{{Short description|American rapper, poet, and vocalist}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Oompa | birth_name = Lakiyra Williams | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1995|01|24}} | birth_place = Roxbury, MA | genre = {{hlist|Hip Hop|R&B}} | years_active = 2016–present | past_member_of = HipStory | website = {{URL|https://www.oompoutloud.com/}} }}
'''Lakiyra Williams''', known professionally as '''Oompa''', is a rapper, poet, and vocalist from Roxbury, Massachusetts.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Meet the local rapper set to perform at Boston Calling 2022 |url=https://www.boston.com/community/music-club/meet-rapper-oompa-to-perform-at-boston-calling/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702195244/https://www.boston.com/community/music-club/meet-rapper-oompa-to-perform-at-boston-calling/ |archive-date=2023-07-02 |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=Boston.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Early life ==
=== Childhood === Oompa was put into foster care at six weeks old.<ref name=":16">{{Cite web |last=Giacobbe |first=Alyssa |date=2023-05-25 |title=The Many Faces of Boston Rap Star Oompa |url=https://www.bostonmagazine.com/arts-entertainment/2023/05/25/oompa-boston-rapper/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713040216/https://www.bostonmagazine.com/arts-entertainment/2023/05/25/oompa-boston-rapper/ |archive-date=2023-07-13 |access-date=2023-07-13 |website=Boston Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":0" />
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.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=10 Questions: Oompa Performs at Celtics Halftime Ahead of New Single Release |url=https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/10-questions-with-nbc10-boston/10-questions-oompa-performs-at-celtics-halftime-ahead-of-new-single-release/2950537/ |archive-url=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/ |archive-date= 2023-07-02 |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=NBC Boston |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=On New Album, Oompa Defies The Tragic Story The World Wrote For Her |url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2019/08/06/oompa-cleo-sophomore-album |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702195531/https://www.wbur.org/news/2019/08/06/oompa-cleo-sophomore-album |archive-date=2023-07-02 |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=WBUR |date=6 August 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
In high school, Oompa's sister, Nicky, died from lupus.<ref name=":16" />
=== Education === Oompa attended Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA, on a full ride scholarship.<ref name=":16" /> She performed rap and poetry at open mics on campus and taught herself how to professionally record music in her college's computer lab.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":6" />
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.<ref name=":16" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Steinberg |first=Jared |date=2018-08-23 |title=Album Review: November 3rd by Oompa |url=https://soundofboston.com/album-review-november-3rd-by-oompa/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702195801/https://soundofboston.com/album-review-november-3rd-by-oompa/ |archive-date=2023-07-02 |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=Sound of Boston |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=CORCORAN |first=NINA |date=27 April 2018 |title=OOMPA: THE POETIC JUSTICE OF ROXBURY'S MOST POSITIVE RAPPER |url=https://digboston.com/oompa-the-poetic-justice-of-roxburys-most-positive-rapper/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702195645/https://digboston.com/oompa-the-poetic-justice-of-roxburys-most-positive-rapper/ |archive-date=2023-07-02 |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=Dig Bos}}</ref> Oompa returned to Bucknell later on, changed her major from mathematics, and earned an undergraduate degree in English and Education.<ref name=":16" />
== 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.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last1=Bruno |first1=Jackie |last2=Klein |first2=Asher |date=27 July 2019 |title=Rapper and Poet Oompa Represents Boston's Roxbury Her Way |url=https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/rapper-poet-oompa-represents-roxbury/62995/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702195930/https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/rapper-poet-oompa-represents-roxbury/62995/ |archive-date=2023-07-02 |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=NBC Boston |language=en-US}}</ref>
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<!-- ! check for tone !--> is part of the human condition. We all hurt. It's not a competition."<ref name=":16" />
== Music career == In 2022, Oompa performed at Boston Calling Music Festival,<ref name=":0" /> was accepted into The Recording Academy,<ref name=":16" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=KENNEDY |first=DAKOTAH |date=2023-04-06 |title="I'm Not On That Grammys Stage Yet, But It Feels One Step Closer" |url=https://digboston.com/im-not-on-that-grammys-stage-yet-but-it-feels-one-step-closer/ |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=Dig Bos}}</ref> and was one of 12 artists selected to be a part of Pepsi Music Lab Academy class of 22–23'.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Lee |first=Cydney |date=2022-10-20 |title=Pepsi Unveils Pepsi Music Lab, a Platform to Help Aspiring Artists Grow Their Careers |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/pepsi-boost-aspiring-music-artists-newplatform/ |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702200045/https://www.billboard.com/pro/pepsi-boost-aspiring-music-artists-newplatform/ |archive-date=2023-07-02 |access-date=2023-02-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Corrine |first=Amber |date=2022-10-20 |title=Pepsi Announces Music Lab Bootcamp For Next-Gen Music Artists |url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/pepsi-music-lab-announces-class-1234703952/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702200238/https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/pepsi-music-lab-announces-class-1234703952/ |archive-date=2023-07-02 |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=VIBE |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |date=2022-10-20 |title=Boston Thriving: Oompa joins Pepsi's Music Lab Class of '22–'23 |url=https://vanyaland.com/2022/10/20/boston-thriving-oompa-joins-pepsis-music-lab-class-of-22-23/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702200408/https://vanyaland.com/2022/10/20/boston-thriving-oompa-joins-pepsis-music-lab-class-of-22-23/ |archive-date=2023-07-02 |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=Vanyaland |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2023, Oompa performed at the Boston Celtics half-time performance at TD Garden,<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Citation |title=Oompa's Celtics vs Warriors Halftime Takeover – 1/19/23 | date=24 January 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENCF291KoCI |access-date=2023-01-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703001530/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENCF291KoCI |language=en |archive-date=2023-07-03}}</ref> and at Massachusetts Governor Maura Healy's inauguration.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |date=2023-01-03 |title=Brandi Carlile, Oompa, and others to perform at Maura Healey inauguration |url=https://vanyaland.com/2023/01/03/brandi-carlile-oompa-and-others-to-perform-at-maura-healey-inauguration/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703011411/https://vanyaland.com/2023/01/03/brandi-carlile-oompa-and-others-to-perform-at-maura-healey-inauguration/ |archive-date=2023-07-03 |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=Vanyaland |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":14">{{Cite web |date=2023-01-06 |title=Healey, Driscoll celebrate their historic firsts with basketball-themed 'Garden party' |url=https://www.wgbh.org/news/politics/2023/01/05/healey-driscoll-celebrate-their-historic-firsts-with-basketball-themed-garden-party |archive-url=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 |archive-date=2023-07-03 |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=News |language=en}}</ref> In August 2023, Oompa's song, "Outta Patience", was featured in a Beats commercial starring Alessia Russo for the Women's World Cup.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-04 |title=Beats by Dre gamifies England star Alessia Russo's journey to the World Cup |url=https://adage.com/creativity/work/beats-dre-gamifies-england-star-alessia-russos-journey-world-cup/2508626 |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=Ad Age |language=en}}</ref>
Oompa has won four Boston Music Awards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Boston Music Awards 2019 |url=https://bostonmusicawards.com/bma/boston-music-awards-2019/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703011938/https://bostonmusicawards.com/bma/boston-music-awards-2019/ |archive-date=2023-07-03 |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=Boston Music Awards |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Hip-hop sweeps the major categories at the 2022 Boston Music Awards |url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2022/12/15/2022-boston-music-awards |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702201735/https://www.wbur.org/news/2022/12/15/2022-boston-music-awards |archive-date=2023-07-02 |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=WBUR |date=15 December 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Boston Music Awards 2018 |url=https://bostonmusicawards.com/bma/boston-music-awards-2018/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702201220/https://bostonmusicawards.com/bma/boston-music-awards-2018/ |archive-date=2023-07-02 |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=Boston Music Awards |language=en-US}}</ref> She has performed with Jill Scott,<ref>{{Cite web |title=At the Gardner Museum, Jill Scott, Paloma Valenzuela, and Oompa Discuss Artistic Integrity |url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2019/10/8/artistic-integrity-isg/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703013316/https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2019/10/8/artistic-integrity-isg/ |archive-date=2023-07-03 |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=The Harvard Crimson}}</ref> 2-Chainz,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Corley |first=Michael |title=Grammy winning rapper 2 Chainz to perform at Salem State University |url=https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/chronicle-transcript/2022/04/14/grammy-winning-rapper-2-chainz-perform-salem-state-university/7282621001/ |archive-url=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/ |archive-date=2023-07-03 |access-date=2023-02-11 |website=Wicked Local |language=en-US}}</ref> Marc Rebillet,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-07 |title=Watch Oompa freestyle with Marc Rebillet at Royale in Boston |url=https://vanyaland.com/2021/09/07/watch-oompa-freestyle-with-marc-rebillet-at-royale-in-boston/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703034805/https://vanyaland.com/2021/09/07/watch-oompa-freestyle-with-marc-rebillet-at-royale-in-boston/ |archive-date=2023-07-03 |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=Vanyaland |language=en-US}}</ref> Palehound,<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 March 2018 |title=Palehound + Oompa + Melissa Lozada-Olivia + Dazey and the Scouts |url=https://www.oshoots.com/blog-2/2018/3/21/palehound-oompa-melissa-lozada-olivia-dazey-and-the-scouts |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703034653/https://www.oshoots.com/blog-2/2018/3/21/palehound-oompa-melissa-lozada-olivia-dazey-and-the-scouts |archive-date=2023-07-03 |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=Omari Spears |language=en-US}}</ref> and Brandi Carlile.<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":14" />
=== Influences === Oompa has cited Jay-Z, Lauryn Hill, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, James Brown, Gospel music, and Black music across genres as her influences.<ref name=":2" />
=== 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".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Steinberg |first=Jared |date=2018-08-23 |title=Album Review: November 3rd by Oompa |url=https://soundofboston.com/album-review-november-3rd-by-oompa/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703034929/https://soundofboston.com/album-review-november-3rd-by-oompa/ |archive-date=2023-07-03 |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=Sound of Boston |language=en-US}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |last=CORCORAN |first=NINA |date=27 December 2016 |title=30 BEST LOCAL ALBUMS OF 2016 |url=https://digboston.com/30-best-local-albums-of-2016/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702200748/https://digboston.com/30-best-local-albums-of-2016/ |archive-date=2023-07-02 |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=Dig Bos}}</ref><ref name=":11">{{Cite web |date=2016-12-19 |title=Allston Pudding's Favorite Albums of 2016 [50–21] |url=http://allstonpudding.com/allston-puddings-favorite-albums-2016-50-21/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702200909/http://allstonpudding.com/allston-puddings-favorite-albums-2016-50-21/ |archive-date=2023-07-02 |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=Allston Pudding}}</ref>
In 2019, Oompa released the album, "Cleo", named for Queen Latifah's character in Set It Off.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |date=2019-08-20 |title=With "CLEO," Oompa Pays Tribute to a Childhood Hero |url=https://daily.bandcamp.com/features/oompa-cleo-interview |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703035056/https://daily.bandcamp.com/features/oompa-cleo-interview |archive-date=2023-07-03 |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=Bandcamp Daily}}</ref> ''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".<ref>{{Cite web |title=On New Album, Oompa Defies The Tragic Story The World Wrote For Her |url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2019/08/06/oompa-cleo-sophomore-album |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703035157/https://www.wbur.org/news/2019/08/06/oompa-cleo-sophomore-album |archive-date=2023-07-03 |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=WBUR |date=6 August 2019 |language=en}}</ref> ''Telegram'' called the album captivating and viscerally inspiring.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Infante |first=Victor D. |title=Oompa steps up with captivating 'Cleo' |url=https://www.telegram.com/story/entertainment/columns/2019/08/29/oompa-steps-up-with-captivating-cleo/4358084007/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704180952/https://www.telegram.com/story/entertainment/columns/2019/08/29/oompa-steps-up-with-captivating-cleo/4358084007/ |archive-date=2023-07-04 |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=The Worcester Telegram & Gazette |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Allston Pudding'' attended the album release and called the performance of "Cleo" "powerful from beginning to end".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spears |first=Omari |date=2019-08-14 |title=Oompa Celebrates New Album "Cleo" at The Sinclair |url=http://allstonpudding.com/oompa-celebrates-new-album-cleo-at-the-sinclair/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704180830/http://allstonpudding.com/oompa-celebrates-new-album-cleo-at-the-sinclair/ |archive-date=2023-07-04 |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=Allston Pudding}}</ref> With "Cleo", Oompa landed on ''NPR'''s Slingshot Artist to Watch list.<ref name=":13">{{Cite news |title=2020 Slingshot Artists To Watch |work=NPR Music |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/01/08/793450920/2020-slingshot-artists-to-watch |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702201623/https://www.npr.org/2020/01/08/793450920/2020-slingshot-artists-to-watch |archive-date=2023-07-02}}</ref>
In 2021, Oompa released the album, "Unbothered".<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Infante |first=Victor D. |title=Listen Up: Oompa takes listeners on personal journey with 'Unbothered' |url=https://www.worcestermag.com/story/entertainment/2021/10/06/listen-up-boston-rapper-oompa-takes-listeners-personal-journey-unbothered/5984319001/ |archive-url=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/ |archive-date=2023-07-04 |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=Worcester Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> ''The Harvard Crimson'' characterized the album as, "personal, unapologetic, inspirational, and incredibly deserving of all the glowing receptions it will receive".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Album Review: Oompa's "Unbothered" Builds a Legacy of Joy {{!}} Arts {{!}} The Harvard Crimson |url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2021/10/26/unbothered-oompa-review/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704180648/https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2021/10/26/unbothered-oompa-review/ |archive-date=2023-07-04 |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=www.thecrimson.com}}</ref> ''Vanyaland'' called the album, "a sacred space, the Boston's emcee commitment to herself — and her listeners — to cultivate a life worth living".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-10-01 |title=Interview: Oompa's new album 'Unbothered' plays like a promise |url=https://vanyaland.com/2021/10/01/interview-oompas-new-album-unbothered-plays-like-a-promise/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704180524/https://vanyaland.com/2021/10/01/interview-oompas-new-album-unbothered-plays-like-a-promise/ |archive-date=2023-07-04 |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=Vanyaland |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Galore Mag'' hailed Oompa as having "a cadence and energy akin to the legendary Missy Elliott and the poetic finesse of Noname".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barrott |first=Jenna |date=2021-10-19 |title=Oompa's New Album "UNBOTHERED" Unfurls a Journey of Self Discovery – And You're Invited For The Ride |url=https://galoremag.com/oompas-new-album-unbothered-unfurls-a-journey-of-self-discovery-and-youre-invited-for-the-ride/ |archive-url=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/ |archive-date=2023-07-04 |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=Galore |language=en}}</ref> ''The Three-Sixty Mag'' called "Unbothered", "an album brimming with gems".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hoang |first=Anh |date=2021-10-05 |title=OOMPA – UNBOTHERED |url=https://www.the360mag.com/oompa-unbothered/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704180309/https://www.the360mag.com/oompa-unbothered/ |archive-date=2023-07-04 |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=360 MAGAZINE – GREEN {{!}} ART {{!}} MUSIC {{!}} DESIGN |language=en-US}}</ref> ''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".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-10-01 |title=15 New Hip-Hop & R&B Albums You Should Be Listening To (Week of October 1) – Okayplayer |url=https://www.okayplayer.com/music/best-new-albums-october-1.html,%20https://www.okayplayer.com/music/best-new-albums-october-1.html |archive-url=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 |archive-date=2023-07-04 |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=www.okayplayer.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-12-01 |title='All We Need To Do Is Ask' — How The Record Co. Redefines What It Means To Serve A Community |url=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 |archive-url=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 |archive-date=2023-07-03 |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=Org |language=en}}</ref> Oompa partnered with the Somerville Arts Council to create Black, Brown & Queer Fest.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Black, Brown & Queer Fest' in Union Square on August 24 |url=https://www.somervillema.gov/news/%25E2%2580%2598black-brown-queer-fest%25E2%2580%2599-union-square-august-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703032957/https://www.somervillema.gov/news/%25E2%2580%2598black-brown-queer-fest%25E2%2580%2599-union-square-august-24 |archive-date=2023-07-03 |access-date=2023-01-28 |website=City of Somerville}}</ref> ''The Gumbo'' has praised Oompa's music for uplifting women.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 October 2018 |title=Inherent Exclusion: On Loving Hip-Hop As A Black Queer Woman |url=https://thegumbo.net/blog/2018/10/15/inherent-exclusion-on-loving-hip-hop-as-a-black-queer-woman |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703033107/https://thegumbo.net/blog/2018/10/15/inherent-exclusion-on-loving-hip-hop-as-a-black-queer-woman |archive-date=2023-07-03 |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=The Gumbo |language=en-US}}</ref>
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."<ref name=":16" />
== Personal life == In 2023, Oompa reconnected with her birth father, who was a popular R & B singer in the '90s.<ref name=":16" />
== Awards ==
* Pepsi's Music Lab Class of '22-'23<ref name=":7" /> * City of Boston, Workforce Development Contracts For Artists And Creative Workers, 2022<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-30 |title=$500,000 Awarded in Workforce Development Contracts for Artists and Creative Workers |url=https://www.boston.gov/news/500000-awarded-workforce-development-contracts-artists-and-creative-workers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702201959/https://www.boston.gov/news/500000-awarded-workforce-development-contracts-artists-and-creative-workers |archive-date=2023-07-02 |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=Boston.gov |language=en}}</ref> * City of Cambridge's Local Cultural Council Grants, 2022<ref>{{Cite web |title=$117,856 for Local Cultural Council Grants to 31 Cambridge Projects |url=https://www.cambridgema.gov/en/arts/News/2022/03/$117,856forlocalculturalcouncilgrantsto31cambridgeprojects |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702201845/https://www.cambridgema.gov/en/arts/News/2022/03/%24117,856forlocalculturalcouncilgrantsto31cambridgeprojects |archive-date=2023-07-02 |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=City of Cambridge |language=en}}</ref> * Live Artist of the Year, Boston Music Awards, 2022<ref name=":3" /> * ''NPR'' Slingshot Artist to Watch, 2020<ref name=":13" /> * Live Artist of the Year, Boston Music Awards, 2019<ref>{{Cite web |title=Boston Music Awards 2019 |url=https://bostonmusicawards.com/bma/boston-music-awards-2019/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702201513/https://bostonmusicawards.com/bma/boston-music-awards-2019/ |archive-date=2023-07-02 |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=Boston Music Awards |language=en-US}}</ref> * The Boston Foundation Brother Thomas Fellow, 2019<ref>{{Cite web |title=Twelve Greater Boston artists named Brother Thomas Fellows for 2019 |url=https://www.tbf.org/news-and-insights/press-releases/2019/october/2019-brother-thomas-announcement |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702201328/https://www.tbf.org/news-and-insights/press-releases/2019/october/2019-brother-thomas-announcement |archive-date=2023-07-02 |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=The Boston Foundation}}</ref> * Unsigned Artist of the Year, Boston Music Awards, 2018<ref name=":4" /> * 617Session Winner, Boston Music Awards, 2018<ref name=":4" /> * Passim Awards Iguana Music Fund Grant Recipient, 2018<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iguana Music Fund |url=https://www.passim.org/mission/iguana-music-fund/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702201057/https://www.passim.org/mission/iguana-music-fund/ |archive-date=2023-07-02 |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=Passim |language=en-US}}</ref> * Women of the World Poetry Slam Champion, 2017<ref name=":5" /> * National Poetry Slam finalist, 2016<ref name=":5" /> * ''Allston Pudding's'' favorite albums of the year, 2016<ref name=":11" /> * ''DigBoston's'' Top 30 Local Albums of the year, 2016<ref name=":12" />
== Discography == {| class="wikitable" |+Albums !Title !Year !Source |- |Unbothered |2021 |<ref name=":9" /> |- |Cleo |2019 |<ref name=":8" /> |- |November 3 |2016 |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gagnon |first=Tim |date=2016-11-04 |title=PREMIERE: Oompa's "November 3rd" |url=http://allstonpudding.com/premiere-oompas-november-3rd/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704175856/http://allstonpudding.com/premiere-oompas-november-3rd/ |archive-date= 2023-07-04 |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=Allston Pudding}}</ref> |} {| class="wikitable" |+Singles !Title !Year !Source |- |"Think Too Much" |2023 |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-03 |title=Oompa swears she won't 'think too much' anymore |url=https://vanyaland.com/2023/02/03/oompa-swears-she-wont-think-too-much-anymore/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704175733/https://vanyaland.com/2023/02/03/oompa-swears-she-wont-think-too-much-anymore/ |archive-date= 2023-07-04 |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=Vanyaland |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |"OUTTA PATIENCE" |2021 |<ref>{{Cite news |last=Monique |first=Keish |date=2021-09-17 |title=PREMIERE – Oompa Is Running "OUTTA PATIENCE", But Kicks It With Us (Interview) » Hype Off Life |language=en-US |work=Hype Off Life |url=https://hypeofflife.com/oompa-outta-patience/ |access-date=2023-01-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704175632/https://hypeofflife.com/blog/oompa-outta-patience |archive-date= 2023-07-04}}</ref> |- |"LEBRON" |2021 |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-08-12 |title=PREMIERE: Oompa Celebrates "Feeling Like a Bad Bitch" With "Lebron" |url=https://www.audiofemme.com/premiere-oompa-lebron/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704175506/https://www.audiofemme.com/premiere-oompa-lebron/ |archive-date= 2023-07-04 |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=Audiofemme |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |"Go" |2021 |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-09 |title=Oompa zips through sticky-sweet R&B with Dan DeCristofaro on 'Go' |url=https://vanyaland.com/2021/07/09/oompa-zips-through-sticky-sweet-rb-with-dan-decristofaro-on-go/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704175356/https://vanyaland.com/2021/07/09/oompa-zips-through-sticky-sweet-rb-with-dan-decristofaro-on-go/ |archive-date= 2023-07-04 |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=Vanyaland |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |"Closer" |2020 |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-11-09 |title=Oompa summons cleansing relief with new single 'Closer' |url=https://vanyaland.com/2020/11/09/oompa-summons-cleansing-relief-with-new-single-closer/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704175231/https://vanyaland.com/2017/11/07/photo-gallery-dresden-dolls-live-paradise-rock-club-in-boston/embed/ |archive-date= 2023-07-04 |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=Vanyaland |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |"By You" |2019 |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Listen To Oompa Go To Therapy On Her New Track, 'By You' |url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2019/07/24/oompa-cleo-premiere |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703031810/https://www.wbur.org/news/2019/07/24/oompa-cleo-premiere |archive-date= 2023-07-03 |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=WBUR |date=4 November 2019 |language=en}}</ref> |- |"Feel Like Cole" |2019 |<ref name=":15">{{Cite web |last=Infante |first=Victor D. |title=Oompa delivers layered, defiant 'Feel Like Cole' |url=https://www.telegram.com/story/entertainment/columns/2019/07/20/song-to-get-you-through-week-oompa-delivers-layered-defiant-feel-like-cole/4614366007/ |archive-url=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/ |archive-date= 2023-07-02 |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=The Worcester Telegram & Gazette |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |"Your Girl" |2016 |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Infante |first=Victor D. |title=Boston's Oompa puts spin on R&B with 'Your Girl' |url=https://www.telegram.com/story/entertainment/2016/11/19/bostons-oompa-puts-spin-on-rampb-with-your-girl/24511034007/ |archive-url=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/ |archive-date= 2023-07-02 |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=The Worcester Telegram & Gazette |language=en-US}}</ref> |} {| class="wikitable" |+Music videos !Title !Year !Source |- |"Think Too Much" |2023 |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-04 |title=Oompa Opens Up on "Think Too Much" |url=https://miixtapechiick.com/oompa-opens-up-on-think-too-much/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702215519/https://miixtapechiick.com/oompa-opens-up-on-think-too-much/ |archive-date= 2023-07-02 |access-date=2023-02-05 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |"LEBRON" |2021 |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-08-12 |title=PREMIERE: Oompa Celebrates "Feeling Like a Bad Bitch" With "Lebron" |url=https://www.audiofemme.com/premiere-oompa-lebron/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702215413/https://www.audiofemme.com/premiere-oompa-lebron/ |archive-date= 2023-07-02 |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=Audiofemme |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |"Go" |2021 |<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 July 2021 |title=Oompa – 'GO' ft. Dan DeCristofaro (OMV) |url=https://www.wearesensei.com/music/7/16/21/oompa-go-ft-dan-decristofaro |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702215304/https://www.wearesensei.com/music/7/16/21/oompa-go-ft-dan-decristofaro |archive-date= 2023-07-02 |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=Sensei |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |"Closer" |2020 |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-11-09 |title=Oompa summons cleansing relief with new single 'Closer' |url=https://vanyaland.com/2020/11/09/oompa-summons-cleansing-relief-with-new-single-closer/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702214958/https://vanyaland.com/2020/11/09/oompa-summons-cleansing-relief-with-new-single-closer/ |archive-date= 2023-07-02 |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=Vanyaland |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |"Feel Like Cole" |2019 |<ref name=":15" /> |- |"I Deserve That" |2018 |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-07-02 |title=Oompa teaches the value of taking up space in 'I Deserve That' |url=https://vanyaland.com/2018/07/02/oompa-teaches-the-value-of-taking-up-space-in-i-deserve-that/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702214656/https://vanyaland.com/2018/07/02/oompa-teaches-the-value-of-taking-up-space-in-i-deserve-that/ |archive-date= 2023-07-02 |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=Vanyaland |language=en-US}}</ref> |}
*
== References == <references />
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Oompa}} Category:East Coast hip-hop musicians Category:American lesbian musicians Category:Lesbian rappers Category:21st-century American rappers Category:American women hip-hop musicians Category:American LGBTQ rappers Category:21st-century American women rappers Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people Category:21st-century American writers Category:LGBTQ hip-hop musicians Category:Songwriters from Massachusetts Category:Rappers from Boston Category:African-American feminists Category:21st-century African-American writers Category:21st-century American women writers Category:21st-century African-American women writers Category:American feminist writers Category:Feminist theorists Category:African-American LGBTQ people Category:Living people Category:1991 births Category:21st-century African-American rappers Category:American LGBTQ women singers Category:21st-century African-American women rappers