WCPO Lounge Acts features CCM Dance alumna Bla'szé
Watch her performance and interview with CCM E-Media alumnus Brian Niesz
Story by CCM Graduate Assistant Alexandra Doyle
Asia Renea (BFA Ballet, ’13) might be more recognizable to Cincinnati audiences under her stage name, Bla’szé. In mid-September, the performance artist gave a concert at Northside Yacht Club as part of WCPO’s Lounge Acts series. In the series, artists perform and give an interview in the venue's courtyard, generally alternating between musical numbers and discussion with host Brian Niesz (BFA E-Media, '02).
Asia Renea, aka Bla'szé. Photo/Provided.
Although Renea studied ballet at UC's College-Conservatory of Music, an injury led her to pivot to a mostly musical career as a singer-songwriter. Needless to say, it’s been a very successful pivot; last year, Renea opened for Lizzo at U.S. Bank Arena (now the Heritage Bank Center), and she was also nominated for a CityBeat Cincinnati Entertainment Award for Best R&B/Funk/Soul Artist.
Despite the pandemic, Renea is having a professionally successful year. Earlier in 2020, she released her debut album, Energy, which uses her signature blend of a variety of musical styles: a little bit rhythm and blues, a little bit pop, a little bit rap. In her live WCPO Lounge Acts performance, her only accompaniment was a jazz-influenced electric guitar, which was an intriguing contrast to her vocal style.
“Most often [in these pandemic-era performances], the ‘audience’ consists of the team bringing the show together, so while performing you don't really get the applause, oohs, and ahhs that really build confidence during a live show,” Renea says.
“However, I have learned to appreciate it and use it almost as a live rehearsal. This mindset allows me to truly tap into the performance and entertain whoever is at home watching instead of who's right in front of me.”
Digital performances like this are both a reminder of today’s socially-distanced experiences and the cliché but very real drive of many artists: the show must go on.
“Since everything is being done on social media, I have really had to figure out what I can present to my audience that is still me yet fresh enough to keep my supporters coming back," Renea says. "It’s been tough. It’s been hard to stay in shape at home. But I am so grateful for this time I've had to be more creative and to think outside of the box."
If you’re looking for more Bla’szé content, visit YouTube to see her newly-released music video for “Love Me Tonight” from Energy.
Asia Renea, known now by her fierce persona Bla'szé, is a singer and songwriter from Ohio. At an early age, the Cincinnati native developed a love for performance, which moved her mother to put her in local summer dance classes.
By 6th grade she was accepted into the city's School for the Creative and Performing Arts where she majored in dance and drama. In her high school years, she was accepted into dance ensemble, which led her to win the renowned Corbett Mayerson Award. In 2009, Renea continued her dance education with a full ride to the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. By graduation in 2013, she had choreographed two pieces for her fellow students and danced multiple solo and lead roles in the school’s productions.
Following graduation, Renea was asked to come to New York to join the Dance Theatre of Harlem, but she decided to take time off of dance due to injury and family commitments. With her time no longer being focused solely on dance, she began to nurture her longtime love for singing and songwriting. Renea found herself around local producer and owner of Timeless Recordings, Evan Johnson, who encouraged her to pursue music.
Renea released her first single and music video, “Everybody Like Me,” in 2018. In July of 2019, she opened for Grammy-nominated sensation Lizzo at U.S. Bank Arena and was nominated for a Cincinnati Entertainment Award by CityBeat for best R&B/Funk/Soul artist.
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