Tonye Aganaba

Tonye Aganaba is a Black African queer, disabled and non-binary immigrant and uninvited settler living on the unceded ancestral territories of the Musqueam, Squamish & Tsleil-Waututh First Nations. They were born in London, England – the belly of the beast and the stronghold of imperialism, colonialism and racial capitalism, and immigrated to so-called Canada at the age of 13. They proudly trace their ancestral line to the lands known today as Nigeria and Zimbabwe.

Tonye is an interdisciplinary artist and musician – and their style is dynamic and fluid – weaving playful threads of Soul, Neo-Folk, Funk, Hip-Hop and R&B. Their shows, gatherings, and workshops are connected and intimate experiences, and evoke a kind of vulnerability that we all hunger for. They are a steadfast fixture in their local arts community – and a passionate and political being.

When they’re not on stage or in the studio – they’re actively unlearning and re-learning as a community worker and organizer working in solidarity with oppressed peoples and in defense of the planet, in an effort to decolonize body, mind, spirit and space. You can find them organizing with Defund 604 Network, Community Accountability Project, Ethos Lab, and Cops Out Of Schools – four collectives based in so-called Vancouver that are dedicated to creating safe and healthy spaces for all.