Matti Salo (born 1980), professionally known as Asa and previously as Avain, is a Finnish rapper, record producer and singer. He is also a member of hip hop and reggae group Jätkäjätkät.
Asa | |
|---|---|
 Asa in 2015 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Matti Salo |
| Also known as | Avain (1999–2003) Asa Masa |
| Born | 1980 |
| Origin | Helsinki, Finland |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2001–present |
Career beginnings
editIn the early 2000s, Salo was signed to Warner Music Finland. Under his initial stage name Avain, he released his debut album Punainen tiili (The Red Brick) in 2001. With its socially conscious lyrics, the album is considered to be one of the most important Finnish hip hop albums of all time[according to whom?]. Soon after its release, Salo parted ways with his record company and went on a few years hiatus.[1][2]
Later career
editWhile the rights to his former stage name remained at Warner Music, Salo emerged in 2004 with his current alias Asa.[1] To date[when?], he has released nine studio albums, two of which have reached number two on the Finnish Albums Chart, along with three albums with the group Jätkäjätkät.[3]
Personal life
editIn 2006, Asa was fined for possession of marijuana, cocaine and hash.[4]
Selected discography
editSolo albums
edit| Year | Title | Peak position |
|---|---|---|
| FIN [5][6][7][8] | ||
| 2001 | Punainen tiili | 5 |
| 2005 | Leijonaa mä metsästän | 3 |
| 2006 | Terveisiä kaaoksesta | 7 |
| 2008 | Loppuasukas | 4 |
| 2011 | Jou jou | 2 |
| 2012 | Foetida – Use Your Illusion III | 11 |
| 2013 | Rapsodia | 16 |
| 2015 | Love | 2 |
With Jätkäjätkät
edit| Year | Title | Peak position |
|---|---|---|
| FIN [9] | ||
| 2010 | Ykstoist ykstoist | 6 |
| 2011 | Jatkojatkot | 8 |
| 2013 | Marian sairaala | 3 |
References
edit- ^ a b Leppänen, Janne. "Asa: Roihuvuori ja Punainen tiili". Yle. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
- ^ Tervo, Toni. "Asa kaataa hallitsevan luokan rakkaudella". Helsingin Uutiset. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
- ^ Jansson, Panu. "Jätkäjätkien kulkurikaravaani kulkee festareilta toiselle". City. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
- ^ "Nuorisoidoli kärysi kokaiinista". 22 April 2006.
- ^ "Asa". Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland ry. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
- ^ "Asa & Toverit". Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland ry. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
- ^ "Asa Masa". Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland ry. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
- ^ "Avain". Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland ry. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
- ^ "Jätkäjätkät". Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland ry. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
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