Aasha Marie is a Chicago native now based in South Florida—a singer, rapper, and poet whose music blends gospel, hip-hop, jazz, and soul to tell powerful, faith-driven stories. Rooted in the richness of African American liturgy and shaped by her love for hip-hop and poetry, she creates spiritually aware, Christ-centered music that uplifts and challenges. Aasha knows it takes more than mere conviction to spread her message which is why she’s performed at events and festivals in and outside of Chicago. These include the Michael Jackson Charity Event opening for Wale, Silento, and Mishon at the Genesis Convention Center in Indiana, the Woodlawn 5k Dash & Food Truck Festival. Not only has Aasha hit the stage, she was a Kingdom Choice Awards Nominee for Female Rap Minister in Brooklyn in both 2016 and 2019.
In June of 2014, Aasha released her first EP Breaking Obscurity, but it was last year’s masterpiece While You Were Sleeping (WYWS) that has pushed her into the limelight through media outlets such flowsfordays.com, Hip Hop Weekly, Rapzilla, Kazi, RMG, and more. Aasha has developed a growing fan base and even premiered two of her tracks on-air at Vocalo 91.1 radio.
The 14 track project, WYWS is a picture-perfect display of the essence of Aasha as a performer and human being. There are sultry, poetic musings, fluid rhyming, uplifting singing, and an overall message that Aasha can do it all on the music front. She’s not afraid to share her vulnerabilities, intimate details of her life, and experiences that may have once been negative, but turned into blessings. Music lovers around the world relate and connect to her music indicated by the album’s 50K + streams on Spotify.
Her latest album, Emmett Till Road, pays tribute to her Chicago roots, elevating Black stories and the ongoing struggle against injustice. The project not only uplifts and encourages but also calls listeners to accountability—urging pride in heritage, wisdom in choices, and a commitment to building a better world.
A two-time Chicago IAP grant recipient, 2021 National Black Arts Forward Fund winner, I Love You COVID-19 Artist Relief Fund awardee, and 2024 Broward County Individual Artist grantee, Aasha has proven her ability to carry out ambitious artistic projects. She has performed with SoFar Sounds Miami and across South Florida, bringing Chicago’s gospel and migration story to new audiences, bridging cultures, and fostering resilience through music.
At the core of her work is a steadfast dedication to her Christian faith and biblical conviction. Aasha considers herself a Christ-explicit artist, ensuring the gospel remains central to her practice. Her mission extends beyond music—using her testimony, discipline, and spirit-led creativity to inspire transformation and point people toward Christ.