Alternative R&B’s rising star Asha Imuno embarks on Berhana’s The Nomads tour. Performing tracks from his debut album ‘PINS & NEEDLES,’ Imuno stole the audience’s hearts at Boston’s The Sinclair.

Stream: “BULLSEYE” – Asha Imuno

On April 15, alt-R&B’s next big thing, Asha Imuno, took the stage of Boston’s The Sinclair supporting Berhana on The Nomad’s Tour.

This is the first time that audiences have had their ears blessed with Imuno’s bouncy flow, multi-layered instrumentals, natural charm and captivating stage presence.

Hailing from Moreno Valley, California, Imuno began his musical journey making beats and learning to mix in his bedroom closet. The now 23-year-old artist masterfully blends and explores the worlds of jazz, R&B, hip hop and trap, taking all the elements of the music that raised him to create the powerhouse that now is Asha Imuno. Imuno is now touring his debut LP, PINS & NEEDLES, a project that is nothing short of masterful, groovy and a true labor of love.

PINS & NEEDLES - Asha Imuno — Asha Imuno’s debut album, ‘PINS & NEEDLES,’ out now via Guin Records

As the crowd filed into the intimate, 500 seat venue, The Sinclair, alt R&B lovers of Boston filled the venue with idle conversation and friendly greetings. Imuno’s collaborator and long time friend Noah Bentley took the stage first, warming up the crowd. As anticipation thickened the air that you “gotta cut it with static” (as the singer said in his hit track “DID I CALL AT A BAD TIME”), Bentley had the crowd hooting and hollering.

Asha Imuno then bounded onto the stage donning a blue and yellow UMich jersey, wide legged pants, stylish sunglasses and boots clad in silver buckles, dripping with the swagger of someone born for the stage.

Imuno opened his set with the opening track of his album “AM i GETTING THE WHOLE MESSAGE” before Bentley remixed it with Imuno’s most popular track “ZIG ZAGGING.” The singer kept up the energy in this intimate venue as he leapt, bound and danced across the stage, getting every member of the crowd moving and grooving along with him as he embarked on his ten track set.

The triple threat then played fan favorite tracks like “ROAD RAGE,” “BULLSEYE,” “PHONICS,” and my personal favorite “WATCH MY STEP.” Watching Imuno effortlessly switch between, singing, rapping and being a captivating performer was an absolute joy to watch.

Not only are each of Imuno’s tracks musically complex, but performing each track also poses a new challenge that Imuno passes with flying colors each time. Whether that’s the lilting alto line of “ROAD RAGE,” or the fast tempo rapping in “WATCH MY STEP” the performer takes on each song with stride, putting his own flare onto the live renditions of these tracks starting a “get, get, get high!” chant in the opening bars of his track “DO u WANNA BE HIGH?”

The performer also debuted two brand new tracks for this Boston crowd that had the audience hollering “Drop the track!” as Imuno asked, “What did y’all think of that one?” Both of the mystery tracks were chock full of bouncing beats and witty lyricism, painting an exciting picture of what is to come from Imuno’s next release.

Asha Imuno Embraces the ‘PINS & NEEDLES’ of Life in His Debut Album

:: INTERVIEW ::

This artist has always asserted that he creates for his community as his music and career is rife with his own tight-knit circle and familial community, toward the end of his set Imuno spoke to the crowd announcing, “I’m from Moreno Valley, California. Where I’m from, not too many people get to see this stage, so thank you for coming out tonight Boston.”

Always proudly repping his area code, Imuno reminds us why he performs with vivacious enthusiasm and swagger night after night. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, Asha Imuno is a superstar in the making. With his effortless groove, knack for building immersive soundscapes and doing it for his community, Asha Imuno is one to watch.