To celebrate Woman’s History Month, we are delighted that the talented multi-hyphenate Nicky Lawrence has curated an outstanding playlist for us ahead of her upcoming acoustic single ‘Savage’ due on 28th March.
Last year, the Canadian singer, songwriter, actor and playwright released her debut album Ugly Black Woman via Gypsy Soul Records -a powerful, moving collection of songs and poems and also the soundtrack to her critically acclaimed production of the same name, which was performed to sold out audiences at Toronto’s Paradise Theatre in 2022.’ – Stream album here .
“Ugly Black Woman is a window into my soul,” says Nicky. “As black women we are consistently accused of being angry yet UBW is a beautiful cacophony of sorts conjured up through the dissonance I feel with such a powerful stereotype. It is the depths of my emotional degradation, pain, sorrow, fears and joy. It’s also a way for me to share so closely and relate with other black women, the suffering and the commonalities of hurt which we share without even necessarily knowing each other personally. This album has become a way of relating to all women no matter race or class.”
With her eyes now set firmly on the UK, she is currently in talks to bring the stage show of Ugly Black Woman across the pond. UK audiences can keep their fingers crossed they’ll get to experience this work in its full form as it’s meant to be. These are women Nicky will not let history forget, as Nicky concludes in the epilogue “To the countless black women who have suffered the deepest lacerations the human mind could inflict. You are my life force, thank you.”
.We were honoured when Nicky curated this outstanding playlist for us for Women’s History Month enhancing each song with her poetic insights and reflections:
.Sade – Is It a Crime
“I can’t tell you how many times as a woman, specifically as a black woman, I have sung this song to my own soul, wondering why I want someone back who couldn’t see that my love was as wide as a Victoria Lane. Sade is an entire generation of love songs on their own.“
Naomi Sharon – Regardless
“When I found Naomi, I was in transfer by how deeply I felt she was speaking to me and me alone. ‘Regardless’ is one of those songs about where you’re trying so hard to love someone who can’t even love themselves. Instead of walking away to protect yourself, you stay and try to reveal the good you see in them to themselves. In the end, it tears your apart. Naomi is so gifted. I can’t wait to see where the future takes her.”
Cleo Sol – Know That You Are Loved
“I first heard Cleo’s voice as a part of SAULT and immediately I knew I wanted to hear more, so I did the deep dive and found her. I mean, the absolute vulnerability of each and everyone of her songs is such a comfort. Surely she does not need my help however, she’s on the list because the world needs this kind of empathy and pure art that comes from a place of honing your craft meticulously for years and then – finally like a rose through concrete she broke through.“
Jorja Smith – Greatest Gift feat. Lila Iké
“The lushness of this track, mixing neo soul with traditional reggae, soothes me to the point of ecstasy. I’ve listened to it so many times that you’d think my love for it would diminish, however that will never be the case. In this song the sweetness and relaxation in Jorja’s voice reminds me of a lullaby you might sing to a child. She deserves the attention of the globe to no end. “
Dominique Fils-Aimé – Constructive Interference
“Dominique is a fellow Canadian artist who is deeply thoughtful and innovative with her sound. This track in particular allows the listener to sort of fall in love with her ex expensive lyrical sound. I really love that. She experiments in both French and English, and with sounds that most of us would be afraid to put on a record. Do yourself a favour and sit down with some headphones on and listen to all that she has created because it’s really great.“
Aphrose- Good Love
“Aphrose and I have known each other from the scene for a long time. Her music is always right on time, filled with exactly what you need to pop your head back-and-forth on a rainy day or a night on the town. ‘Good Love’ is a bop that makes you wish it was a summer night and that you were chilling on Toronto Islands with friends, reminiscing about the past. It’s about time. She finally has been recognized by music organizations in Canada.”
Amaria – Lose Control
“Amaria reminds me of the kind of artist that Prince would’ve wanted to work with. The tracks are smooth and just make you want to melt into yourself. It reminds me of 90s Nethersole mixed with whatever’s next for R&B. This is a young woman who is well on her way to becoming one of the new pillars of chill R&B. If you find yourself in love, you’ll want to bring her up on iTunes or Spotify and just enjoy the smooth rhythms and the soft, sweet sound.“
Ogi – Bitter
“I’ve been following Ogi for a while now, and she never ceases to amaze me with the kinds of different genres that she’s mixing together. ‘Bitter’ is that kind of tune that has you making a stank face but at the same time feeling her problem so deeply, you can’t help but start the song over again. She’s really reminiscent of early Lauryn Hill where she’s singing, but she’s also rhyming at the same time. Give her a listen and don’t sleep on it.“
Kelela – Missed Call
“What I love about Kelela is that you cannot put this woman in a box! She will give you a record that sounds like a classical opus and then she’ll come out and drop a drum and bass beat right in the middle of it. I love ‘Missed Call’ because it’s like you’re in the club, but you don’t have to thrash about. It’s a soothing kind of melody, but you’re still bopping your head to the rhythm while experiencing the fast-paced beat that calls us all to move our bodies. She’s definitely one to watch!“
Nnavy – So Much
“This track pulls at my heart because I asked myself this question nearly every day – “why do I care so much?” When I first heard this, I thought to myself – “does this woman have access to my brain?” The questions she’s asking in this tune as women we’ve asked ourselves a million times and it’s never enough for the wrong person. When she says “you make me feel like I’m not good enough”, the residence within my soul is hard to articulate, as I know exactly what she means. Nnavy is so good at creating music where black women can find softness and calm and relatability on a level so few will ever understand. Her writing, her lyrics, her sound is transcendent for me and I hope that the world will listen to her so they can feel the same way soon.“
Nicky Lawrence is back with an acoustic version of her acclaimed single ‘Savage’ on 28th March.
Find Nicky here : INSTAGRAM
For more details see : Home – TheNickyLawrence
