Is ASA Wu Asia’s Next Big Pop Sensation?
Looking at the recent trends, it seems that the world’s largest continent is quickly sizing up against the West when it comes to the most popular music genre: pop music.
The musical category gives away its strongest asset in the name, but there are countless reasons for it. It’s upbeat, tangy, and at times bittersweet but undeniably a collective source of joy for humanity, pop music has evolved through the years and in turn expanded its impact. It seems like it’s losing its flavor in the West [though it’s making a slow but wild comeback with the Y2K wave], hence directing listeners to source from massive music industries like India, China, and South Korea. Asia is deep into pop music and the genre is shedding its old skin through Asian pop stars like Rina Sawayama, Twice, and Phum Viphurit.
J-Pop stands far in the podium of popularity when it comes to Asian pop music: out of its home country, it’s looking stale. But trilingual pop artist ASA Wu is making waves in the music community of Tokyo.
Bright, witty, and a little feisty, ASA Wu is still underground, but it’s very clear that this is just the early stages of her budding career. Currently based in the bustling city of Tokyo, Wu is Taiwanese and Japanese, therefore allowing her to swiftly transition between English, Japanese, and Mandarin. Wu is the type of artist who translates cute to sexy, and she’s an instant favorite for even those unversed in pop.
MO-MO might be the first song you’ll want to listen to. Her dominatrix tune, assertive and explicit in lyrics, demonstrates the quirky funk that we love so much about J-Pop, but her unique twist on RnB and prose creates this eclectic mix of flirtation and lingering.
Closely affiliated with Tokyo’s hyperpop princess DJ N2, she’s one of the main stars of the Kyun party collective and no doubt - ASA Wu is meant for stardom.
About the Author:
Mizuki Khoury
Born in Montreal, based in Tokyo. Sabukaru’s senior writer and works as an artist under Exit Number Five.
