Edinburgh’s Bee Asha dropped her latest single ‘Gitika’ today, a propulsive banger which explores queer identity through a Scottish/Punjabi lens. Listen to the song below. 

The track leads Asha’s Gitika project, which comprises eight songs and three music videos and, in part, highlights the power of art in activism and social change. 

Asha says the single is exploring her 'identity as a queer, Scottish/Punjabi woman. The unconventional structure and lyrics are a reflection of this experience. An acknowledgment of how being, just existing, doesn't make a lot of sense. Throughout life we find these small moments with people or communities when you're just vibing together. They see you, or a part of you and you them.’

Speaking to Asha ahead of the release of her single ‘Faking It’ in 2022, she told us, ‘The new album is going to be called Gitika, which means “small song” in Punjabi. So it's kind of like a siren song. 

‘Every song on the album is a reflection on the mixed experience. Not just the mixed-race experience, but also growing up in the city and in the country, and growing up with and without money. And it’s about the connection to community that you find within those different places. So the connection to my female community, or my queer community, or my POC community. All these things can come together and create a really positive part of your life, but they also bring their own challenges.’ Read the full interview here. 

We placed Asha at number 48 of our annual Hot 100 list this year, writing, ‘One of the most interesting creatives working in Scotland, Asha’s Spit It Out Festival (co-founded with Léa Luiz de Oliveira) cemented its reputation as a thoughtful and welcoming space to explore issues of consent and inclusion. Unabashedly horny single ‘Shy Guy’ also showed a playful side to her music.’ Read the full Hot 100 list here.