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.
Early life and education
Asuquomo 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.
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]