tour in India but we are still confirming details! I usually announce news on my facebook page so if you want to stay in the loop, find me there 🙂 www.facebook.com/ashasingmusic
YA: Which five songs are playing on your iPod?
AS: 1. Prayer in C – Lily Wood & The Prick and Robin Schultz
2. Jealous – Nick Jonas
3. Stupid Me – Magic!
4. Title – Meghan Trainor
5. We Are Done – Madden Brothers
Thanks!