The Canadian blues legend Ndidi Onukwulu has always been a nomad. She was born in New Westminster, British Columbia and spent time in Vancouver, Burns Lake and Golden, British Columbia during her childhood. In her late teens, Onukwulu headed to New York city, where she found her voice through open mic performances. Shortly after, Onukwulu moved to Toronto, Ontario and became quite the name in the Canadian blues scene, performing in a number of venues throughout the years.

Under the label Jericho Beach Music, 19 year-old Onukwulu released her debut album No, I Never as “Ndidi O”. When describing the CD, Doug Taylor from The Coast says, “The first few listens will provoke comparisons from Billie Holiday to Erykah Badu…” showing how the piece reflects the genres that inspire Onukwulu, while showcasing a distinctive sound. Two years later, Onukwulu’s 2008 sophomore record, The Contradictor, earned her a Juno nomination for Roots and Traditional Album of the Year. After much buzz in the Canadian mediascape, Onukwulu was signed by Decca Music France–a subsidiary to Universal Music Group. She then moved to France, gaining a solid European fan base through tours, performances and media coverage during the early 2010’s.

After some time in France, Onukwulu relocated to British Columbia—her first home. Since this repatriation, she released two albums, and several singles. Additionally, her music has been featured in a GAP ad campaign and television programs such as: Orange Is The New Black, True Blood and the Netflix series Self-Made: Inspired by the Life of Madame C.J Walker.

Her 2024 release Simple Songs For Complicated Times, was released under Black Hen Music. The eleven-track album delves into complex topics such as ageism in the music industry (in the track “Too Late”) and the act of leaving toxic people behind (in the track “Get Gone”). This deeply personal project contains the charm of her previous work, and a sense of wisdom that draws new listeners in.

Onukwulu continues to tour and perform across Canada and around the world. She performs solo, and in the trip hop duo BOGA.