Ottawa rapper TwoTiime among Canadians displaced by L.A. fires
Ottawa Rapper TwoTiime Evacuates Condo as Wildfires Devastate Los Angeles Area
Ottawa rapper Khalid Omar, known by his stage name TwoTiime, faced a harrowing experience as he was forced to evacuate his Calabasas condo due to raging wildfires in the Los Angeles area. The 23-year-old artist described waking up to a nightmarish scene as the Kenneth fire spread through West Hills, fueled by strong Santa Ana winds.
\”It was like hell on earth, I’m not going to sugarcoat it,\” Omar shared in a phone call on Friday. \”The sky was red and brown, with smoke filling the air. It felt like judgment day.\”
Following an evacuation warning, Omar had to leave his home amidst thick smoke and chaos. Currently residing in an Airbnb in downtown L.A., he revealed that the studio where he records, owned by his sound engineer Jeffrey Wright in the Palisades, was destroyed by the flames on Wednesday.
\”I’m devastated about the studio,\” Omar expressed. \”It was my safe haven and a crucial space for my music. Studio time in L.A. is expensive, and losing that resource is a major setback.\”
The wildfires have displaced several Canadian artists in L.A., with the inferno claiming lives, destroying structures, and forcing mass evacuations. The situation remains dire, with the Palisades and Eaton fires still largely uncontained despite a decrease in the intense winds that initially fueled the blazes.
Television presenter Mary Kitchen, originally from New Brunswick, recounted the eerie experience of fleeing her Westwood home due to unbearable air quality caused by the wildfires. She described the devastation in the Palisades and emphasized the tight-knit community’s loss.
\”The community is gone now, with businesses, schools, and homes destroyed,\” Kitchen lamented. She and her family are currently staying in a hotel, uncertain about the state of their residence.
Canadian actor Elias Toufexis, known for his work on \”Star Trek: Discovery,\” also had to evacuate his Calabasas home with his family. Toufexis highlighted that many actors in L.A. are ordinary working individuals facing financial uncertainties amidst the ongoing challenges.
Several Canadian celebrities, including Eugene Levy, Cobie Smulders, Cameron Mathison, and music producer Greg Wells, have been affected by the wildfires, with reports of homes lost and significant damages.
Amidst the devastation, Kitchen voiced considerations of moving back to Canada, reflecting on the long road to rebuilding in the fire-ravaged areas. The impact of the wildfires extends beyond affluent neighborhoods, affecting the lives and livelihoods of many residents in the region.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of the wildfires, the resilience and support of individuals like Omar, Kitchen, and Toufexis shine through, embodying strength in the face of adversity.
This article, based on The Canadian Press report published on January 11, 2025, sheds light on the personal stories and challenges faced by those impacted by the devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area.
