Nigerian-born, Toronto-reared singer TOBi has been making some considerable noise over the past year, landing placement on HBO's Insecure with his breakout "Hidden Figures track. The soulful crooner, whose soundscapes are best described as a wonderful hodgepodge of elements that draw comparisons to the likes of Anderson.Paak, D'Angelo and Kendrick Lamar, is prepping the arrival of his next project. Before it get here, TOBi has come through with his latest "City Blues" track, a colorful exploration of his journey migrating from Nigeria to Canada, and adjusting to his surroundings all while growing into his person.
[City Blues is] written from one perspective within the African diaspora, pertaining to being caught between two worlds and reclaiming my ethnic identity," TOBi tells OkayAfrica. "Embracing my name has been a crucial part of my personal growth."
"I drew inspiration from the Shakespeare quote: 'All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts.' 'City Blues' speaks about the many roles that a human takes on at once but from my perspective."
Quotable Lyrics
It’s hard chilling with niggas who only talk about bitches
And never 'bout business
Misogynistic till they sisters get involved
Then it's vengeance in the name of feminism of course