Asikey
{{Short description|Nigerian singer-songwriter}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Asikey
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| birth_name = Asikiya Albright George
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| genre = {{hlist|Soul|alt-rock|pop}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|guitarist}}
| instrument = {{hlist|Vocals|guitar}}
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| label = Pendulum Records (former)
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Asikiya Albright George, known simply as Asikey or Asikey George, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter.{{Cite web |url=https://theafrovibe.com/will-stop-asikey-going/ |title=Who Will Stop Asikey (From Going)? |date=30 August 2017 |access-date=2018-06-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612162509/https://theafrovibe.com/will-stop-asikey-going/ |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=dead }} Her music is a mixture of alternative rock,{{Cite web |url=http://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/asikey-george-talks-career-journey-plans-for-the-year-2018-id7755787.html |title=AFRIMA 2017 winner discusses career journey, plans for the year 2018 |last=Johnson |first=Ayodele |date=20 December 2017 |website=Pulse}} pop{{Cite web |url=http://tooxclusive.com/download-mp3/asikey-earth-attack/ |title=Asikey – "Earth Attack" |date=22 September 2016 |website=TooXclusive |access-date=2018-06-03}} and soul.{{Cite web |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/03/soul-conversation-genie-platform-soul-music-fraternity-nigeria/ |title=Soul conversation with the Genie: a platform for soul music fraternity of Nigeria |website=Vanguard |access-date=2018-06-03}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.praxismagonline.com/asikeys-earth-attack/ |title= Notes on Asikey's Earth Attack |last= Praxis Editorial |date=30 September 2016 |access-date= 2018-06-03}} In 2017, she won Best Female Artist in Inspirational Music at the All Africa Music Awards.{{Cite web |url= https://rhythm937.com/wizkid-wins-big-at-afrima-2017-full-list-of-winners/ |title= Wizkid Wins Big At AFRIMA 2017 {{!}} Full List of Winners |date= Nov 13, 2017 |website= Rhythm FM |access-date= 2018-06-03 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140241/https://rhythm937.com/wizkid-wins-big-at-afrima-2017-full-list-of-winners/ |archive-date= 12 June 2018 |url-status= dead }} The Daily Trust newspaper named Asikey one of the top ten Nigerian musicians of 2017.{{Cite web |url=https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/top-10-hottest-naija-artistes-of-2017.html |title=Top 10 hottest Naija artistes of 2017 |last=Kehinde |first=Opeyemi |date=26 December 2017 |website=Dailytrust |access-date=2018-06-03 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141000/https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/top-10-hottest-naija-artistes-of-2017.html |url-status=dead }}
Early life and education
Asikey was born into a family from Rivers State, but spent her early years in Ogun State.{{Cite web |url=https://theafrovibe.com/asikey-crazy-combination-great-not-great/ |title=Asikey: Crazy Is a Combination of Great and Not Great |last=Arinzechukwu |first=Akpa |date=13 September 2017 |website=Afrovibe |access-date=2018-06-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723104328/https://theafrovibe.com/asikey-crazy-combination-great-not-great/ |archive-date=23 July 2018 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=https://notjustok.com/video-download/video-asikey-let-us-be/ |title=VIDEO: Asikey – Let Us Be |last=lalaboiy |date=7 August 2015 |access-date=2018-06-03}} She studied history and international studies at the University of Nigeria. Although Asikey had a Christian upbringing and incorporates religious themes into her music, she identifies as non-religious.
Music career
Media outlets have compared Asikey to Aṣa because of her musical style, with TooXclusive calling her "Africa's next Asa".{{Cite web |url=http://tooxclusive.com/download-mp3/asikey-dont-let-go/ |title=Asikey – We (Don't let me go) |date=19 August 2017 |access-date=2018-06-03 |archive-date=25 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125232743/http://tooxclusive.com/download-mp3/asikey-dont-let-go/ |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=http://themetroreview.com/music-review-earth-attack-by-asikey/ |title=Music Review: "Earth Attack" by Asikey |last=Nwilo |date=25 September 2016 |access-date=2018-06-03 |archive-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719233228/http://themetroreview.com/music-review-earth-attack-by-asikey/ |url-status=dead }} In a 2017 interview with Afrovibe, she acknowledged Aṣa's influence on her music, highlighting the impact that Bed of Stone had on her.
Asikey released her debut extended play (EP), Human, under Pendulum Records in 2016. It was promoted and marketed by Lanre Lawal's Bail Music Company. Comprising seven tracks, Human grapples with existential topics like freedom and existence. It received positive reviews from critics and consumers, with many praising its distinctive flair. Reviewing for 360nobs, Wilfried Okichie said the record "takes a subtler path using understated production and effective song writing that can be a detriment in these parts."{{Cite web |url=https://www.360nobs.com/2016/11/album-review-asikey-human/ |title=EP Review: Asikey – Human |last=Okichie |first=Wilfried |date=14 November 2016 |website=360nobs.com |access-date=2018-06-03}}
Asikey's 7-track second extended play, Yellow, was released on 1 May 2020. It was produced entirely by Mikky Me Joses and features a collaboration with singer Brymo. The EP explores topics such as mental health, self-love and upliftment. In a review for Pulse Nigeria, Motolani Alake awarded Yellow a rating of seven out of ten, praising its production and commending Asikey for making her words believable and "projecting her honesty".{{cite web |author1=Motolani Alake |title='Yellow' sees Asikey's glowing tribute to mental health, self-love and upliftment [EP Review] |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/asikey-george-yellow-ep-review-brymo-features/1qzzh6m |website=Pulse Nigeria |access-date=7 May 2020 |date=7 May 2020}}
Discography
EPs
- Human (2016)
- Yellow (2020)
Selected singles
- "Dark" (2017)
- "Love with You" (2019)
- "We (Don't Let Me Go)" (2019)
References
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Category:Nigerian women singer-songwriters
Category:Nigerian singer-songwriters
Category:Nigerian soul musicians
Category:Nigerian women guitarists
Category:University of Nigeria alumni