#ByeBye2016 ~ The Legends Are Passing The Torch – (Poetry + Pics)

Hello Friends,

Been a minute. Hope this blog post meets you in good health and great expectations for the coming new year. Compliments of the season to you.

2016 has been somehow somehow but we still give thanks to our Creator, we are alive to continue to pursue our passions and add value to the earth and fellow humanity.  This 2016 has seen a lot of deaths, famous people who have contributed their quota to life, old and young, some sadly gone too soon, people we know and people we don’t know. I believe our legends are passing the baton. Are you one of the ones to take it and keep the creativity flow going? Are you ready to create your own legacy, create something new, of value that you will be remembered for?  We’ve lost so many great ones this year. Especially in the arts and entertainment industry. Their works live on and their legacies remain in memoriam.

Below, I share with you a poem written by a talented young poet and master of words who I connected with on Facebook who goes by the pseudonym ‘Happy Prince’.  Read below, after this tribute video courtesy “Do You Remember?” Facebook page, which is a live video being updated as time goes by as we are sadly, being surprised daily of news of sudden deaths.  May the souls of the departed rest in peace. Amen!

Gone like the day,
Like its sun,
Your journey is like today,
Tomorrow it will not return,

Torn from existence,
Your race has known its end,
No matter the strength of resistance,
Your remains no longer on this air depend,

As you shook hands with death,
Your legend was born,
Ferried through all the earth,
Who says you are done,

Your light brightened the path of many,
Your voice knew no race,
You shared love with people diverse and plenty,
Leaving hatred no trace,

Let the sun shine,
Let the moon glow,
Let the birds travel at ‘half mast’ in a straight line,
Let the land whiten with snow,

Let eyes bleed tears,
Let voices shake with emotion,
Let dirges ring in both ears,
For another train has left the station,

You conquered though outnumbered,
We celebrate your bravery,
Your name will ever be remembered,
We will tell you’d story,

A story hot on history’s lips,
Generations will hear and learn,
The least of the secrets it keeps,
Even time will pen,

Rest in the light.

************** ************#Happy Prince ****************************

“no man is self-made” – Happy Prince

celebrities are fan-made, team work makes the dream work 

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On a beautiful note, I leave you with visuals of a round up photo shoot for 2016. Shot by budding Atlanta Photographer  – Simeon Fabunmi  and beautiful quotes to start off the new year.

I wish you the best of 2017 and may it be better than 2016! 

Simeon Fabunmi

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Beautifully Dreaming, Positively Doing… See you in 2017

xoxo

Tosinger

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Naija Chronicles and a New Release: 💭 SiLenT ThOuGhTs 💭 – #BringBackOurGirls

Hello Friends,

Heartwarming greetings from my African sunkissed heart to yours 🙂 and a Happy new month of August to you!

I just arrived from my home country of Nigeria the past month of July, promoting my debut album “Organically Singing”  and  garnering some press/media presence and on ground performances. Follow me at  @Tosinger on instagram  to have a sneak peak of that journey, see a few pics below. Thank God for His mercies, grace and favor and thank you Lagos for your hospitality.

Singing at Jazzhole, Lagos

Interview with Tosyn Bucknor of Top Radio 90.9 FM

Performing at Freedom Park, Lagos with Seun Olota

Interview with Harry Itie for TVC Channel “On The Town”

After radio interview with Olabisi Omidire of EkoFm

 

RhythmFM 93.7 interview on Celebrity Live Wednesday

With Etuk Ubong and the band at Jazzhole

I am also delighted to present to you a creative product of my visit to Nigeria which is officially released digitally today. I worked with the multitalented Producer/Musician – FloRocka– on my latest project, an audio drama/spoken word titled ‘Silent Thoughts’.

Meeting the talented Florocka 6 years after. Prior to this, 6 years ago, I did digital artist promotions and social media marketing for his very first project – The OverFlo

With Flo and Rapper DMSquared

‘Silent Thoughts‘ is an Audio Drama/Spoken Word/Storytelling Project with an afro-theatrical edge addressing the issues of our times. As a spoken form of art on a musical backdrop, ‘Silent Thoughts’ intends to provoke and inspire thought towards change. Things have been quiet lately about the Chibok Girls. Whatever happened to #BringBackOurGirls? What is currently happening?

Download here

Subscribe to my email list at www.tosinger.com  for a link to download on your mobile.

Watch ‘The Making’ of Silent Thoughts

In other news, do take a moment to read my interview with The Guardian NG

Thanks for your love and support.

Blessings to you and yours this new month and beyond!

Beautifully Dreaming, Positively Doing…
Tosinger
Singer I Songwriter I Storyteller

Artivist mode 🙂

Dare To Be Daring – #YourTurnChallenge Day 6

This is Day 6  of the #YourTurnChallenge, an initiative to practice the art of shipping by writing one blog post every day for a week.

As a child I stuck my finger in fire

Just to know how ‘hot’ heat is

Broke open a living, breathing snail

Just to see what goes on inside, within

I’m the cat that curiosity never killed

The lioness that ate more than meat

The thirst for adventure will continue for life

I’ll dare to venture from time to time

Crossing boundary lines of creativity

Breaking rules like Picasso’s artistry

I’ll dare to be different in my chosen ways

Some restrictions may not allow it again and again

But I’ll do what I can with what I have

Until it’s time to throw caution to the wind

And skydive off the edge of a very high cliff 🙂

 

Beautifully Dreaming… Positively Doing

Tosinger

Artist Spotlight: @KomiOlaf – ‘Art is Life’

Ontario, Canada based multi-talented artist of Nigerian heritage,  Komi Olafimihan’s  unique conceptual work is beyond the ordinary. His work speaks of very detailed stories as he incorporates his architectural knowledge, artistic flair and mental depth  to create masterpieces that are an expression of his ingenious mind, the astute creative that he is.

He says “Art is Life”…

About Komi Olaf – Artist – Poet – Architect

Komi Olaf is a visual artist and poet currently living in Toronto. As a master’s graduate of Carleton University’s School of Architecture, his training as an architect directly influences his draftsmanship and manipulation of light and space. His work is based primarily in acrylic and explores the dialogue created through the juxtaposition of images concepts and identities.

His works have been featured in shows at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto and the National Arts Center in Ottawa. He has also received several awards pertaining to his works including the Empowerment and Success Award presented by the then Governor General of Canada Michaelle Jean in 2010 and the Student Award for excellence presented by the Canadian Architect Magazine in 2009.

Komi is a strong believer in the synonyms that exists between images, philosophies and concepts.

Artist Statement

My work is an extension of who I am. A direct representation of my character and experiences. While I was completing a Masters in Architecture, I developed a passion for both painting and poetry and I have been on a mission to fuse these three elements ever since.

Drawing from the various skills and techniques I have been acquiring over the years, I strive to create unique, inspirational and original work that captures the history of African people and the mind-set of the younger generation. As a Canadian immigrant and a Nigerian in Diaspora, I tend to focus my art on the juxtaposition of unrelated images to produce new meaning. My personal experiences such as the religious conflicts plaguing Nigeria have also had an impact on the work I create.

Ultimately, I would love my work to offer insight into the thoughts of the new generation of artists emerging out of the Diaspora. I want to tell a different story with my work, one that captures the complexities of my African and Canadian heritage as well as sparks the conversations that can inspire change and build a bridge of unity.

Some of his works that caught my eye 

From the Afro Collection

Afromobile – Komi Olaf

‘Speak it into existence’ – Komi Olaf

Touch Music Emcee E Art by Komi Olaf

Cross Section Of the AFROpuf – Komi Olaf

Self Portrait – Komi Olaf

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From the “Angels of Music” Collection – The Queens by Komi Olaf

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And I remember this one of ‘Kermit the Frog’ going viral on instagram, turned into several memes by internet users, such a great discovery to know  who the original artist is.

Sesame Street collection. Igwe by Komi Olaf

Komi Olaf. Spoken Word – Love

For more info and to stay updated on Komi Olaf’s projects –

• www.komiolaf.com

  http://instagram.com/komiolaf

  Twitter @komiolaf

  Facebook – Komi Olaf

  Email – komi.olaf@gmail.com

  Beautifully Dreaming… Positively Doing…

  Tosinger

Three Nigerian Friends & Their Tedx Talks Worth Sharing

I am inspired to present to you, my fellow Nigerians who are doing great things, expressing their talents and walking in their callings, in their different spheres of influence in the diaspora. They were recently recognized to give Ted Talks in their respective resident cities.

I have interacted with them over time and I am surely blessed to ‘know’ them. I call them my ‘social media comrades’ and hopefully I believe, Deo Volente, we shall cross paths in real life.  Get acquainted, watch and be inspired.

Here’s presenting Yejide Kilanko, Ayokunle Falomo and Kafayat Quadri and their inspirational talks on TedX

Yejide Kilanko – Canada

Born in Ibadan, Nigeria, Yejide Kilanko is a writer of poetry, fiction and a therapist in children’s mental health. A mother and wife, she currently lives with her family in Chatham, Ontario.Yejide’s debut novel, Daughters Who Walk This Path, a national bestseller, was published by Penguin Canada, April 2012 and Pintail Books (Penguin USA) January 2013.

The novel has been translated into German and Thai.In 2012, Yejide was named one of the top five hottest up-and-comers on the Canadian writing scene by the Globe and Mail. Her next book, A Deep and Distant Shore, is forthcoming from Penguin Canada, winter 2015.

www.yejidekilanko.com

 

Ayokunle Falomo – Houston, Texas

writer. storyteller. dreamer. poet – whose pen is a metaphor for a shovel, to unearth those things that make us: human.

“So, what brought you here?”, or the more direct variant “Why are you here?”, is a question I’ve been asked quite a bit. I’ll attempt to answer that briefly but I’m sure there will be more to talk about. It started with a move here to the United States with my Dad, November of 2007 after the completion of my high school education in Nigeria.I graduated from the University of Houston in the Fall of 2012 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology (minor in Medicine and Society) with the intention of pursuing Clinical Psychology. Life had different plans however. Close to the time of applying for Graduate School, I found out about & switched interests to School Psychology (which I currently pursue at Sam Houston State University). When I’m not doing any Psychology related stuff, I write & perform poems that attempt to answer yet another question “what makes us human?”

| Blog: #ofDreamsAndDeeds
about.me/AFalomo

 

Kafayat Quadri – Malaysia

Kafayat Quadri started playing guitar at the age of 13 years. Her father, a land surveyor introduced her to the guitar since she was 6 years old. He later bought her a mouth organ which he taught her how to play. He played tunes from Rex Lawson, Fela Anikulapo Kuti and Haruna Ishola on the guitar and mouth organ sometimes accompanied with the talking drum.
Kafayat’s first guitar performance was at her secondary school (FGGC, Shagamu) in 1996 at the school’s Annual Musical Concert…

Kafayat Quadri – Guitarist, Poet, Singer/Songwriter. Connect at https://www.facebook.com/KM.Quadri

Beautifully Dreaming.. Positively Doing…

xoxo

Tosinger

A Valentine Playlist and More..

Happy Valentine’s Day All

If you are not particularly bothered about the overrated ceremonial aspect of the card giving, chocolate eating and champagne sipping  candle-lit dinners, at least you will relate to the theme of Love.  Love in all forms that is. Love is all about compassion, giving, kindness to yourself first, and then to others ( see the previous post) . Long and short of it,  love God who created you, love  yourself very, very well first,  so you can love others freely also. The true meaning of Love? See below

and  as customary on seasonal occasions, here is a selection of 7 songs/music for your enjoyment.

This UB40 song  I will be doing a cover of tonight at this event. So if you are in Atlanta. Come on out to Ike’s Cafe and Grill

love
ləv/
noun
an intense feeling of deep affection.
compassion, care, caring, regard, solicitude, concern, friendliness, friendship, kindness, charity, goodwill, sympathy, kindliness, altruism, unselfishness, philanthropy, benevolence, fellow feeling, humanity, infatuated with, besotted with, enamored of, smitten with, consumed with desire for;
captivated by, bewitched by, enthralled by, entranced by, moonstruck by;
a great interest and pleasure in something.
synonyms:    care very much for, feel deep affection for, hold very dear, adore, think the world of, be devoted to, dote on,

Here is an interesting  poem by  Anthony BlackRooney

A CHINESE THEMED VALENTINE by BlackRooney

MI: MY NAME IS “MI” AND YOURS IS “YU”. WHAT’S MINE IS YOURS AND YOURS, MINE

YU: MY DARLING MI, YOU ARE MY WORLD, I LOVE YOU MI, YES YU LOVES MI

MI: THROUGH THE HIGHS AND LOWS AND THICK AND THIN. MY HEART WILL BEAT FOR YU ONLY

YU: I LOVE YOU TOO, MI AND YU TOGETHER IN PERFECT HARMONY

Join me on a Google Hangout at 12pm EST. Video will be available for replay if you miss it. I will be discussing with some other wonderful bloggers on the ‘Metamorphosis of Love’

Join our ‘Metamorphosis of Love’ hangout on Valentine’s Day

The topic to be discussed is the metamorphosis or evolution – if you will – of love or its perception from the African woman’s context. What were you taught about love as a young woman, and how did those concepts change if at all in various stages of life and with different experiences?

https://plus.google.com/u/0/112116802157774028947/posts

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Beautifully Dreaming… Positively Doing..

xoxo

Tosinger

Join our ‘Metamorphosis of Love’ hangout on Valentine’s Day

Our next hangout takes place this Friday, 14th February at 17:00 GMT.

The topic to be discussed is the metamorphosis or evolution – if you will – of love or its perception from the African woman’s context. What were you taught about love as a young woman, and how did those concepts change if at all in various stages of life and with different experiences?

Facilitator – Malaka (Ghana/US)

Her fab guests are:
Tosinger (Nigeria/US) Listen to her music via http://www.afrodreaming.com/home.html
Rambling Roomates (Ghana) Read their blog http://loveafrican.wordpress.com/
Tiffany (South Africa/Kenya) Check out the site she curates http://holaafrica.org/tag/holaa/
Ngosa (Zambia)Visit her blog http://mwanabaafrika.blogspot.com/

– See more at: http://adventuresfrom.com/2014/02/11/join-our-metamorphosis-of-love-hangout-on-valentines-day.html#sthash.SnJn1hjx.dpuf

Photos and Haikus IV

Hi Friends,

It’s been a minute on the Photos and Haikus Series. Here goes feature IV on photos from another London based Photographer Femi Anifalaje of  ShotByFemo whose portraits, street photography and structural captures are one of a kind. His Instagram is quite whimsical too and can be followed here .

This one was originally titled ‘The Imperfect Dance’ so I decided to feed off that.

The Imperfect Dance

Rhythm of love, no color

And the beat goes on

If Jesus was black

With a ‘fro so big as mine

Would he look like this?

The thoughts of a man

Known to him and him alone

Life’s Escalators

For more of ShotbyFemo ‘s Photography like his FB page here

Beautifully Dreaming.. Positively Doing..

xoxo

Tosinger

Photos & Haikus III

Happy new year Friends..

Ring out false pride in place and blood …. The civic slander and the spite… Ring in the love of truth and right… Ring in the common love of good.

A verse from “Ring Out, Wild Bells” , a New Year’s poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson.

Here’s Photos and Haikus III with photos that signify new beginnings, the rising of a new dawn. Enjoy and be inspired.

Photo by Femi Onatuga London, UK

These are works of Femi Onatuga, a photographer based in London, UK known for his scenic and wedding photography.

Here bursts the  Sun Rise

Calm start to a year of light

Peaceful  beginnings

Sweet red Morning Rose

Fragrant and fresh, nature’s scent

Bloom, beautiful year

Hand in hand we go

Uncertain of the future

Love will lead the way

Click the photo below to see more of Femi’s work

His instagram is also delightful at

http://instagram.com/femionatuga

Big Ben, London, UK

Beautifully Dreaming… Positively Doing…

xoxo

Tosinger

Photos & Haikus II

Hi Everyone,

Hope you had a great week so far and the weekend is looking good already. Here’s presenting Photos & Haikus II. These are shots from a photographer friend of mine, YinkaStudio based in New York ‘ {Chocolate Photography}  Here goes 3 photo selections for my haikus. Enjoy!

Cute baby alert

Chubby cheeks and smile so sweet

Light in his bright eyes 

Sweet creamy cookies

Tummy leaps for sugar treats

Delicious rainbows

Oh the book of love

Your name and mine I do see

I smile as you read

Click the photo below for more of Yinka Studio’s work

Click here for Photos & Haikus I

Until my next post,

Beautifully Dreaming, Positively Doing…

xoxo

Tosinger

Photos and Haikus I

Light and Love on your Sundays Beautiful People..

Once in a while, I’ll put together a few captivating shots I come across and use my gift of words & poetry to complement them while drawing attention to the work of these wonderful artists/photographers . I’ve always had this nifty idea and with the blog, I can now put it to expression..I tag the ongoing series “Photos & Haikus”

I started writing haikus as a pre-teen up until my post-grad college days at the University of Nottingham, UK. The creativity involved eased those lonely, melancholic moments of the life of an international student 🙂

hai·ku

ˈhīˌko͞o,ˌhīˈko͞o/

noun

Haikus – I call it a lightweight form of poetry, but its not as lightweight as it seems. It’s actually, mostly full of depth as it takes a lot more creativity/ thought process to put together due to the structural  limitations re-syllables, word count while wanting to maintain depth and meaning as much as possible

So my pictorial muse for today’s post is Daniel Emeka’s work (Digital & Graphic Artist).  Male Model: Daniel Emeka himself, Female Model- Merit Iwute, Photography by Timmy Davies.Art Direction: Daniel Emeka.  And these are 3 picks from his project titled ‘‘THE HUSTLE”

I will let my haiku {for each of the three photos I selected} speak for them.

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High heat in Lagos

Pure water like soul music

A cool refresher

She sees the future

through dreamy eyes of beauty

 tomato hue lips

As the sun sets low 

He sees as her eyes drops so

to love or to hold

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Hope you enjoyed it. For more of Daniel Emeka’s work. Click here

And  I’ll leave you with this joke 😀

Beautifully Dreaming, Positively Doing..

xoxo

Tosinger

(Disclaimer: this is not an official endorsement  but an outlet to foster and appreciate  creative expression and talents. Endorsement posts will be categorized as so)