Oompa Explained

Oompa
Birth Name:Lakiyra Williams
Birth Date:24 January 1995
Birth Place:Roxbury, MA
Years Active:2016–present
Past Member Of:HipStory

Lakiyra Williams, known professionally as Oompa, is a rapper, poet, and vocalist from Roxbury, Massachusetts.[1]

Early life

Childhood

Oompa was put into foster care at six weeks old.[2] She grew up in Academy Homes, a low-income housing development near Jackson Square. When she was 5, she and her two biological sisters were adopted.

Oompa started rapping in middle school, competing in battle rap in the cafeteria for lunch money. As a kid, she played basketball at Washington Park in Roxbury, where she was given the nickname, "Oompa Loompa" because she was short and speedy. This inspired her stage name.[3] [4]

In high school, Oompa's sister, Nicky, died from lupus.

Education

Oompa attended Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA, on a full ride scholarship. She performed rap and poetry at open mics on campus and taught herself how to professionally record music in her college's computer lab.

In 2009, when she was a freshman in college, Oompa's mom died, which she described in 2019 as "the hardest thing in my life, thus far." Her debut album "November 3rd" was named for the day her mom died, and features the track, "Dear Mama" in dedication. After her mother's death, Oompa took a leave of absence from school to care for her younger sister while she was still a minor. They struggled with food insecurity and homelessness.[5] [6] Oompa returned to Bucknell later on, changed her major from mathematics, and earned an undergraduate degree in English and Education.

Poetry career

In 2016, Oompa won a spot on the Boston House Slam team. The team qualified for finals at the National Poetry Slam. She also coached a team of youth poets for Louder than a Bomb Massachusetts, who placed 5th in the state. In 2017, Oompa won the Women of the World Poetry Slam in Dallas, Texas.[7]

She has stated about her experience doing slam poetry, "A lot of slam was competition over who has the most important oppression and how awful things are. The truth is suffering is part of the human condition. We all hurt. It's not a competition."

Music career

In 2022, Oompa performed at Boston Calling Music Festival, was accepted into The Recording Academy,[8] and was one of 12 artists selected to be a part of Pepsi Music Lab Academy class of 22–23'.[9] [10] [11] In 2023, Oompa performed at the Boston Celtics half-time performance at TD Garden, and at Massachusetts Governor Maura Healy's inauguration.[12] [13] In August 2023, Oompa's song, "Outta Patience", was featured in a Beats commercial starring Alessia Russo for the Women's World Cup.[14]

Oompa has won four Boston Music Awards.[15] [16] [17] She has performed with Jill Scott,[18] 2-Chainz,[19] Marc Rebillet,[20] Palehound,[21] and Brandi Carlile.

Influences

Oompa has cited Jay-Z, Lauryn Hill, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, James Brown, Gospel music, and Black music across genres as her influences.

Critical acclaim

In 2016, Oompa joined HipStory (founded by Cliff Notez and Tim Hall), a Boston collective and multimedia production company that worked with her to record and release her first album, "November 3rd". A review from Sound of Boston called Oompa's rhymes "deadly" and referred to the project as "a deeply confessional collection of songs over smooth soul beats".[22] The album was listed as one of Allston Pudding's favorite albums of the year and DigBoston's Top 30 Local Albums of the year in 2016.[23] [24]

In 2019, Oompa released the album, "Cleo", named for Queen Latifah's character in Set It Off.[25] WBUR commented, that the songs on "Cleo" "all benefit from Oompa's keen sense of melody, her knack for grabbing the ear with a certain phrase or rhythm and telling it something funny and incisive and memorable".[26] Telegram called the album captivating and viscerally inspiring.[27] Allston Pudding attended the album release and called the performance of "Cleo" "powerful from beginning to end".[28] With "Cleo", Oompa landed on NPR's Slingshot Artist to Watch list.[29]

In 2021, Oompa released the album, "Unbothered".[30] The Harvard Crimson characterized the album as, "personal, unapologetic, inspirational, and incredibly deserving of all the glowing receptions it will receive".[31] Vanyaland called the album, "a sacred space, the Boston's emcee commitment to herself — and her listeners — to cultivate a life worth living".[32] Galore Mag hailed Oompa as having "a cadence and energy akin to the legendary Missy Elliott and the poetic finesse of Noname".[33] The Three-Sixty Mag called "Unbothered", "an album brimming with gems".[34] Okayplayer named the project to their 15 New Hip-Hop & R&B Albums You Should Be Listening To list, and called the project, "an album riddled with self-reflective undertones and vibrant lyrics".[35]

Cultural impact

Oompa is on the leadership council at The Record Co., a nonprofit that provides affordable rehearsal and recording space for Boston-based music makers.[36] Oompa partnered with the Somerville Arts Council to create Black, Brown & Queer Fest.[37] The Gumbo has praised Oompa's music for uplifting women.[38]

According to Boston, in 2022, "she was one of 12 people and organizations awarded $500,000 in workforce development contracts as part of a program established by the city's Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture. She's using the funding to establish Outlaud Entertainment, an artists' collective and incubator that will mentor five emerging artists over the course of fifteen months."

Personal life

In 2023, Oompa reconnected with her birth father, who was a popular R & B singer in the '90s.

Awards

Discography

Albums!Title!Year!Source
Unbothered2021
Cleo2019
November 32016[44]
Singles!Title!Year!Source
"Think Too Much"2023[45]
"OUTTA PATIENCE"2021[46]
"LEBRON"2021[47]
"Go"2021[48]
"Closer"2020[49]
"By You"2019[50]
"Feel Like Cole"2019[51]
"Your Girl"2016[52]
Music videos!Title!Year!Source
"Think Too Much"2023[53]
"LEBRON"2021[54]
"Go"2021[55]
"Closer"2020[56]
"Feel Like Cole"2019
"I Deserve That"2018[57]

References

  1. Web site: Meet the local rapper set to perform at Boston Calling 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230702195244/https://www.boston.com/community/music-club/meet-rapper-oompa-to-perform-at-boston-calling/ . 2023-07-02 . 2023-01-25 . Boston.com . en-US.
  2. Web site: Giacobbe . Alyssa . 2023-05-25 . The Many Faces of Boston Rap Star Oompa . https://web.archive.org/web/20230713040216/https://www.bostonmagazine.com/arts-entertainment/2023/05/25/oompa-boston-rapper/ . 2023-07-13 . 2023-07-13 . Boston Magazine . en-US.
  3. Web site: 10 Questions: Oompa Performs at Celtics Halftime Ahead of New Single Release . https://web.archive.org/web/20230702195409/https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/10-questions-with-nbc10-boston/10-questions-oompa-performs-at-celtics-halftime-ahead-of-new-single-release/2950537/ . 2023-07-02 . 2023-01-25 . NBC Boston . en-US.
  4. Web site: On New Album, Oompa Defies The Tragic Story The World Wrote For Her . https://web.archive.org/web/20230702195531/https://www.wbur.org/news/2019/08/06/oompa-cleo-sophomore-album . 2023-07-02 . 2023-01-25 . WBUR . 6 August 2019 . en.
  5. Web site: Steinberg . Jared . 2018-08-23 . Album Review: November 3rd by Oompa . https://web.archive.org/web/20230702195801/https://soundofboston.com/album-review-november-3rd-by-oompa/ . 2023-07-02 . 2023-01-25 . Sound of Boston . en-US.
  6. Web site: CORCORAN . NINA . 27 April 2018 . OOMPA: THE POETIC JUSTICE OF ROXBURY'S MOST POSITIVE RAPPER . https://web.archive.org/web/20230702195645/https://digboston.com/oompa-the-poetic-justice-of-roxburys-most-positive-rapper/ . 2023-07-02 . 2023-01-26 . Dig Bos.
  7. Web site: Bruno . Jackie . Klein . Asher . 27 July 2019 . Rapper and Poet Oompa Represents Boston's Roxbury Her Way . https://web.archive.org/web/20230702195930/https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/rapper-poet-oompa-represents-roxbury/62995/ . 2023-07-02 . 2023-01-25 . NBC Boston . en-US.
  8. Web site: KENNEDY . DAKOTAH . 2023-04-06 . "I'm Not On That Grammys Stage Yet, But It Feels One Step Closer" . 2023-07-14 . Dig Bos.
  9. Lee . Cydney . 2022-10-20 . Pepsi Unveils Pepsi Music Lab, a Platform to Help Aspiring Artists Grow Their Careers . Billboard . en-US . https://web.archive.org/web/20230702200045/https://www.billboard.com/pro/pepsi-boost-aspiring-music-artists-newplatform/ . 2023-07-02 . 2023-02-21.
  10. Web site: Corrine . Amber . 2022-10-20 . Pepsi Announces Music Lab Bootcamp For Next-Gen Music Artists . https://web.archive.org/web/20230702200238/https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/pepsi-music-lab-announces-class-1234703952/ . 2023-07-02 . 2023-02-21 . VIBE . en-US.
  11. Web site: 2022-10-20 . Boston Thriving: Oompa joins Pepsi's Music Lab Class of '22–'23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230702200408/https://vanyaland.com/2022/10/20/boston-thriving-oompa-joins-pepsis-music-lab-class-of-22-23/ . 2023-07-02 . 2023-02-21 . Vanyaland . en-US.
  12. Web site: 2023-01-03 . Brandi Carlile, Oompa, and others to perform at Maura Healey inauguration . https://web.archive.org/web/20230703011411/https://vanyaland.com/2023/01/03/brandi-carlile-oompa-and-others-to-perform-at-maura-healey-inauguration/ . 2023-07-03 . 2023-01-25 . Vanyaland . en-US.
  13. Web site: 2023-01-06 . Healey, Driscoll celebrate their historic firsts with basketball-themed 'Garden party' . https://web.archive.org/web/20230703011708/https://www.wgbh.org/news/politics/2023/01/05/healey-driscoll-celebrate-their-historic-firsts-with-basketball-themed-garden-party . 2023-07-03 . 2023-01-25 . News . en.
  14. Web site: 2023-08-04 . Beats by Dre gamifies England star Alessia Russo's journey to the World Cup . 2023-08-05 . Ad Age . en.
  15. Web site: Boston Music Awards 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230703011938/https://bostonmusicawards.com/bma/boston-music-awards-2019/ . 2023-07-03 . 2023-01-26 . Boston Music Awards . en-US.
  16. Web site: Hip-hop sweeps the major categories at the 2022 Boston Music Awards . https://web.archive.org/web/20230702201735/https://www.wbur.org/news/2022/12/15/2022-boston-music-awards . 2023-07-02 . 2023-01-25 . WBUR . 15 December 2022 . en.
  17. Web site: Boston Music Awards 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230702201220/https://bostonmusicawards.com/bma/boston-music-awards-2018/ . 2023-07-02 . 2023-01-25 . Boston Music Awards . en-US.
  18. Web site: At the Gardner Museum, Jill Scott, Paloma Valenzuela, and Oompa Discuss Artistic Integrity . https://web.archive.org/web/20230703013316/https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2019/10/8/artistic-integrity-isg/ . 2023-07-03 . 2023-01-26 . The Harvard Crimson.
  19. Web site: Corley . Michael . Grammy winning rapper 2 Chainz to perform at Salem State University . https://web.archive.org/web/20230703013516/https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/chronicle-transcript/2022/04/14/grammy-winning-rapper-2-chainz-perform-salem-state-university/7282621001/ . 2023-07-03 . 2023-02-11 . Wicked Local . en-US.
  20. Web site: 2021-09-07 . Watch Oompa freestyle with Marc Rebillet at Royale in Boston . https://web.archive.org/web/20230703034805/https://vanyaland.com/2021/09/07/watch-oompa-freestyle-with-marc-rebillet-at-royale-in-boston/ . 2023-07-03 . 2023-01-26 . Vanyaland . en-US.
  21. Web site: 21 March 2018 . Palehound + Oompa + Melissa Lozada-Olivia + Dazey and the Scouts . https://web.archive.org/web/20230703034653/https://www.oshoots.com/blog-2/2018/3/21/palehound-oompa-melissa-lozada-olivia-dazey-and-the-scouts . 2023-07-03 . 2023-01-26 . Omari Spears . en-US.
  22. Web site: Steinberg . Jared . 2018-08-23 . Album Review: November 3rd by Oompa . https://web.archive.org/web/20230703034929/https://soundofboston.com/album-review-november-3rd-by-oompa/ . 2023-07-03 . 2023-02-01 . Sound of Boston . en-US.
  23. Web site: CORCORAN . NINA . 27 December 2016 . 30 BEST LOCAL ALBUMS OF 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230702200748/https://digboston.com/30-best-local-albums-of-2016/ . 2023-07-02 . 2023-01-26 . Dig Bos.
  24. Web site: 2016-12-19 . Allston Pudding's Favorite Albums of 2016 [50–21] ]. https://web.archive.org/web/20230702200909/http://allstonpudding.com/allston-puddings-favorite-albums-2016-50-21/ . 2023-07-02 . 2023-01-26 . Allston Pudding.
  25. Web site: 2019-08-20 . With "CLEO," Oompa Pays Tribute to a Childhood Hero . https://web.archive.org/web/20230703035056/https://daily.bandcamp.com/features/oompa-cleo-interview . 2023-07-03 . 2023-01-25 . Bandcamp Daily.
  26. Web site: On New Album, Oompa Defies The Tragic Story The World Wrote For Her . https://web.archive.org/web/20230703035157/https://www.wbur.org/news/2019/08/06/oompa-cleo-sophomore-album . 2023-07-03 . 2023-02-01 . WBUR . 6 August 2019 . en.
  27. Web site: Infante . Victor D. . Oompa steps up with captivating 'Cleo' . https://web.archive.org/web/20230704180952/https://www.telegram.com/story/entertainment/columns/2019/08/29/oompa-steps-up-with-captivating-cleo/4358084007/ . 2023-07-04 . 2023-02-01 . The Worcester Telegram & Gazette . en-US.
  28. Web site: Spears . Omari . 2019-08-14 . Oompa Celebrates New Album "Cleo" at The Sinclair . https://web.archive.org/web/20230704180830/http://allstonpudding.com/oompa-celebrates-new-album-cleo-at-the-sinclair/ . 2023-07-04 . 2023-02-01 . Allston Pudding.
  29. News: 2020 Slingshot Artists To Watch . NPR Music . https://web.archive.org/web/20230702201623/https://www.npr.org/2020/01/08/793450920/2020-slingshot-artists-to-watch . 2023-07-02.
  30. Web site: Infante . Victor D. . Listen Up: Oompa takes listeners on personal journey with 'Unbothered' . https://web.archive.org/web/20230704180029/https://www.worcestermag.com/story/entertainment/2021/10/06/listen-up-boston-rapper-oompa-takes-listeners-personal-journey-unbothered/5984319001/ . 2023-07-04 . 2023-01-26 . Worcester Magazine . en-US.
  31. Web site: Album Review: Oompa's "Unbothered" Builds a Legacy of Joy Arts The Harvard Crimson . https://web.archive.org/web/20230704180648/https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2021/10/26/unbothered-oompa-review/ . 2023-07-04 . 2023-02-01 . www.thecrimson.com.
  32. Web site: 2021-10-01 . Interview: Oompa's new album 'Unbothered' plays like a promise . https://web.archive.org/web/20230704180524/https://vanyaland.com/2021/10/01/interview-oompas-new-album-unbothered-plays-like-a-promise/ . 2023-07-04 . 2023-02-01 . Vanyaland . en-US.
  33. Web site: Barrott . Jenna . 2021-10-19 . Oompa's New Album "UNBOTHERED" Unfurls a Journey of Self Discovery – And You're Invited For The Ride . https://web.archive.org/web/20230704180409/https://galoremag.com/oompas-new-album-unbothered-unfurls-a-journey-of-self-discovery-and-youre-invited-for-the-ride/ . 2023-07-04 . 2023-02-01 . Galore . en.
  34. Web site: Hoang . Anh . 2021-10-05 . OOMPA – UNBOTHERED . https://web.archive.org/web/20230704180309/https://www.the360mag.com/oompa-unbothered/ . 2023-07-04 . 2023-02-01 . 360 MAGAZINE – GREEN ART MUSIC DESIGN . en-US.
  35. Web site: 2021-10-01 . 15 New Hip-Hop & R&B Albums You Should Be Listening To (Week of October 1) – Okayplayer . https://web.archive.org/web/20230704180158/https://www.okayplayer.com/music/best-new-albums-october-1.html,%20https://www.okayplayer.com/music/best-new-albums-october-1.html . 2023-07-04 . 2023-02-08 . www.okayplayer.com . en-US.
  36. Web site: 2020-12-01 . 'All We Need To Do Is Ask' — How The Record Co. Redefines What It Means To Serve A Community . https://web.archive.org/web/20230703032818/https://www.wgbh.org/arts-culture/2020/12/01/all-we-need-to-do-is-ask-how-the-record-co-redefines-what-it-means-to-serve-a-community . 2023-07-03 . 2023-01-26 . Org . en.
  37. Web site: 'Black, Brown & Queer Fest' in Union Square on August 24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230703032957/https://www.somervillema.gov/news/%25E2%2580%2598black-brown-queer-fest%25E2%2580%2599-union-square-august-24 . 2023-07-03 . 2023-01-28 . City of Somerville.
  38. Web site: 15 October 2018 . Inherent Exclusion: On Loving Hip-Hop As A Black Queer Woman . https://web.archive.org/web/20230703033107/https://thegumbo.net/blog/2018/10/15/inherent-exclusion-on-loving-hip-hop-as-a-black-queer-woman . 2023-07-03 . 2023-01-26 . The Gumbo . en-US.
  39. Web site: 2022-06-30 . $500,000 Awarded in Workforce Development Contracts for Artists and Creative Workers . https://web.archive.org/web/20230702201959/https://www.boston.gov/news/500000-awarded-workforce-development-contracts-artists-and-creative-workers . 2023-07-02 . 2023-01-25 . Boston.gov . en.
  40. Web site: $117,856 for Local Cultural Council Grants to 31 Cambridge Projects . https://web.archive.org/web/20230702201845/https://www.cambridgema.gov/en/arts/News/2022/03/%24117,856forlocalculturalcouncilgrantsto31cambridgeprojects . 2023-07-02 . 2023-01-26 . City of Cambridge . en.
  41. Web site: Boston Music Awards 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230702201513/https://bostonmusicawards.com/bma/boston-music-awards-2019/ . 2023-07-02 . 2023-01-26 . Boston Music Awards . en-US.
  42. Web site: Twelve Greater Boston artists named Brother Thomas Fellows for 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230702201328/https://www.tbf.org/news-and-insights/press-releases/2019/october/2019-brother-thomas-announcement . 2023-07-02 . 2023-01-26 . The Boston Foundation.
  43. Web site: Iguana Music Fund . https://web.archive.org/web/20230702201057/https://www.passim.org/mission/iguana-music-fund/ . 2023-07-02 . 2023-01-26 . Passim . en-US.
  44. Web site: Gagnon . Tim . 2016-11-04 . PREMIERE: Oompa's "November 3rd" . https://web.archive.org/web/20230704175856/http://allstonpudding.com/premiere-oompas-november-3rd/ . 2023-07-04 . 2023-01-25 . Allston Pudding.
  45. Web site: 2023-02-03 . Oompa swears she won't 'think too much' anymore . https://web.archive.org/web/20230704175733/https://vanyaland.com/2023/02/03/oompa-swears-she-wont-think-too-much-anymore/ . 2023-07-04 . 2023-02-05 . Vanyaland . en-US.
  46. News: Monique . Keish . 2021-09-17 . PREMIERE – Oompa Is Running "OUTTA PATIENCE", But Kicks It With Us (Interview) » Hype Off Life . en-US . Hype Off Life . 2023-01-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230704175632/https://hypeofflife.com/blog/oompa-outta-patience . 2023-07-04.
  47. Web site: 2021-08-12 . PREMIERE: Oompa Celebrates "Feeling Like a Bad Bitch" With "Lebron" . https://web.archive.org/web/20230704175506/https://www.audiofemme.com/premiere-oompa-lebron/ . 2023-07-04 . 2023-01-26 . Audiofemme . en-US.
  48. Web site: 2021-07-09 . Oompa zips through sticky-sweet R&B with Dan DeCristofaro on 'Go' . https://web.archive.org/web/20230704175356/https://vanyaland.com/2021/07/09/oompa-zips-through-sticky-sweet-rb-with-dan-decristofaro-on-go/ . 2023-07-04 . 2023-01-26 . Vanyaland . en-US.
  49. Web site: 2020-11-09 . Oompa summons cleansing relief with new single 'Closer' . https://web.archive.org/web/20230704175231/https://vanyaland.com/2017/11/07/photo-gallery-dresden-dolls-live-paradise-rock-club-in-boston/embed/ . 2023-07-04 . 2023-01-26 . Vanyaland . en-US.
  50. Web site: Listen To Oompa Go To Therapy On Her New Track, 'By You' . https://web.archive.org/web/20230703031810/https://www.wbur.org/news/2019/07/24/oompa-cleo-premiere . 2023-07-03 . 2023-01-26 . WBUR . 4 November 2019 . en.
  51. Web site: Infante . Victor D. . Oompa delivers layered, defiant 'Feel Like Cole' . https://web.archive.org/web/20230702214809/https://www.telegram.com/story/entertainment/columns/2019/07/20/song-to-get-you-through-week-oompa-delivers-layered-defiant-feel-like-cole/4614366007/ . 2023-07-02 . 2023-02-01 . The Worcester Telegram & Gazette . en-US.
  52. Web site: Infante . Victor D. . Boston's Oompa puts spin on R&B with 'Your Girl' . https://web.archive.org/web/20230702234939/https://www.telegram.com/story/entertainment/2016/11/19/bostons-oompa-puts-spin-on-rampb-with-your-girl/24511034007/ . 2023-07-02 . 2023-02-01 . The Worcester Telegram & Gazette . en-US.
  53. Web site: 2023-02-04 . Oompa Opens Up on "Think Too Much" . https://web.archive.org/web/20230702215519/https://miixtapechiick.com/oompa-opens-up-on-think-too-much/ . 2023-07-02 . 2023-02-05 . en-US.
  54. Web site: 2021-08-12 . PREMIERE: Oompa Celebrates "Feeling Like a Bad Bitch" With "Lebron" . https://web.archive.org/web/20230702215413/https://www.audiofemme.com/premiere-oompa-lebron/ . 2023-07-02 . 2023-02-01 . Audiofemme . en-US.
  55. Web site: 16 July 2021 . Oompa – 'GO' ft. Dan DeCristofaro (OMV) . https://web.archive.org/web/20230702215304/https://www.wearesensei.com/music/7/16/21/oompa-go-ft-dan-decristofaro . 2023-07-02 . 2023-01-26 . Sensei . en-US.
  56. Web site: 2020-11-09 . Oompa summons cleansing relief with new single 'Closer' . https://web.archive.org/web/20230702214958/https://vanyaland.com/2020/11/09/oompa-summons-cleansing-relief-with-new-single-closer/ . 2023-07-02 . 2023-02-01 . Vanyaland . en-US.
  57. Web site: 2018-07-02 . Oompa teaches the value of taking up space in 'I Deserve That' . https://web.archive.org/web/20230702214656/https://vanyaland.com/2018/07/02/oompa-teaches-the-value-of-taking-up-space-in-i-deserve-that/ . 2023-07-02 . 2023-02-01 . Vanyaland . en-US.