INTERVIEW:- "My Tiny Voice Is My Selling Point" - Allyhills Artiste, Tolu [ @iamthatolu ]

By Unknown

Friday 27 March 2015

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After two new singles, one video and several cameo appearances in Mavin projects, Project Fame 5 Alumni, Tolu Adesina, simply called Tolu is gradually finding is way into the mainstream of the Nigeria music industry. He is signed to Allyhills Record, which is an affiliate of Don Jazzy's Mavin Records. The Nonstopgbedu team paid him a visit and add these juicy chat with him. Read below;

Can we meet you? 
My full name is Tolulope Abraham Adesina, I was born in Kaduna. I've singing since 11. I was drafted for project fame in 2010. 

Did the music start for you in Project fame? 
No. I've been in the children's choir in my baptist church since I was a kid. My voice was distinct from every other boy in the choir. I have a tiny voice, so as young as I was then, I sounded like a girl. Also, my dad was a lover of music, when I came back from school then, he would play songs and I would sit down with my school uniform with keen interest and attention. 

How as the journey being from Project Fame till now?
Prior to project fame, I auditioned for seven different singing competions, including BET Sunday Best, West African Idol, Nokia First Chance, Set The Stage... and I was kicked out from the first round, so I reluctantly registered for Project fame after all these. 

How come you didn't give up?
See, I didn't choose music, music chose me, I've been around music since I was a child, so I had no option in the matter. I couldn't think of anything else, music was always in my mind.
Sometimes you give in your best and you still don't hit your mark, it doesn't mean you should give up. After the singing competitions, I had to choose between going back home to Kaduna or staying Lagos, I chose the later, and I think that is the decision that brought me to where I am today. 

Did you ever imagine coming this far with music? 
I have always imagined it. I always see myself standing on a stage singing to thousands. Everytime I close my eyes and go to sleep, that dream was always in my head. So the dream of being a superstar star as always been in my mind. 

Your fans wants to know if you're signed to Mavins or Allyhills Record? Do expand on that. 
I'm signed to Allyhills Record, which happens to be an affiliate record label to Mavin Record. We are more like a younger brother to the Mavin Record. It's a new label, so Don Jazzy helps with decision making and everything we do has to pass through him. It's an amazing gift to see someone I've respected so much oversee me as an artiste. We are all the Supreme Mavin Dynasty. (SMD) 

What does it feel like working with Don Jazzy and being overseen by him. 
It's a gigantic blessing. It's something I never saw coming. I never thought it could happen to me. I've always admired Don Jazzy right since the Kaduna and Project fame days. You know how you have a dream, and you watch TV, just like seeing Usher, and you're like these people are in a different planet. And one day, you're standing next to him. That's exactly what happened. 

People call you Nigerian Trey Songz, how did that come about? 
*laughs* I think 2baba was responsible for that name. He was invited to project fame during our season, that was when I performed his song, keep the fire burning. And after my performance, he was like "O boy o, you resemble Trey Songz o", and he said it on National TV. That was how the name stuck. 

So have you met Trey Songz? 
Errm, I hope too. I wouldn't mind working with him, because he has a beautiful brand and all the girls love him. 

Your debut song under the stables of Allyhills Record, My Lover caused so much buzz, tell us about it. 
'My Lover' is actually a Don Jazzy influenced song from start to finish. No lady inspired that song. We were just working in the studio, and Don Jazzy brought out that vibe in me, and he was like this song would be perfect for a debut single. That was it. 

What do you think about the industry right now? 
It's very challenging. But how you prove yourself is to keep coming hot and fresh, single after single, and make sure your promotion is good. But if you relax, people tend to forget you quickly. 

So tell us, how do you intend to stay relevant in this crowded industry that you are in. 
Being unique. I say this without faulting any one, my voice is different from anybody in this whole industry put together. And my uniqueness is what I'm selling, if you try to be someone else, you will drown.

What does Tolu do when not doing music?
I love to talk, like your job. I love broadcasting. I'm also very passionate about the female child plight too. I feel that Nigerian women are treated in a certain way that puts them behind, and I don't really like that. A woman is responsible for the next generation, and if you mistreat them, what you're doing is psychologically affecting the generation coming out of her. And it upsets me. So part of my dream is to spare-head a movement in a favour of the female child. I want to use the power of my brand to effect some change. 

Let's talk about the female fans, how are you fairing with them? 
They've been really amazing, since Mr Lover dropped. They even formed an association for themselves and called it "PrettyOnes". It's been amazing to have so much attention.

What do you feel about artistes not interacting with their fans?
It's a brand yeah? And if the brand doesn't interact with the consumers, it's gonna collapse gradually. So I think having Don Jazzy around is the best, he talks to his fans like ever. So I see no reason to form. Fans make us who we are. 

So who is the official 'Prettyone'? 
*laughs* All of them are official pretty ones. For now, I just have my fans and my music. It will happen in the nearest future and they would know. 

What do you think about Piracy and Payola in the industry? 
Artistes are not given proper gratitude for their intellectual property. Because as a pirate, if I don't put out work, there's nothing for you to pirate. So I feel it's an unfortunate situation. But about payola, I think people that help artistes to blow, deserve to be appreciated. But for young artistes that do not have support, there should be a forum and avenue to encourage them. 

What do you think about Nigerians not wanting to pay for music or buy them online? 
Music is a channel into so many things. If you put your song on itunes for example, bloggers will still uploaded it for free download. So at the end of the day, itunes is just for the international community. People outside Nigeria will be able to have access to it. So I don't think selling music is for the Nigerian audience. 

Who is your celebrity crush? 
I've answered this question a million times, and it hasn't changed from Tiwa Savage. Then abroad, Brandy and Meagan Good. 

Who inspires you? 
Pastor Paul Adefarasin of House on the Rock, because of his high level of interest in excellence. And then Don Jazzy and 2baba of course. 


Which of your songs as been the hardest to work on?
It's just like asking a fish which part of water is the hardest to swim in. *laughs* None. Music is easy for me to do, because of my passion for it. 

What's your advice to young artiste? 
Stick to your craft, be excellent at it and soon, you will get 'a' Don Jazzy. Might not be 'the' Don Jazzy tho. *laughs* 

Thanks for your time. 
My pleasure. Big ups to nonstopgbedu for recognizing the brand Tolu. 





Listen to Tolu's new music, Jemapelle Tolu ft. BabyFresh below:

AUDIO DOWNLOAD: Tolu – Jemapelle Tolu ft. Babyfresh 

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