Vernon Ayiku

Field Producer | Music & Culture Journalist

[Vernon Ayiku @VernonAyiku]

From leading the indie rap wave to facing harsh reviews for The Big Day, @chancetherapper‘s path to Star Line has been a rollercoaster. I break it all down for @RecordingAcad — check out my piece here.

https://t.co/9GLUCLNqCd

[Exclaim! @exclaimdotca]

Cadence Weapon's DIY show at the Cameron House in Toronto proved you don't need to surrender live music to corporations. Our review:
https://t.co/nGlG0AceLp

[Richie Assaly @rdassaly]

Wrote about @backxwash, Cold Specks, Friendship and Navy Blue for the @TorontoStar’s roundup best 2025 albums.

+ more from @emhanskamp and @VernonAyiku

https://t.co/1pbTtKe5jG

[Vernon Ayiku @VernonAyiku]

Check out my debut piece for @RecordingAcad

https://t.co/SyQNaQ4k4r

[Vernon Ayiku @VernonAyiku]

Went into this story with a vague idea of what The Coffee Party and the rest of these daytime raves were about and left with a genuine appreciation for their movement. Check out the full story in @TorontoStar

https://t.co/nGPAejBmzI

[Vernon Ayiku @VernonAyiku]

@rdassaly Congrats man! Well deserved!

[Richie Assaly @rdassaly]

To kick off our 2000s nostalgia week, we asked our music experts to weigh in on the very worst, most unforgivable songs of the decade.

With @LukewSavage, @emhanskamp, @VernonAyiku and more!

https://t.co/UBiPwV7RAG

[Vernon Ayiku @VernonAyiku]

Chatted with the incredibly talented @alessiacara about her new album “Love & Hyperbole” for the @TorontoStar - We talked new music, life, her fear of death and more! Read the full story here!

https://t.co/ryHYWs4tpE

[Richie Assaly @rdassaly]

Wrote about ‘brat,’ Erika de Casier and Christopher Owens for the @TorontoStar’s end of year music roundup.

Alongside @emhanskamp, @mussettb, @aisling_murph_, @VernonAyiku and more

[Vernon Ayiku @VernonAyiku]

We're so back! To our regularly scheduled programming... Check out my review of @ShawnMendes Friends & Family Only show at @masseyhall for @TorontoStar

https://t.co/aPuZT3EgdU

[Vernon Ayiku @VernonAyiku]

Vince Staples’s Dark Times

Denzel Curry’s King of the Mischievous South Vol. 2

Schoolboy Q’s Blue Lips

Should have all been nominated.

[Complex Music @ComplexMusic]

BEST RAP ALBUM NOMINEES #GRAMMYs

• J. Cole — 'Might Delete Later'
• Common & Pete Rock — 'The Auditorium, Vol. 1'
• Future & Metro Boomin — 'We Don't Trust You'
• Eminem — 'The Death Of Slim Shady'
• Doechii — 'Alligator Bites Never Heal'

[Vernon Ayiku @VernonAyiku]

@MustafaThePoet at @roythomsonhall is my favourite show this year. Read why in my review for @TorontoStar

https://t.co/1seR75Mumh

[Nathaniel Dove @NathanielDove_]

Looking for election coverage with context, including how journalists call who wins?

Our @globalnews coverage is here: https://t.co/lpzjU5dasV

#USAElection2024

[Toronto Star @TorontoStar]

What’s the most annoying Taylor Swift song?

Swift is one of the most beloved and bestselling musicians of all time. But even Swifties will admit some of the superstar’s songs are duds. Our music writers weigh in. https://t.co/bqeJauwCFy

[Vernon Ayiku @VernonAyiku]

The @TorontoStar asked, and I picked. “Bad Blood” is the most annoying @taylorswift13 song. Read my opinion and the rest of @rdassaly round-up below!

https://t.co/Of6K64tpnK

[Vernon Ayiku @VernonAyiku]

I covered @vincestaples' first headlining show in Toronto last night for @TorontoStar. Check out the review!

https://t.co/OIQhFMTo0h

[Exclaim! @exclaimdotca]

'Leon' is out now via @ColumbiaRecords. Read our entire conversation with @leonbridges about it, 🖊️@VernonAyiku:
https://t.co/L3SWU0C7FG

[Vernon Ayiku @VernonAyiku]

Great night at Scotiabank Arena with @billieeilish yesterday! Read my review for @TorontoStar to hear all about it!

[Toronto Star Culture @TorontoStarLife]

#Review: Billie Eilish brings her soul-baring tour to Toronto for a emotional four-star performance

🖊️ by @VernonAyiku

https://t.co/jI7oTqyy6E

[Elamin Abdelmahmoud @elamin88]

House parties are back, Adam Brody is back, yearning is back, I’m gonna buy a rugby shirt, this is about to be the most 2004 ass fall you’ve ever seen 🫡

[Richie Assaly @rdassaly]

Spoke to Mustafa about leaving Toronto, about grief, about Gaza and Sudan, and about finding a sound that strikes a balance between Leonard Cohen and Mohammed Wardi on his new album "Dunya."

https://t.co/MU0mGulO6R