Ozioma Nwabuikwu

My Recent Work

RANGE •

Arlo Parks Wants You To Dance

“This whole record feels like I’m wanting to get closer to myself and to accept myself and understand myself in the world,” she says.The pivot isn’t as abrupt as it sounds. Parks has long been drawn to early 2000s Croydon post-dubstep, James Blake, and Joy Orbison — sounds she absorbed well before this record. Produced primarily with longtime collaborator Baird in his downtown LA loft, Ambiguous Desire moves between on- and off-floor intimacy, holding pleasure and contradiction in the same breat...
RANGE •

Snail Mail Faces the Unknown

Lindsey Jordan, professionally known as Snail Mail, has long known how to capture youthful angst in all its melancholic nostalgia. Her third studio project, Ricochet, delivers exactly that. On this brilliant new record, Jordan immerses the listener in affecting ’90s alt-rock symphonies, echoing the teeming sonic universe of her debut, Lush.
Over larger-than-life string arrangements and distinctive sonic flourishes, she reckons with both the expanse and brevity of life and death. What is the mean...
RANGE •

Malia Baker is Up for the Challenge

Malia Baker has always aspired to greatness – and it’s paid off. At the age of 19, the Botswana-born, Vancouver-based actress has a doll made in her likeness, has acted in two major franchises (Disney’s Descendants and Netflix’s The Babysitters’ Club) and represents not one but two major activist organizations – “She’s The First” and “GirlUp.” This month, Baker’s new project, survivalist thriller Hair of the Bear, releases in Canadian theatres, marking her first executive producer credit. But at...
RANGE •

Witch Prophet is Taking Control

“Gateway Experience was me trying to figure out, like, ‘Hey, what’s going on? This feels like something with my brain, something’s happening’… Words are Spells, Thoughts are Magic is ‘No, now you know, and you need to work on healing and figuring out who you want around you, and realizing the goodness that you do have, and also calling out the bullshit that was around and being like, hey, like, I don’t want negative talk.’”
Speaking life into herself is a practice Leilani has been honing for a l...
RANGE •

Witch Prophet is Taking Control

“Gateway Experience was me trying to figure out, like, ‘Hey, what’s going on? This feels like something with my brain, something’s happening’… Words are Spells, Thoughts are Magic is ‘No, now you know, and you need to work on healing and figuring out who you want around you, and realizing the goodness that you do have, and also calling out the bullshit that was around and being like, hey, like, I don’t want negative talk.’”
Speaking life into herself is a practice Leilani has been honing for a l...
Toronto Star •

Daniel Caesar forgave his father and found a profound new sound: ‘I feel like my career is starting now’

“Ashton is here!” Daniel Caesar, born Ashton Simmonds, bursts into view on Zoom, fresh-faced and grinning. He’s just visited the hot springs in Montana, which accounts, in part, for his glow. These days, the Oshawa-born R&B star is partial to spending time in nature — the more remote, the better. Just a few weeks earlier, though, Caesar was back on familiar ground: Trinity Bellwoods Park in Toronto. He marked the release of his fourth studio album, “Son of Spergy,” with an impromptu concert, a n...
RANGE •

The Best (and Worst) Films We Saw at TIFF 2025

The Toronto International Film Festival celebrated its 50th anniversary this year with panache. TIFF’s golden anniversary edition surrounded itself with buzzy premieres, star power, and its fair share of controversy (courtesy of one particular doc about the Oct. 7 attacks portrayed through a Zionist lens). Yet, despite all the noise, TIFF stuck to what it has always done best ever since its humble formation as the so-called “Festival of Festivals,” showcasing a legion of movies, both homegrown a...
RANGE •

Nonso Amadi Opens Up the Floodgates

No matter what corner of the Nigerian music scene you’re in, Nonso Amadi’s name has likely come up. From his early alté-era collaborations to Afro-pop hits like “Tonight” and his debut Afro-R&B album When It Blooms, Amadi has long been celebrated for his smooth vocals and emotionally rich songwriting. But on his new EP, TO CRY A FLOOD, he dives even deeper — pairing an Afrobeats-driven tempo with introspective, grief-laden lyrics that uncover yet another layer of his artistry....
RANGE •

The Sounds of Cincinnati: A Voyage Through Black Music History

What do Bootsy Collins, The Isley Brothers, and John Legend have in common? Beyond being global funk and soul innovators, they all hail from Ohio — a state not always recognized for its rich Black musical lineage. Yet Cincinnati has long been a sanctuary for Black creativity and resilience. Historically, it was a haven for enslaved and freed people escaping from Kentucky and beyond across the Ohio River — bringing with them faith, community, and, of course, music.“I always thought that crossing...
RANGE •

Dinner with Friends Is a Love Letter To Imperfect Relationships

Shot on a micro-budget and co-written and directed by Sasha Leigh Henry, Dinner with Friends wastes no time dropping you into a lovable yet messy group of friends finding their way back to each other through irregular dinner parties. This is Henry’s debut feature film under her newly minted production studio, Everyday People, in collaboration with writer-producer partner Tania Thompson. Even with the odds stacked against them during production, Dinner with Friends is a revelation in many ways —...
RANGE •

Alessia Cara’s Latest Love Potion Is Doing The Trick

At first, inspiration didn’t come easy on the musical side, but she soon found “new sonic territory” – and with most of this new record featuring gorgeous live instrumentation, you can tell. In life, her experimentation didn’t take her as far as the dating apps (“I’m not built for it,” she says), but Cara is in a “pretty good place” nonetheless. With earned wisdom and her distinct brand of storytelling, Alessia Cara wrestles with the growing pains once again on Love & Hyperbole. This time, howev...
Toronto Star •

‘We are trendsetters. We are culture creators.’ A striking Toronto exhibition spotlights the vibrancy and resilience of Black creatives

Two years ago, prompted by the death of cultural icon and legendary fashion editor André Leon Talley, the curating duo of artist Ilene Sova and writer Byron Armstrong began to investigate the connection between art, the fashion industry and Black creativity and style. Thus, the pair’s concept of an art show to memorialize and celebrate Black style and identity was born. “[Fashion] is another creative industry where Black people have shown some sort of resiliency to prove their worth and push for...
RANGE •

Naomi Sharon Has Found Her Flow

Her debut album, Obsidian, released in October 2023 and was met with immense praise from critics and audiences alike, lauded for its cinematic blend of R&B and alternative genres. Fresh off a tour opening for Tems, Naomi Sharon is back with something a little different on her new EP, The Only Love We Know. 
“For Obsidian, it was more about getting over heartbreak and finding yourself again…with the new music, it’s a little lighter almost. [It] has the energy of moving forward,” says Sharon of th...
Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews •

Escape Into The Infinity Club: BAMBII Interviewed | Features | Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews

“I don’t want you to film, I want you to dance.” This simple missive, said by BAMBII at the helm of the DJ booth during the Toronto edition of her ‘INFINITY CLUB II’ EP listening party, summarizes a key part of her ethos: staying present in an industry ruled by algorithms and at parties ruled by phone surveillance. Last month, the city showed up and showed out  – on a school night no less – to support the Toronto-raised Jamaican DJ and artist, with a lucky few being escorted to the party in a wh...
Mustafa Was a Mountain in Toronto │ Exclaim! •

Mustafa Was a Mountain in Toronto │ Exclaim!

Toronto could not have been more ready for Mustafa's return. Decked out in all the colours of the keffiyeh and limited edition merch, the crowd at Roy Thomson Hall featured everyone from young children to African aunties in their Sunday-best. As we settled into our seats, friends found each other and soft music — some of Mustafa's favourites, like Sufjan Stevens and Fairuz — wafted through the room. The stage was a cross between a prayer room and a Moroccan tea room, decked out with ornate gold...
Departure Festival Treasured Toronto's Princess an •

Departure Festival Treasured Toronto's Princess and Uncovered More Canadian Crown Jewels │ Exclaim!

When I heard that SadBoi, Toronto's official dancehall princess, was going to be playing at Departure Festival, I knew I had to be there. I headed over to the ever-chic Drake Underground on Thursday night (May 8), where SadBoi's entourage — or at least the people who looked like they'd be in her entourage, teeming with leather, spikes and effortless cool — had seemingly already descended upon the venue.As the crowd trickled in, Litney took the stage to begin her opening DJ set. We may have been...
Toronto's Departure Festival Isn't Your Dad's Cana •

Toronto's Departure Festival Isn't Your Dad's Canadian Music Week │ Exclaim!

"It's definitely fancier," said a fellow festivalgoer when I asked about the difference between the old Canadian Music Week and its new, revamped model, Departure Festival + Conference. While I didn't personally attend CMW in yesteryears, previous promotions don't seem to come close to what's been invested in this new festival. Comedy, music and film programming, plus a conference with guests like Matty Matheson and Jessie Reyez? They don't actually perform, but still.To its credit, the performi...

Deeds Magazine - Rema Brought The HEIS Rave to the 6ix

Once I heard Rema was going touch down in Toronto for the HEIS Tour, I knew I had to be there. May 11th couldn’t come fast enough and clearly the other fans agreed. Last Sunday, Scotiabank Arena was filled with baddies clad in leather and burgundy. This must be why the streets have been calling this tour the “African Fine Sh*t convention”. Rema has had a banner year taking the world by storm with his dynamic yet original take on Afrobeats in new album, HEIS. The tour of the same name has also ma...
RANGE •

Laufey Turns the Page on A Matter of Time

In classic fairytale fashion, Laufey’s third album A Matter of Time dances between dizzying highs and unceremonious falls. Blending whimsical classical flourishes with pop-leaning guitar ballads, she captures the push and pull of gut-wrenching love and defiant heartbreak while crystallizing key moments of her personal journey.
Amid bashful love songs, Laufey finds her voice in deeper territory, unpacking the struggles of fame, best-friend breakups, and homesickness. Elsewhere, she leans into mor...

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Ozioma is a music curator and journalist, originally from Nigeria. After living in BC for six years, she moved to Ontario to discover a richer music scene. She can often be found attending live music events or giving unsolicited opinions.

Ozioma is a music curator and journalist, originally from Nigeria. After living in BC for six years, she moved to Ontario to discover a richer music scene. She can often be found attending live music events or giving unsolicited opinions.

Gig Photos: Haley Blais and Gabrielle Shonk at the NAC Fourth Stage

It’s my first time at the NAC Fourth Stage and I’m delighted by the intimacy the venue offers with soft twinkly lights, cocktail tables surrounding the stage and ample seating. The opener, Gabrielle Shonk, takes the stage. With flaming pink locs, an oversized suit and a sincere posture that matched her lyrics, Shonk charmed the audience with songs from her sophomore album, “Across The Room”. Themes include anxiety, exes and people-pleasing but her beautiful tone and masterful guitar playing mask...
Nemahsis Triumphantly Overcame the Flu at Heartfel •

Nemahsis Triumphantly Overcame the Flu at Heartfelt Toronto Show │ Exclaim!

Record-high levels of snow couldn't stop Torontonians from descending upon the Danforth Music Hall to see Nemahsis in concert. Last night (February 19) marked the second and final Toronto stop on the Milton, ON-raised singer-songwriter's Don't Go Where You'd Hate to Be Found Tour — her first headlining North American trek. Originally a one-night affair, another date was added to meet demand for the newly thrice-JUNO-nominated Palestinian-Canadian artist born Nemah Hasan.No matter the first or se...
Ravyn Lenae Looks at Life with a 'Bird's Eye' on H •

Ravyn Lenae Looks at Life with a 'Bird's Eye' on Her Sterling Sophomore Album │ Exclaim!

Two years after her debut album HYPNOS, Ravyn Lenae returns with Bird's Eye. Another smorgasbord of the fluttery falsettos, iridescent vocal stacks and tender lyrics that've made Lenae a modern R&B torchbearer (and a regular on most of my playlists), Bird's Eye finds Lenae courting disruption both in life and music. Piecing together the lessons learned from strained relationships, Lenae expands her dusky R&B and soul into rock, folk and even reggae. Bird's Eye is tinged with her signature futuri...
RANGE •

King Cruff: This is Modern Reggae

But you wouldn’t know how hectic it’s been looking at him. As he settles into his seat for our interview, it’s immediately evident that he’s mastered maintaining perpetual cool and humility in the face of nonstop uncertainty.
Cruff’s willingness to push boundaries for his creativity doesn’t only apply to location – it’s essential to his music philosophy. Though reggae and dancehall are his first loves, his debut EP, WHAT HAVE I ‘DON, boasts additional genre explorations that will satisfy everyo...
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