In a powerful reflection of resilience and creativity, Nicky Lawrence shares her long-awaited project, Ugly Black Woman, marking a significant contribution to Black History Month. This album, ten years in the making, intertwines personal experiences with the collective narratives of Black women, celebrating their strength and the rich tapestry of their stories. Lawrence aims to elevate these voices through an eclectic blend of song and spoken word, forging a connection between her Canadian roots and the historical significance of Black excellence in the UK
Tell us a little bit about your new project Ugly Black Woman and why you’re releasing it for UK Black History Month?
Ugly Black Woman is a project that’s 10 years in the making for me. There have been amazing highs and treacherous lows, yet it is a project that has been born out of the varied experiences, filled with love, emotion, and denigration that have happened to me as I’ve lived fully. As an artist, I have strived to create a poetic landscape of song and spoken word which serves the very women who walked before me and created a path to where I am today. UBW is an eclectic musical celebration of the fortitude It takes to be a black woman in this world. From the sweeping story of Us to the title track Ugly Black Woman I’ve poured the soul of not only myself but unheard voices of the past whose time has come to be heard. I decided to release it for UK Black History Month because of the connection between our countries. Canada was a British colony and that closeness derives similarities in our history. As I’ve studied the history of Canada, the realization that our anti-enslavement laws were born from the abolitionists who fought diligently in UK parliament to end the slave trade is not lost on me. I believe that these women’s stories and my own deserve to be heard by all. I’m starting with the UK in hopes that they will embrace me and see the value of our Canadian stories.
Why is Black History Month important?
I think it’s important to celebrate how far we’ve come, despite the many many ways in which we were trampled down as a people and culture. It’s a shining example of the endurance of the human spirit; can you imagine after all that was done to us still we created the current culture celebrated and heralded today around the world.
Ugly Black Woman highlights the courage, resilience, and achievements of Black women whose stories were largely overlooked. How do you hope this project reshapes the narrative of Black excellence and empowerment in today’s society?
I hope this project becomes a part of the narrative as I am so honoured to be a Black woman. I really don’t think anything needs to be reshaped, as the shape of who we are as the people and her unstoppable resilience has been clear from jump; I believe that those who do not understand the narrative must take the time to see what they have not seen before. Black excellence and empowerment have been part of our DNA, look at what we have been through to get to where we are today, if that’s not excellence I don’t know what is. The stories I highlight are those of women who stood strong and left an indelible mark even though they were being assaulted, used, abused, thrown away, commodified, and villainized. So when we say Black excellence and empowerment, this is where we should start because they knew there would come a time when their sacrifices would no longer be overlooked. That time is now.
What was the research process like this project and in telling the stories of black women who’ve gone before you, was there a particular moment or story you discovered that deeply resonated with you more than others?
When I first started, the research was exciting; however, I quickly realized that we are kept in the dark about the realities of how Black women have been treated since the inception and creation of global enslavement. I’ve read some catastrophic stories about the treatment of women who look exactly like me, it’s debilitating to say the least. One story which became the catalyst for all other stories and that stuck with me is of Chloe Cooley. Chloe was a young Black woman who lived and “worked” in Queenston Niagara. By all accounts, she was excited and had plans for the future, which of course were unceremoniously and violently stolen from her. When I read what happened to her it’s something that will stay with me until my last breath. I just can’t imagine why such violence against Black women was ever necessary.
Writing about real-life trauma, your own and that of the women you chose to champion, must have been emotionally intense. How did you prepare for these moments, and what impact did they have on you personally?
The irony here is that I am an intensely private person. I’ve had to grapple with the fact that I made such an emotionally open record while at the same time living my actual life. It’s a timeline that I will be able to look at and know exactly what was going on in the moment when I wrote and created each song. I can’t say that I prepared for the moment because I was just living. What I can speak to is how grateful I feel to be able to express how those moments affected me. As a human, I have been able to use my gift as a funnel for my frustrations and deepest emotions. Despite some of the worst moments of my life happening while I was creating this record, the personal impact of these Black women’s stories allowed me to have the greatest perspective and that I will be eternally thankful. Without these women’s stories, I don’t know that I would’ve been able to survive through some of the tragic events that unfolded in my personal life. The absolute beauty in this situation is that every time I thought I couldn’t, one of them would whisper to me softly “yes sis you absolutely can”.
Black History Month encourages us to look at both the past and the future. How do you hope your work will inspire the next generation of Black storytellers and leaders? What message about resilience and representation do you hope to convey?
Honestly, I hope it inspires them just to do the work to tell our stories. I pray that those who wish to become leaders dive deeply into the reason they are able to stand tall and speak their opinion as a Black person without repercussions. I can unequivocally say that these women gave me purpose and that I hope the future generation sees purpose in my work. I looked into the past and saw my future. I hope it will inspire the next generation of Black storytellers to see their lives are a direct connection to the resilience that lives in our DNA. We are alive because of that resilience which is so powerful and can be used to yield great justice in the world. We are representing those who sacrificed and lost everything so that our voices could be heard presently. In order to survive a harsh and brutal world one must look to those who came before them to see the clues left for us to follow. Do your research, know our stories and then go out into the world and remind them of who we actually are.
As Black History Month is celebrated in the UK, is there a particular figure in UK Black history who has inspired you?
I have been patiently waiting to express my adoration for this person since I discovered their stunning work; Sophie Okonedo. I have marveled at the level of talent this actor possesses. There is nothing I have watched her in that I do not absolutely love. As an actor, I look for the nuance in performance, I look for the hints of people I know and love or despise in the ability to play on screen as a seasoned actor. My goodness does Ms.Okonedo possess the depth and strength of character when one is watching her perform. She transforms herself and I can’t wait to see what she shines in next!
What message do you have for the black community in the UK?
I want to say a heartfelt thank you for being the most creative and inspiring originators. I also genuinely hope that whether you discover this record now or 30 years from now you are inspired to do something in the service to other people in the Black community. Finally if you know a beautiful Black woman check in on her. Ask her how she’s doing , ask her if you can help her in any way because I guarantee you nobody’s asked her in a very long time. Now you may have to ask two or three times before she trusts you enough to say yes but keep asking if you can help because though she may not ever show you, she needs it.
Nicky Lawrence’s debut album Ugly Black Woman is out now Listen here: https://lnk.fuga.com/nickylawrence_uglyblackwoman