Sasha P

{{Infobox musical artist

| honorific_prefix =

| name = Sasha P

| honorific_suffix =

| image =

| image_size =

| landscape =

| alt =

| caption =

| birth_name = Anthonia Yetunde Alabi

| native_name =

| native_name_lang = Yoruba

| alias = First Lady of Nigerian Hip Hop{{cite web|url=http://ynaija.com/sasha-first-lady-of-hip-hop/|website=YNaija|author=Demola Adeshina|title=Sasha: First Lady of Hip Hop|date=13 December 2011|access-date=28 March 2015}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1983|06|21}}{{cite web|author=Patience Bambalele|url=http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/entertainment/2011/11/30/nelson-sasha-join-forces-to-fuse-jazz-and-rap-sounds|title= Nelson, Sasha join forces to fuse jazz and rap sounds|location=South Africa|publisher=Sowetan Live |date=14 August 2012 |access-date=28 March 2015}}

| birth_place = Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

| death_date =

| death_place =

| instrument =

| origin = Lagos, Nigeria

| genre = Hip hop

| occupation = {{flatlist|

Recording artist
entertainer
fashion designer
lawyer}}

| years_active = 1993–2014

| associated_acts = {{flatlist|

Jazzman Olofin
eLDee
Trybesmen
Banky W
Niyola
Tuface
}}

| website =

}}

Sasha P (born Anthonia Yetunde Alabi on 21 May 1983), also known as the "First Lady of Nigerian Hip Hop", is a Nigerian rapper, musician, businesswoman, lawyer, and motivational speaker.

Early life and education

The last of eight children, she was raised by her single mother, an educator, whom she fondly called Sisi Fadekemi, after her father died.{{cite web|url=http://www.informationng.com/2014/08/sasha-p-remembers-her-dad-25-years-after-writes-emotional-tribute-photo.html|title=Sasha P Remembers Her Dad 25 Years After|website=Information Nigeria|date=19 August 2014|access-date=28 March 2015}}

She began her musical career as a child in Ibadan.{{cite news|url=http://www.mynewswatchtimesng.com/wrote-first-song-10-sasha/|title=I wrote my first song at 10 – Sasha|publisher=Newswatch Times|date=1 December 2013|access-date=28 March 2015}}

She attended the International School Ibadan and the University of Lagos earning a bachelor's degree in Law.{{cite news|url=http://saharareporters.com/2008/03/13/young-talented-very-nigerian|publisher=Sahara Reporters|title=Young, Talented, Very Nigerian|access-date=28 March 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://encomium.ng/i-have-always-encouraged-the-growth-of-women-in-music-says-sasha-p/|title=I have always encouraged the growth of women in music, says Sasha P|publisher=Encomium|access-date=28 March 2015}}

Music career

{{Quote box |quoted=true |bgcolor=#bbccff |salign=center

| quote = "I believe as an individual, I have a social responsibility to make a difference any way I can" "

| source = -Sasha speaking about giving back to the community

| width = 25%

|align = right

}}

Sasha P gained success at a time when there were very few Nigerian women in Hip Hop music. Subsequently, her success helped pave the way for other female rappers and musicians in Nigerian hip hop.{{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201503020529.html|title=Nigeria: Survival Tales of Top Music Divas|author=Kehinde Ajose|website=Allafrica|access-date=28 March 2015}} She began musical collaborations and was signed on to eLDee's Trybe records.{{cite web|url=http://www.bellanaija.com/2012/05/05/bn-saturday-celebrity-interview-the-rapper-the-fashionista-the-advocate-its-the-first-lady-of-nigerian-hip-hop-sasha-p/|title= Saturday Celebrity Interview: The Rapper, The Fashionista, The Advocate – It's the 'First Lady of Nigerian Hip Hop', Sasha P!|publisher=Bella Naija|access-date=28 March 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mynewswatchtimesng.com/sasha-opens-up-on-secret-formula-journey-so-far/|title=Sasha opens up on secret formula, journey so far|publisher=Newswatch Times|author=Samond Biobaku|access-date=28 March 2015}} Sasha P has remained one of the most prominent female artists in Nigeria since 2001, especially after the successful release of her debut album First Lady under her record label STORM. She has been nominated for various awards in Nigeria and abroad.

She won the 2009 "Best Female Artist" award in the UK at the Women in Entertainment Awards for her first single titled "Adara". She was also nominated in dual categories (Best Female Video and Best Cinematography) by the SoundCity Video Music Awards for her second single Only One in 2009.

She was the first ever Nigerian female artist to perform at the 20th anniversary of the World Music Awards in October 2008. She was also the first Nigerian female artiste to win the Best Female Award at MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA).{{cite web|url=http://www.wowenigeria.com/Sasha%20P.html|title=Sasha P|website=Women of West Africa|access-date=28 March 2015}} Besides Adara, She released Gidi Babe on her birthday in 2009. She released a single in 2012 titled Bad Girl P.{{cite web|url=http://www.informationng.com/2012/08/sasha-p-drops-new-single-bad-girl-p.html|title=Sasha P drops new single: Bad Girl P|website=Information Nigeria|access-date=28 March 2015}}

In 2013, Sasha P revealed that she was taking a break from the music scene to focus on her fashion business.{{cite web|url=http://www.aprokocity.com/sasha-p-i-studied-law-because-i-have-always-been-very-opinionated/|website=Aprokocity

|date=2 September 2013|title=Sasha P: I Studied Law Because I Have Always Been Very Opinionated|access-date=28 March 2015}}{{cite news|url=https://www.olisa.tv/2016/09/where-are-they-now-top-3-nigerian-female-rappers-we-will-love-to-see-make-a-comeback/|title=Where Are They Now? 3 Nigerian Female Rappers We will Love to See Make a Comeback|website=olisatv|author=Olabanke Banjo|date=September 6, 2016}}

Endorsements

Sasha P was endorsed as a brand ambassador for Etisalat. She is also a cultural ambassador for her home state, Ekiti.{{Cite web|date=2015-02-19|title=Check out Sasha P when she was 22 years old|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/celebrities/throwbackthursday-check-out-sasha-p-when-she-was-22-years-old/lc021pl|access-date=2021-03-26|website=Pulse Nigeria|language=en-US}}

Fashion business

Sasha P pursued fashion as a bespoke designer in 2004. She created Nigerian high street fashion in December 2011 at L'Espace. In August 2012 she launched her own clothing label, Eclectic by Sasha, designed by herself.{{cite news|url=http://www.premiumtimesng.com/arts-entertainment/97231-sasha-debuts-fashion-line.html|author=Christabel Abiodun|publisher=Premium Times|title=Sasha debuts fashion line|date=21 August 2012|access-date=28 March 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.bellanaija.com/2012/10/05/bn-exclusive-nigerian-rap-star-sasha-p-presents-eclectic-by-sashas-inception-lookbook/|publisher=Bella Naija|title=BN Exclusive: Nigerian Rap Star, Sasha P presents Eclectic By Sasha's "Inception" Lookbok|date=10 May 2012|access-date=28 March 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://onobello.com/sasha-p-branches-into-fashion/#sthash.djUhyWWs.alMf2Yjg.dpbs|title=Interview: First Lady Of Storm Records Sasha P Branches Into Fashion- Talks About Her Label "Eclectic by Sasha" & New Collection "Inception"|website=Onobello|access-date=28 March 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.bellanaija.com/2012/08/17/nigerian-music-star-sasha-debuts-eclectic-by-sasha-the-inception-collection-at-lespace-this-sunday-exclusive-details-only-on-bn/|title=Advertisement Nigerian Music Star Sasha debuts Eclectic by Sasha – The "Inception" Collection at L'Espace This Sunday: Exclusive Details Only on BN|publisher=Bella Naija|access-date=28 March 2015}}

Humanitarian work

In regard to community service, Sasha P said, "I believe as an individual, I have a social responsibility to make a difference any way I can", and this she has done consistently over the years. She was part of the "Save a street child" campaign in Lagos (January 2009) and the "Maternal Mortality" project (May 2009){{cite web|url=http://m.thenigerianvoice.com/news/17251/1/hopelessly-romantic-sasha-says.html|title=Hopelessly Romantic -Sasha says|website=The Nigerian Voice|access-date=28 March 2015}} which aims to educate and help cater to the needs of young mothers who seek adequate medical care. She is also a motivational speaker{{cite web|url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/05/sasha-p-turns-motivational-speaker/|title=Sasha P turns motivational speaker|date=31 May 2013|publisher=The Vanguard|access-date=28 March 2015|author=Batholomew Maduke}}{{cite news|url=http://tribune.com.ng/news2013/index.php/en/2012-10-22-10-20-36/2012-10-29-11-51-11/item/19765-first-lady-of-calm,-sasha-p-musicians-provide-therapy-with-music.html|title=First lady of calm, Sasha P: Musicians provide therapy with music|author= Kemi Omololu-Olunloyo|date=23 August 2014|publisher=Nigerian Tribune|access-date=28 March 2015}} and has worked with a campaign to end violence against women.{{cite news|url=http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/violence-against-women-and-the-16-day-campaign/165802/|title=Violence Against Women and the 16-Day Campaign|date=3 December 2013|publisher=Thisday|access-date=28 March 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402163622/http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/violence-against-women-and-the-16-day-campaign/165802/|archive-date=2 April 2015|df=dmy-all}}

In 2012, Sasha P was the Olympic torch bearer for Nigeria.{{cite news|url=https://thenet.ng/sasha-joins-funke-akindele-yaw-others-as-2012-olympic-torch-bearer/|title=Sasha joins Funke Akindele, Yaw, others as 2012 Olympic torch bearer|publisher=Nigerian Entertainment Today|access-date=28 March 2015}}

Discography

First Lady (2006)
Gidi Babe (2009)

Singles

Oya (2002)
Work it (2002)
Emi Le Gan (2003)
Adara (2008)
Only One (2009)
Bad Girl P (2012)
Falling in Love (2014)

Awards and nominations

;Amen Awards

!Ref

|2004

|Sasha for "Emi Le Gan"

|Best Upcoming Artiste

|{{nom}}

|{{cite web|url=http://www.myrhythm.com/bio.php?id=542|website=My rhythm|title=Sasha|access-date=28 March 2015}}

;Women in Entertainment Video Awards

!Ref

|2009

|Sasha for "Adara"

|Best Female Artiste

|{{won}}

|rowspan=2|

;Channel O Music Video Awards

!Ref

|2009

|"Only One'

|Best Female Video

|{{won}}

|{{cite news|title=Hip Hop or not, I'm a woman – Sasha|author=Charles Mgbolu|url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/09/hip-hop-or-not-i’m-a-woman-sasha-2/|publisher=The Vanguard|access-date=28 March 2015|date=17 September 2011}}

;Kora Awards

!Ref

|2010

|Herself

|Best Hip Hop Act in Africa

|{{nom}}

;MTV Africa Music Awards

!Ref

|2010

|Herself

|Best Female Artiste

|{{won}}

;Sound City Music Video Awards

!Ref

|rowspan=2|2009

|rowspan=2|"Only One"

|Best Female Video

|{{nom}}

|rowspan=2|{{cite web|title=SASHA|url=http://www.mtvbase.com/music/artists/african-artists-sasha/|publisher=MTV Base|access-date=28 March 2015|date=9 July 2009}}

|Best Cinematography

|{{nom}}