Blending non-verbal spells and using West African spirituals as hooks, Nigerian-born, Canadian-based musician, Asuquomo, maintains an unmistakable sound and unique dexterity for storytelling through a Pan-African narrative as an Afro-Fusion artist.
In 2019, Asuquomo opened for international artists Burna Boy, Falz the Bahd Guy, and Wizkid, and was awarded the 2020 Emerging Artist Award by Ottawa Arts Council x RBC. That same year, he released an extended-play project, DIOBU, which was financially supported by the Ontario Arts Council. Pitchfork Magazine described the EP as a project which “explores themes of family, home, and the immigrant experience in his adopted city,” in their 20 Great Records You May Have Missed: Summer 2020 seasonal roundup.
In October 2020, Asuquomo released the music video for his single, “Don’t Be Scared”, which was funded by the City of Ottawa. Following the release, American Songwriter Magazine described the visuals as “spastic and piercing, aggressive and personal, intriguing and entrancing” in their Five to Discover: Acts You Need to Know, with Asuquomo being the only Canadian act spotlighted. Awarded the SAW Prize for New Works 2021, Asuquomo has invested prize funds into his debut full-length album, set for release early 2022 - stay tuned! In the meantime, check out his song ‘Yahweh’ on Exclaim! Canada’s Top 25 EP’s of 2020 playlist on Spotify.
