ArtworxTO Spotlight: Kibra Tesfaye

Meet ArtworxTO Spotlight Emering Artist, Kibra Tesfaye. Kibra is an emerging artist from Toronto ready to captivate you with her hybrid blend of smooth R&B sounds and agile jazz vocals. Her diverse upbringing and lived experiences have majorly contributed to the creation of her unique afro-fusion sound that is packed with messages that tackle social issues, give hope and inspire love. Throughout her academic career at York University and in her community, Kibra strived to be an advocate for social justice. Before officially starting her music career, was part of multiple cultural and activists groups at her school such as the York United Black Students' Alliance. She would often participate and/or organize protests, events and workshops, however always knew music was her true calling. It was then that she realized that she could merge the two and has since continued advocating through her music.

Her experience ranges from the most intimate of venues like Regular's Bar, to headlining big stages like Afrofest at Woodbine Park and the RBCxMusic Pre-Show for TIFF, to taking international stages like SXSW in the Austin, Texas, and AfroChic in Accra, Ghana. After spending half a year in Ghana, Kibra was able to deeply connect with to Ghanaian and African culture, nature and the music scene. During her stay, she spent endless hours in the studio, filmed multiple music videos and connected built a network of great people in the African music industry. Her latest single, “Live Your Life” was produced in Ghana with Nii Quaye which was released in November 2021 along with a culturally-packed music video that was graciously funded by RBCxMusic. ( See here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxJXVdCjozk ) Now that she is back in Toronto, Kibra is using the skills she has acquired to foster community and share knowledge within the arts. For example, Kibra is piloting a Content Creation Retreat Program that involves running 'artrepreneurship' workshops and BIPOC emerging artists, and is set to facilitate workshops on performance and songwriting at Black Creek Community Farms for children of the Jane-finch community through Arts in The Park and the Art Gallery of York University.