Emeka Morris[1] Ogbowu[2] (born May 15, 1993), better known as Asuquomo, is a Nigerian-Canadian rapper, singer and visual artist based in Ottawa. In 2020, he won the RBC x Ottawa Arts Council's Emerging Artist of the Year Award .[3] As a performer, he has opened for international artists such as Burna Boy, WizKid, and Lido Pimienta.
Asuquomo | |
|---|---|
| Born | Emeka Morris Ogbowu 15 May 1993 Port Harcourt, Nigeria |
| Occupations |
|
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2018–present |
| Labels | Secretly Publishing International |
Early life and education
editAsuquomo was born in Nigeria, and moved to Canada to attend university[4] in 2012.[5] He is a graduate of Algonquin College, with a certificate in professional illustration and concept art from Algonquin's school of media and design.
Career
editAsuquomo is known for both visual and auditory storytelling; his works have been described as having a Pan-African narrative as Afro-Fusion influences.[6][7][8][9] He has been an opening act for Wizkid and Grammy-nominated Burna Boy, as well as Mdou Moctar, Shay Lia, Zaki Ibrahim, Violent Ground, Jazz Cartier, Lido Pimienta, Cadence Weapon, Kimmortal, BROCKHAMPTON, Keynes Woods, and Kodie Shane. He has played festivals including Marvest CityFolk, Ottawa RBC Bluesfest[10] and Arboretum Festival.
In 2018, he released the mixtape This That Mo.[11]
In June 2020, Asuquomo released his EP, Diobu,[12] which received support from the Ontario Arts Council. He had begun working on the EP in 2018, during an artist residency at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity.[5] The album was well received by critics. Pitchfork described it as a project which "[exploring] themes of family, home, and the immigrant experience in his adopted city."[13][14] The EP was featured on Exclaim!'s "Best EP's of 2020", CBC’s All in a Day, and HotNewHipHop.[15]
In September 2020, he released the music video for "Don't Be Scared."[16] Following the release, American Songwriter Magazine described the visuals as "piercing, personal, intriguing and entrancing."[17]
Discography
editAlbums
- Diobu (2020) - EP
- OT Riddim (2020) - EP
- This That Mo (2018) - Mixtape
Singles
- “Yahweh”[18] (2020)
- “Wide Awake” (2020)
- “Northside” (2019)
Filmography
edit- Don't Be Scared
References
edit- ^ "SAW Gallery announces winners of the SAW Prize for New Works". apt613 ca.
- ^ "Spotlight on Marvest: Morris Ogbowu". Spotlight Ottawa.
- ^ "The Emerging Artist Award". Ottawa Art Council.
- ^ Wavvy, Mr (2021-10-06). "Asuquomo wants to put Ottawa on the map". Cult MTL. Retrieved 2022-05-29.
- ^ a b "ARTIST OF THE MONTH // JULY – NIGERIAN-CANADIAN SINGER-SONGWRITER, ASUQUOMO". Shifter Magazine.
- ^ "POP Montreal festival showcases a diverse repertoire from a safe distance". The McGill Tribune. 2021-10-05. Retrieved 2022-05-29.
- ^ "Ottawa's hip-hop community has blossomed. But media coverage hasn't followed". Ottawa Citizen.
- ^ "Bourne: The top Black Ottawa artists and creators you should know". Ottawa Citizen.
- ^ "Exclaim!'s 25 Best EPs of 2020 | Exclaim!". exclaim.ca. Retrieved 2022-05-29.
- ^ "Shad, Haviah Mighty, Basia Bulat, Patrick Watson to Perform at RBC Ottawa Bluesfest Drive-In Concert Series". Exclaim Ca.
- ^ "ALBUM REVIEW – MORRIS OGBOWU PLAYS NO GAMES ON THIS THAT MO". Shifter Magazine.
- ^ "Asuquomo releases his new EP Diobu". cbc ca.
- ^ "Great Records You May Have Missed: Summer 2020". Pitchfork.
- ^ "Great Records You May Have Missed: Summer 2020". Pitchfork. 2020-10-01. Retrieved 2022-05-29.
- ^ "Nigerian-Canadian Artist Asuquomo Brings "O.T. Riddim" On Afrofusion Mixtape". Hot New Hiphop.
- ^ "Ottawa's Asuquomo Braves the Darkness In His "Don't Be Scared" Video". Exclaim Ca.
- ^ "Five to Discover: Acts You Need To Know". American Songwriter. 2020-11-02. Retrieved 2022-05-29.
- ^ "Neil Young, Tkay Maidza, 1010 Benja SL, More: This Week's Pitchfork Selects Playlist". Pitchfork.