Naomi Sharon Live at HISTORY

A woman once said, “Love is a wicked game; still, we play it.”

That woman is Dutch-Caribbean singer-songwriter Naomi Sharon. The first female artist signed under the OVO Sound record label. She performed at Toronto’s HISTORY on September 7, 2024, at a sold-out venue. This would be the first of two shows slated for the Toronto stop of the Born In The Wild Tour opening for the R&B and neo-soul singer-songwriter Tems.

With a simple, intimate setup of a black curtain backdrop and a mic stand in the middle, everything was close to the front of the stage. A sense of curiosity was felt through the crowd as the anticipation built. Not long after, Naomi took the stage aesthetically, wearing an alluring shiny leather outfit accentuating her curves. She started strong and captivated the crowd with her mesmerizing and powerful voice. With everyone tuned in, Naomi shared about overcoming heartbreak, which led to her releasing her Obsidian album about a year ago. She found hope and support during the process, which quickly resonated with the audience. Flowing into her performance of Regardless and If This Is Love, her vocal prowess was highlighted and got the crowd to sing along warmly. Her body language and hand gestures greatly complemented her stage presence. Deeper into the set, vulnerability is at its highest; Sharon performed her favourite song from her catalogue, Celestial, where she showcased her vocal control while conveying emotion through her heartfelt delivery. A special mention was made to a fan, soon to be wed, who requested Naomi to perform Nothing Sweeter. She also dedicated it to all the lovers in attendance. Another Life drew the set to a close with its catchy and meaningful chorus.

With her brilliant performance, Naomi displayed how worthy and fitting her sound was. She lived up to the expectations and pressure of representing the OVO label in its founder, Drake‘s hometown. We now look forward to the rest of her journey and her future achievements.