Introducing Nicky Lawrence - A forward thinking innovator, singer, songwriter, actor, playwright and director who releases her debut album on October 18 to coincide with Black History Month. ‘Ugly Black Woman’ (pre-save here) - a powerful, moving collection of songs and poems is also the soundtrack to Nicky’s critically acclaimed production of the same name, which was performed to sold out audiences at Toronto’s Paradise Theatre in 2022.

On August 23 Nicky released the second single from the album, ‘Middle.’ From the moment it kicks in you know it’s gonna be a banger, the groove sets the pace for a ride of endless sonic pleasure while Nicky tries to decide what she will do about yet another gaslighting lover.

“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.”

Across the album’s 18 tracks (9 full length songs and 9 poems/monologues) Nicky tells her story, and that of numerous other Black women throughout Canadian history. It’s a deep, vulnerable, nuanced expression of the lived experiences which she has survived. From sweeping success to heart breaking lows, her passion into the exploration of what Black women go through in love and life is on full, brilliant display. For over a decade ‘Ugly Black Woman’ was carefully crafted and patiently curated. As each year unfolded new experiences would add to the layers of what UBW would finally become. Not so much a process as an alchemy of sorts, Nicky dutifully pays homage to the suffering and anguish of the sisters who came before her. Knowing all that they had sacrificed so she could stand on her own and create her art, Nicky’s evolution became a dedication to the incomparable Black women who in the end provided the very life force of this record.

Nicky Lawrence is a vibrant creator and thinker. She recently made her directorial debut on screen with the film release of My Name Is Jackie, an endearing tribute to Toronto R&B pioneer Jackie Shane. Uniquely positioned as a new perspective in the field of theatre, film, television and media, Nicky’s joy of telling stories while connecting people continues to inspire. Having toured the country with Canada’s celebrated legacy artist Amanda Marshall as her long time backing vocalist, she has also been featured in several special performances; Canada’s Walk of Fame CTV (Salome Bey star tribute) the University of Toronto's Black History Month programming (Hart House) Toronto History Museums (Spadina House, Mary Pipkins) Nicky’s acting career has included roles in TV (Schitt’s Creek, Anne with an E, and Workin’ Moms), and theatre (The Shaw Festival, Neptune Theatre, YPT, Rainbow Stage and Drayton) In 2017, Nicky was commissioned by Regina’s Globe Theatre to write and produce Key Change - a resounding artistic and commercial success.

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, but until then at least we have the soundtrack. Not only powerful and inspiring, it’s overflowing with tunes with the songs and poems meanings becoming even more moving the more you delve into these women’s histories. 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.”