iMullar sits down with Nigerian vocalist, songwriter and producer Tomi Thomas for an enlightening conversation on his inspiring come-up story, the all-important meaning behind his music and his top advice for fellow musicians.
Tomi Thomas fondly recalls a day from his childhood when he was only maybe four years old. It happened to be his grandmother’s birthday. Due to a power outage, they resorted to lighting candles. Tomi Thomas says… ”I had to do something so I just started performing for the family and everybody loved it. That’s how my musical journey started.” He hadn’t felt that way before. This feeling urged him to do more, so he started drumming in school then joined the drama club. His obsession for music continued into high school where he joined a collective called “Castey Republic”.
Photo credits: Edem Nyatuame @studio_cd34
Born in 1992, Tomi Thomas is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and producer. He fondly remembers his first ever proper recording experience was with popular sound engineer Ikon at his “Red Room Studio” in 2008. It was at this time he met another crew called “L.O.S.”. He first gained recognition as a member of L.O.S (Loud on Sound) which was active from 2010 to 2014. The group released several popular singles, including “Bad Guy P”, “On Fire”, and “Wish You Could Stay.’ This was where his music elevated because it gave him an opportunity to collaborate with recognized artists like Sarkodie in 2013, Black Eyed Peas and more. “I’ve never necessarily had vocal lessons but I always practiced by myself, morning runs and showers”. He also advises his fellow artists to take their time to hone their talents, and seek guidance from masters, someone who has the ability to unlock their potential. In order to succeed, he believes it’s essential to be open to learning and improvement, even if it means submitting to the guidance of others.
After L.O.S., Tomi pursued a solo career in Dubai. He was in Dubai for University but actively pushed his music alongside. Tomi started one of the first independent distribution companies in UAE called “Urban Mass” where he distributed his own music along with other artists as well. It was in Dubai he released his debut EP, “Patience” in 2014. One of his most notable records, “Ready or Not” from the EP became a big hit in Nigeria, reaching the top of the charts and resonating with listeners. Tomi describes it as a song about healing, as he fondly recalls how it touched people’s lives. He recites “healing to your soul… when your sunshine turns to rain and everybody has gone away, I’ll be there” and describes this style as “liquid house’’… he laughs.
It was his first number one song in Nigeria which put him on the Nigerian top 10 and was number one for several weeks. ”That was one of my biggest records back In the day, people still come to me talking about how that song healed them in one way or another.” His EP featured other impactful tracks; songs like “The Renaissance” and “Sleeping Over” enabled Tomi to garner positive reviews and further solidify his presence in the Nigerian music scene. The quick recognition enabled him to be one of the first Afrobeat artists to have their music broadcast on radio in the UAE.
Continuing his musical journey in Dubai, Tomi released the “Black Couch EP” featuring collaborations with acts like Santi on “Not My Bae” and Tay Iwar on “Passion”. The EP was a smooth and soulful collection of songs which showcased his silky voice and songwriting skills, talking about the importance of patience and how we should sometimes allow things to happen naturally without rush or force. If you’re a fan of contemporary African music, then you should definitely check out Tomi Thomas’ “Patience” EP.
Upon his return to Nigeria, he has continued to push his music and collaborate with others, which he believes has helped him develop his own unique sound. “I like to create music that makes me feel. So long as I feel it in my heart, I hear it in my heart, I hear it in my ears, process it with my mind, that for me is music.” Tomi Thomas has become known for his eclectic style, which blends different genres such as R&B, Afrobeat and Rap, making him one of the most exciting voices in Nigerian music. His music is evidently a vibrant fusion of different genres; ”I could do a Hip-Hop tape, Reggae, or even a ballad. I’ve been able to train myself to do that, not anyone can but I believe everyone has the ability if you put the time in.” This among a host of other attributes have made him well-regarded by music critics and fans alike.
Tomi believes African music is already there but everybody needs to focus on bettering their craft, becoming better artists and making better music. In our conversation he states, ”If we start making music at a higher level, we will get everything we deserve”. One very important aspect of the growth of African music is more collaborations with international artists.
Emerging from the COVID-19 lockdown, Tomi Thomas tapped into the prevailing vibe of the time to create his record “Hopeless Romantic”. “We just came out of the lockdown and it was just the vibe that was going on at the time, regardless of all the stuff that happens we move forward. The “Hopeless Romantic” record is about transcending love and moving into a higher frequency of peace regardless of what life has thrown at you”. Having used love as a vehicle through the COVID madness of 2020, Tomi Thomas created “Hopeless Romantic” from a place of growth and self-understanding. Drawing inspiration from the various genres that originated from Nigeria and Africa, Tomi aims to showcase the richness of African music to the world. He further elaborates that he creates based on how he feels, where he is mentally and his evolution into his next phase.
He encourages his fellow artists to center themselves and keep a calm mind at all times as different people will always have different opinions. He also echoes the importance of music in today’s society and his belief that music is one of the most important creations there is, in a sense that music is vibration and a form of the essence of God. He urges fans to expect more energy and adrenaline fueled music from him as he drops something special this summer.
Author: Thomas-Moore Ayamga
