I recently featured music and did an interview with alternative R&B/pop singer Ash! On February 10, 2015, the artist dropped her debut project, The Perfect EP, for listeners! The four-track EP was produced by T Brown, who has worked previously with Janelle Monae (Ash is also a background singer for The Electric Lady!).

Ash’s debut reflects her own feelings on love, and, between the actual music and lyrics, listeners are bound to really connect with the EP! "The Perfect EP, I hope helps change the conversation in music. I think the way I've chosen to write about love will add a cool twist to the dialogue that so many artists are already having. At the very least I hope it compels people to love deeper," Ash said of the project.

Check out my review of The Perfect EP below!

“I feel like the world is ours, long as we are, are together…” The mid-tempo track, “Lost” begins the EP as Ash sings about her life and love. Even though sometimes she feels like she is far from where she is supposed to be, she’s never lost as long as she is with the one she loves. Any risks or costs are worth it to her. Personally, I've been here. When things are going wrong, having people, romantic or otherwise, in your life that can lift you up and be there for you is incredible. No greater feeling.

“I know you don’t want my love…I know you don’t need it, but I love you anyway…” The second song on the project, “Anyway,” is a fun, upbeat dance track that I really loved. Ash sings of wanting to make things work with her love, even though he doesn’t seem to want her. Though it all, she loves him—when he makes her happy and even when they disagree and he pisses her off! That’s true, unconditional love, that is really hard to find!


“No regrets, no apologies…love affair between you and me. I don’t care what nobody thinks cuz all I want is all I can see…” “Dear Dream” is a softer ballad where Ash describes her love as being the perfect dream for her. No matter what anyone has to see, he’s all she can see and is all she really needs. It was a very beautiful track that I had on repeat for quite a while.

“You don’t have to be, all these things are extreme…Let’s forget them, and just enjoy the ride…” The EP ends with Ash’s single, “Perfect,” which was featured on The Spotlight earlier this year. The energetic and bubbly track is the perfect way to end the project! The light-hearted song gives the message of finding a love that will do the simple things and Ash states that he’s perfect just the way he is. She doesn't need much. The song was actually a tribute to her father, who recently passed away. It’s a very fun but real track to listen to. When you really love someone, you realize that he or she doesn’t have to be perfect. Their flaws and imperfections don’t matter. The love you have for that person outweighs it all.

The EP is really chill and relaxing to listen to. When I spoke to Ash, she seemed like such a bright, fun, and positive woman, and it definitely shows in this project. Her vocals and the music production shine on their own, but the message of love throughout the EP shines even brighter. As I listened, I realized that this EP doesn't even have to be seen just in terms of romantic love. It's all about love in general. Regardless of what you go through, when you have real love in your life--from your significant other, your family, or your friends--it's truly a beautiful thing. I loved the EP, and will definitely be having it play on rotation on my iPhone!

RATING: ★★★★★ (Five stars)

You can purchase The Perfect EP on iTunes now!

10:10:00 AM

I really do love featuring the up and coming and hearing their stories! As always, if you are or represent an upcoming artist, designer, producer, etc, please contact us (refer to our Features/Submissions page for more info!).

Today, on The Spotlight, we have alternative pop/R&B singer Ash! A few weeks back, I featured her song "Perfect" on the blog, which is getting a lot of great feedback from listeners. Of course, I wanted to interview this great upcoming artist, and share her story here!

Ash grew up in a creative home, and actually starting singing around the age of three. She wrote songs basically all of her life, but, after graduating from Spelman, decided to actually work for the government, just like her mom. "Once I started working in the public sector, I realized that I needed to stop working in the public sector and pursue my dreams," she chuckled. The singer saved up money, and began working as a background vocalist.


Ash has sang background for a variety of different gospel artists, including Karen Clark Sheard, at church conferences, and also did background vocals on music from Tyler Perry's film I Can Do Bad All By Myself. Now the artist sings background for the Electric Lady herself, Janelle Monae, which she calls an amazing experience. "The band is composed of really, really cool creative people. Everyone is like a jack of all trades. It's really, really fun," Ash said. "[Janelle's a gem and [has] lots of great energy, [and] lots of poise. And many of us went to college together so it's really cool working with friends."

Inspired by artists like Chaka Khan, Erykah Badu, and Steve Perry from Journey, Ash is branching out on her own to create her music, her way, and to let her voice be heard. When asked what prompted her to step out as a solo artist, the singer stated it was the time to do. "I've completed my education, I've had experience working in the real world. I've had experience traveling with an amazing artist, and I've gained so much insight," Ash said. Now is the time for her to give herself a voice and put out a project and see if people can relate to what she has to say. "You just go for it," the singer admitted. "You don't know how it's going to turn out, but you just kind of have to try."

Her single "Perfect," as I said in my previous post, is a bright, fun alternative-pop track that is a great debut. It was really about my dad [who recently passed away]," Ash revealed. When her parents divorced, she grew up thinking certain things and being mad at some situations, but as she grew older, realized that any issues with her father didn't matter. "My father and I were very close. [I realized] I didn't need him to be some of the things I don't think he was for me as a kid, but I appreciated all of the other jewels he offered me over the past few years," the singer said. "Because of that, I realized that he was actually perfect after all."


"Perfect" is the lead single off of Ash's upcoming project, The Perfect EP, which is set to be released on February 10, 2015! The singer said listeners can expect "some fun, honest, relatable music," which I'm excited about! "I can't wait to hear what everyone else's thoughts are, but just get ready to have a good time, smile, and be cool because that's definitely the energy that's in that project," Ash said. She is working with producer Terrence Brown on the EP, writing and creating music for the project, so definitely be sure to watch out for that!

What I loved about talking with Ash is her positive, laid back vibe, and the fact that she's confident in herself. "I'm just comfortable being Ash. Doing my own hair, putting on my own clothes out of my closet," she said. "I'm really just going to be myself, and write from my heart. Nowadays, it's hard because you want people to accept you, and you want be the next Beyoncé or even Janelle Monae, but I'm very comfortable in my own skin. That's what I look forward to offering to the music industry, the whole me." In terms of her future in music, the singer has a few specific goals that she would like to accomplish. "I would like to win a Grammy one day," she laughed. "I want to be able to travel all over the world, and sing and play for people who want to listen." She also wants youth to know that even if you go to college or become a part of other ventures, you can still be creative and dive into music or other artistic moves. And, for Ash, even if the awards and major performances don't come, just to be able to sing and perform is what she's looking forward to most!

Be on the lookout for Ash's debut EP, The Perfect EP, on February 10, 2015 (purchase can purchase "Perfect" on iTunes now)! You can also listen to more from Ash on SoundCloud, as well connect with her on Twitter and Instagram. 

11:25:00 AM

Some new music for you! Alternative pop/R&B singer Ash, who has toured the last four years singing background with Janelle Monae, has dropped a new track called "Perfect."

Ash's pretty vocals really shine on the energetic and bubbly track! She sings a light-hearted message about finding a love that will do the simple things and that's perfect just the way he is. She doesn't need much. It's a very fun and light song that you just can't help grooving to! The song is the first single off her upcoming project, The Perfect EP, which is set to be released on February 10, 2015!

Check out the track below!


You can purchase "Perfect" on iTunes now! You can also listen to more from Ash on SoundCloud, as well connect with her on Twitter and Instagram. I'm also working on getting an interview with her soon, so be on the lookout! 

4:30:00 PM