Gozie Ukaga

Gozie Ukaga is a Nigerian-American songwriter and producer based in the Twin Cities. He released his debut EP in 2019, titled Shade EP. Five years later, his full-length album, titled Color LP, arrived. Gozie describes his music as “reflective and somber,” and the track “Interstate Ninety Four” is a good example with its heavy reverb, minimal production, and introspective lyrics. “Interstate Ninety Four” also has a short film by the same name, directed by Gabriel Broderick, which was selected to participate in last year’s Sound Unseen Film + Music Festival, and Twin Cities Black Film Festival. - 89.3 The Current (Minnesota Public Radio)

For an artist present day, they have to have more than just skill. They need to have a quality to them that makes them stand out something special, whether it be their sound or their approach to the rhymes, there needs to be something that makes you want to listen to more. That can be approached in many different ways but for Gozie Ukaga he uses his commanding presence and slick lyrics to make fans of us on the new song “Jade Tints”.

Gozie Ukaga brings a song that is as cool as the title on the new song “Jade Tints”. He makes you buy in instantly with a charming bravado in his approach that makes you get invested in the flex of the record. Taking full advantage of the hard sound in the production that sets the ultimate engaging tone, he lets his lyrics come to life with ease, as you enjoy the craftsmanship in his pen that is unapologetic in it’s approach to make something must hear for the people to feel.

Gozie Ukaga’s “Jade Tints” is a must hear record from a must hear artist who you can expect something dope from with every release. Its a quick record that makes you hungry for more with his gone in 60 seconds approach, making for an exhilarating listen to keep the culture such a live place to be, with artist as talented as this stand out creative. - Global Money World

As y’all already know, I’m not ashamed of featuring songs/projects that are “dated” and sharing new discoveries that might be new to you, as well. That said, I think y’all will love Gozie Ukaga. The young Minneapolis brother is a talented singer with the vibe tailor-made for slow winter drives with the heat on max and your leather seat heater working its magic. Peep the single “Told You.” - 89.3 The Current (Minnesota Public Radio)

Gozie Ukaga, a versatile and revolutionary musician, has always released insightful music that will provide listeners with life-changing experiences. This Minneapolis-based musician has made it his goal to create music that his fans and listeners can interact with and enjoy.

He recently released “Grudge,” a somewhat minimalistic track with strong instrumentation that isn’t found in most records. The music is unique and dynamic, with certain rhythms arising and encasing you in an exceptional way. The soundscape here is initially dark and enigmatic, before breaking away to become hopeful and surprisingly melodic. There’s something about the single that both excites and relaxes you. The instrumentation’s simplistic and minimalistic soundscape, synth riffs, and fullness of the keys and bass-induced drum-line match well with the atmosphere set by the instrumentation. The melody-line has an atmospheric quality to it that is very entrancing, and it slowly surrounds you.

The vocal tone in “Grudge” is consistent from the outset and complements the artist’s faultless artistry superbly. The single’s subject matter clings to that personal reality, and it’s a well-produced and rightly assured piece of writing and quality. “Grudge” does a good job of reaching out to the whole audience. - African Hype

It’s very easy to find hip hop music that has the swagger with the perfect amount of vulnerability to it that engages you. Easy enough you can find it pretty much anywhere from anyone. The one thing that is not as easy to find is the right r&b song with swagger. It’s usually hit or miss with most of them being misses, but with Gozie Ukaga up to bat he knocks it out the park on his song “Told You”.

Gozie Ukaga’s style is the perfect fusion of hip hop and r&b on “Told You”. His swagger and cadence are very much hip hop but his melodic style and amazing voice, gives it so much soul that you can feel it with every word. Gozie shows great range with his pen all over this production, delivering his great lyrics over an ambient production that mesh well with his vocal approach.

Gozie Ukaga’s “Told You” is an amazing record that showcases his amazing talent. He shows the perfect bravado, charisma, and soul that sells not only the record but him as an artist. His talents are on full bloom for us to enjoy in every aspect of music that make this a must hear. - Global Money World

All of the Lights is our way of showcasing the top artist of the week. That artist who embodies musical excellence in either Hip Hop, Rock, EDM, Latin, or R&B. There were a lot of amazingly talented individuals, as well groups that were worthy of this honor, but we could only choose one. For the week of December 9th the artist selected is Gozie Ukaga!

Gozie Ukaga is a super dope artist out of Minneapolis-St. Paul who you need to hear now.. He made his debut on here with his song “Told You”. An exciting record, that embodies the new wave of music, as he showcases his amazing talent for the world to be fan of.

Congratulations to Gozie Ukaga being the All of the Lights Artist of the week!

Check out the original article on Gozie Ukaga on his song “Told You” and follow him on social media. - Global Money World

“I want to buy my first property by the time I am 25 years old,” Ukaga said. “I definitely have grown and learned a lot throughout my time at Edina Realty and would love to work there longer in a different capacity.”

REPM Program Director Fred Prassas knows Ukaga’s resolve and ingenuity will lead him to success.

“Gozie is a bright, ambitious individual that lets nothing stop him. If he encounters a hurdle, he finds a way over it. He’s always creating great new ideas,” Prassas said.

Making an impact through music
Many of Ukaga’s new ideas emerge through song. An active recording artist, Ukaga began writing songs at an early age. He started recording original music his senior year in high school.

He is inspired by his life experiences and people he knows. He shares his wisdom and doesn’t shy away from his inner thoughts.

“I think my main message is just the understanding that we’ll never have it all figured out and that the human experience is different from everyone’s perspective yet analogous at the same time,” Ukaga said.

Ukaga produces his music at his home studio under the eponymous label Gozie Ukaga LLC. “In the studio, I sift through sounds and chords until I feel a certain emotion,” he said. “My music is somewhat melancholy. It’s just an honest representation of my perspective as a human being.”

Ukaga’s debut album, SHADE EP, was released in November 2019. The album features some of his original songs, including “Intro,” a piano composition that exudes his melancholy – chords plinked out like light raindrops on a cloudy day.

SHADE EP also features Ukaga’s rap and hip-hop collaborations “Told You” and “Interlude.” But the song that means the most to him is “Eke’s Interlude,” which he produced with his sister, Ekeoma.

Conflicting instrumental and vocal rhythms represent a mixture of emotions as Ukaga seeks someone to confide in about the weight he feels. “It was just an honest portrayal of how I was feeling at the time,” he said.

Ukaga is mainly a studio artist but he has performed at open mic events around the Twin Cities. He would like to one day participate in Soundset, St. Paul’s hip-hop music festival.

“Sharing my music is a means to give the records a life of their own,” Ukaga added. “I think my music acts as a voice of understanding and relatability to my listeners. I want to help write songs for musicians that have the ability to impact people on a larger scale.”

Fashion D-E-S-I-G-N
Ukaga and a friend co-founded D-E-S-I-G-N, an apparel line based in the Twin Cities, in June 2018. D-E-S-I-G-N offers high-quality streetwear for men and women at competitive prices. Ukaga and his business partner design the entire line, which is available for purchase online.

“I’ve always been into clothing, but I truly feel like we all are to a degree. Even as a kid I feel like everyone has a favorite article of clothing or accessory. I just developed a distinct affinity for fashion houses and clothing brands in college,” Ukaga said.

“Gozie’s a wonderful example of our UW-Stout students that make things happen. It will be great to see his continued success in the future,” said lecturer John Sobota.

As far as making things happen as an entrepreneur, Ukaga doesn’t “really think about it that way. I just try things out that look interesting and attempt to get good at them.”

“I hope that I can be successful in real estate, music and fashion,” Ukaga said. “But I may just focus in on one or two eventually. I think my pursuit of happiness will ultimately guide me to where I’m supposed to be.” - Chippewa Herald