Hugh Okechukwu Ozumba (born May 12, 1989), known professionally as Mazbou Q, and formerly Unchained XL, is UK-born, Auckland-based Nigerian New Zealand rapper, singer, producer, and social media content creator and educator.
Early life
Mazbou Q and his parents are from Nimo village of Anambra state of Nigeria, which is Igboland also known as Biafra. His parents moved to England, where he and his sister were born, Mazbou Q in Liverpool. The family moved to New Zealand in the early 1990s and Mazbou Q grew up in Manurewa, Auckland. He says there weren’t many Africans in the country at that time, so he saw himself as a pioneer in establishing a Black culture in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Musically, Mazbou Q started with classical piano, then moved into heavy metal, fronting the Auckland band East of Eden. After creating some raps with a friend, he made the switch to hip hop in 2016, with influences from West African Highlife and East Coast-inspired boom bap.
^ Hayden, Leonie (June 19, 2020). "Black New Zealanders on their fight: 'I didn't know how unseen we were'". The Spinoff. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
^ a b
"Feature - Unchained XL: Giving It A Good Shot". NZ Musician. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
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Q, Mazbou (October 8, 2019). "Why Israel Adesanya's victory was a win for me too". The Spinoff. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
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"Music - Mazbou Q: The Future Was - Tāmaki Makaurau".
