Avain

Matti Mikael 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. In 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. While the rights to his former stage name remained at Warner Music, Salo emerged in 2004 with his current alias Asa. 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. In 2006, Asa was fined for possession of marijuana, cocaine and hash. "MAE HALUUN OLLA HIPPI". ascap.com. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved 30 August 2025. 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. v t e