Nigerian-born, Canadian-based artist Nonso Amadi continues to redefine Afro-R&B with bold new projects, cultural storytelling, and community-driven work. His new EP To Cry A Flood, CBC debut on Locals Welcome, and his Hills Foundation charity reveal a multifaceted artist shaping music and culture across continents.
When you sit down with Nonso Amadi, you immediately feel the weight of someone who is both grounded in tradition and constantly pushing musical boundaries. Born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, and now based in Canada, the JUNO-nominated artist has been praised by Billboard, Complex, and MTV as a vanguard of Afro-R&B. With more than 100 million streams to his name, Amadi is embarking on an exciting new chapter in his career—one that seamlessly weaves together music, culture, and community impact.
This fall, Amadi is everywhere. His latest single, Pillow, climbed into Nigeria’s Top 20 radio charts, while his follow-up track, Dive In, leans heavily into Afrobeat percussion and West African instrumentation, showing off his versatility as both a songwriter and producer. He is also set to release his new EP, To Cry A Flood, on November 14 through Universal Music Canada, Def Jam in the U.S., and Mavin Records in Africa.
At the same time, Amadi is introducing audiences to another side of his artistry: food and cultural storytelling. He makes a special guest appearance in the premiere episode of CBC’s Locals Welcome (airing October 5), a new national TV series exploring how food connects immigrant communities across Canada. In the episode, Amadi delves into Nigerian cuisine in Toronto and shares why Jollof Rice is essential to his creative process.
A sound born of two worlds
Amadi’s journey began in Lagos, surrounded by fast-paced, percussive Nigerian sounds, while his sisters introduced him to the R&B playing on MTV and Channel O. That mix of influences shaped the unique sound he calls Afro-R&B—a style that feels both familiar and boundary-pushing.
“I like to think of myself as an explorer, a student of music,” he shared. “Even when I make R&B, it’s not purely R&B. There are always traces of Nigeria in it.”
His breakout single, "Tonight," was written during a school holiday in Nigeria and inspired by a scene from a Nollywood movie. Years later, Billboard named it one of the Top 50 Afrobeat Songs of All Time. For Amadi, that recognition confirmed that simplicity, honesty, and cultural resonance can travel far.
To Cry A Flood: A darker reflection
While his 2023 album, When It Blooms, explored growth and positivity, his new project delves into deeper territory.
“To Cry A Flood is about the darker side of my experiences in life and music,” he explained. “I wanted to create an alternate world, inspired by artists like The Weeknd, that feels different and fresh.”
Musically, the EP also serves as a strategic reconnection with his Nigerian audience. By blending heavy Afrobeat percussion with R&B melodies, he bridges his Canadian base with his Lagos roots, keeping both audiences invested in his journey.
Food, home, and cultural representation
For Amadi, food is inextricably linked to music. His love for Jollof Rice is more than personal—it’s creative fuel.
“Once I have that first bite, I just become a kid again,” he said. “I can’t imagine making Nigerian music without eating Nigerian food.”
That passion made his participation in Locals Welcome a natural fit. By sharing Nigerian cuisine with Canadian audiences, Amadi sees himself as a cultural ambassador. “Platforms like this help bridge the gap. They give Canadians a window into our world, and for Nigerians here, it helps them feel seen and celebrated.”
Giving back: Hills Foundation
Beyond music and culture, Amadi is determined to make a tangible difference. His Hills Foundation channels proceeds from his work into community events and support for underprivileged families in Nigeria and Black communities in Canada. Recent events, such as Grill for the Hills, combined food, music, and fundraising, embodying his belief that music should be a tool for impact.
“As much as I’m an artist, I’m human first,” he said. “If my music can help people live better lives, that’s the legacy I want to leave.”
The future of Afro-R&B
Amadi views Afro-R&B as part of a broader global trend in which genres are blending into new forms. “Music is merging in ways we haven’t seen in decades. Afro hip hop, Afro rock, Afro R&B—it’s only going to keep expanding. In the end, it will come down to the quality of the music.”
Beyond the music: A vision for connection
Nonso Amadi is more than an emerging star. He is an artist intentionally carving out space for Afro-R&B while carrying the weight of cultural representation on his shoulders. His ability to move seamlessly between Toronto and Lagos, between R&B and Afrobeat, and between the stage and the community demonstrates that music can be both deeply personal and profoundly global.
With "To Cry A Flood" on the horizon, his role in CBC’s "Locals Welcome," and his ongoing work with the Hills Foundation, Amadi is setting an example of what it means to build a career rooted in artistry, identity, and responsibility. His story reflects a growing movement among diasporic artists who are not only shaping sound but also shaping cultural understanding. In bridging Nigeria and Canada through music, food, and philanthropy, Nonso Amadi continues to embody what it means to create art that matters.
