Chibundu Onuzo Addresses The Climate Crisis For Future Generations With ‘Mama’

Born and raised in Nigeria and residing in the UK since 2005, Chibundu Onuzo joins us to share all about her musical and writing journey and the release of her latest single, ‘Mama’.

Having already made a name for herself as an author, Chibundu has received praise from the likes of New York Times, The Guardian and BBC Radio 4.

After releasing her debut single, ‘Good Soil’ in 2021, Chibundu Onuzo won the Drake Yolanda Award for the 2021 year.

“Music has always been this part of me that I can never shake. It’s the bass line running through my life. I sing, I play the piano and I write my own songs.”

Chibundu Onuzo’s latest single Mama which dives deep into the current issues surrounding the climate crisis and addresses the concern held for future generations.

“I wrote Mama during the lockdown. I was reflecting on the state of the world and the direction humanity is heading in. I want a better world. I hope we can course-correct.”

The emotional piano and vocal based track reads like a beautiful musical letter and will have you hanging on and listening intently to every word sung.

Chibundu’s vocals are incredibly stunning and raw and mixed with the simple piano instrumentation are so effective to tell the story.

You can listen to ‘Mama’ below:

Tell us a little about your background

I was born in Lagos, Nigeria but moved to England when I was fourteen.

I’m the youngest of four children and probably the loudest.

You have to learn to speak up when you’re the smallest in the house. I spent most of my childhood reading books and then most of my adult years writing books.

What was it that first got you into music?

I come from a musical family and at most points in my life, I’ve either sung in a choir or been part of a band.

I started writing my own songs when I was a teenager and I’ve kept it up ever since.

How would you describe the feel of your music?

It’s hard for me.

It’s like someone asking to describe your face.

I write from an emotional place but I also like the structure and chord sequences of pop songs.

I write emotional, soulful popular music. 

As well as being an artist, you are also an author.. would you like to tell us a little about your writing?

I read a lot as a child and started writing novels from a very young age.

I didn’t plan to make a career out of writing but it’s something that progressed and I went with it.

My most recent novel is called SANKOFA, and it was a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick in October.

It also had a billboard in Time Square, which was very exciting.

You have released your new single, ‘Mama’.. tell us about what inspired you to create this single.

The lock down and all the news we were watching.

A lot of it was bad news and I wanted the world to be a better place.

What is your creative process like, when you are creating your music?

I sit at the piano and play chords until a chord sequence strikes me.

Usually the chorus will come first, often just a line. And then I build the whole song around it.

Where do you find your inspiration for music creation?

Things I observe in the world. Thoughts I have.

Things I’ve experienced but this last doesn’t happen too often.

A writer’s life can be pretty sedate.

How has Covid-19 affected your releasing journey?

I have nothing to compare it too.

I started releasing music in 2021 so I’ve only ever released my music in a pandemic.

If all the stars aligned, where would you ultimately like to get to with your music?

I want to release an album and I’d like at least one Grammy.

From your experience, what advice would you give to aspiring musicians?

I’m an aspiring musician so the advice I would give myself is don’t be daunted by how large the music industry is.

You have a place in it because you have something to say with your music.

So don’t give up.

Where can people go to find your music?

You can find my music on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube. Just search Chibundu Onuzo.