Best of Boston

2023 Best Musical Artist

Oompa

It’s already been a huge year for Lakiyra “Oompa” Williams. In January, the Roxbury-born rapper and two-time Boston Music Awards winner performed at Governor Maura Healey’s inaugural ball at TD Garden — an event historic both in scope and symbolism and her biggest indoor stage ever. That same month, Oompa returned to the TD Garden spotlight, taking over the Celtics’ halftime for a five-minute center-court set. But the February single “Think Too Much” represents a greater leveling up, with Oompa trying out her singing voice over airy Afro-Caribbean rhythms and showing a softer R & B range that promises her year can only get bigger.