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Hi Magazine featured celeb and Nigerian singing sensation, Bukola Elemide aka Asa, will headline the Arts Alive festival in Johannesburg next month.

Asa’s road to success wasn’t an easy one as she went against the wishes of her father to enroll in music school. In 2008, she won the Prix Constantin, an annual French music prize awarded to an artist whose album had immensely impressed music lovers that year. Asa has also been signed by Dramatico Entertainment, the record label that also has British soul singer Katie Melua on its books.

Her debut album ‘Asa’, was both socially and politically bold, thus putting her in the spotlight of contemporary jazz. Her sophomore album, ‘Beautiful Imperfection’, is a lot more personal for the singer, even though it is still filled with songs about social challenges in Nigeria and the African continent as a whole.

Speaking in an interview, she said; ‘On the first album, I wrote about growing up in Lagos and the situation and life there…. On this album, I write as a woman who has matured and travelled. It's more personal, rather than general. I'm bringing out my inner feelings.’

The annual Johannesburg Arts Alive International Festival is a project of the City of Johannesburg that gives back to its residents and visitors through a combination of free and accessibly priced arts and culture events.

The project is housed in the Directorate of Arts, Culture and Heritage. Taking place in spring each year and usually running for almost the full month of September, the Johannesburg Arts Alive International Festival covers all seven regions of the City of Johannesburg - with the Newtown Precinct forming the heart of the month-long event.

The festival includes film and theatre shows, the Soweto Wine Festival and stand-up comedy in areas such as Emmarentia, Orlando East, Brixton, Sandton, Eldorado Park, Newtown, Braamfontein and Rosebank. The event holds from September 1-25. Check www.artsalive.co.za for performance dates and more information.