Ugly Black Woman is the debut album from Canadian artist, actor, playwright, director and general all-round talent – Nicky Lawrence. Coming out now on 18th October to coincide with Black History Month, it is the soundtrack of her play with the same name, which was in production in Canada in 2022. Now Nicky’s got her eyes set on bringing it over to the UK alongside this album.
She’s made a great record blending soul, RNB and pop, with an important story to tell. Across the album’s 18 tracks (9 full length songs and 9 poems/monologues) Nicky draws from the pain endured, not only through her experiences, but also of those who have come before her. It’s a deep, vulnerable, nuanced expression of experiences she has gone through and overcome.

“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.”
“There have been so many life events that have happened alongside this album which have been tragic, humiliating, joyful, painful, laughable and solidifying. I’m ready to release that energy out into the world and tell my story, hopefully the people are ready to feel those intense emotions with me.”

“I think as a culture, we underestimate how much patience and fortitude was needed to deal with the most unspeakable violence perpetrated upon those who came before us. Their hearts and minds must have had the vision of a future where brothers and sisters were free to succeed,” says Nicky. “My hope is that Black History Month will not only shine a light on the story of these remarkable women, but it will also bring gravitas to the joy we feel in the celebration of being beautiful black people.”
“To the countless black women who have suffered the deepest lacerations the human mind could inflict. You are my life force, thank you.”