TOSINGER RELEASES A NEW EP TITLED ‘ODE TO ACCRA’

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
From America to Africa, warm welcoming melodies ring true in a new 3-track EP released by Atlanta based Afrofolk/Afrosoul Nigerian Singer-Songwriter, TOSINGER. The new EP titled ‘Ode to Accra’ was birthed and recorded in Accra during a 3 day sojourn. It was inspired by the vibe and love for the city and her people.

The intro on the EP pays homage to Mama Africa, the Motherland, reflecting the sounds of Accra, rightly tagged “City Vibrations”. Track 2 – “Find Your Way Back Home ft Bubunaé” is a folksy acoustic number, a gentle plea to all to connect back “home” and on Track 3 “Se Daadaa Le Wa?” produced by Kunle Kuti which he laced with highlife guitar riffs, Tosinger’s vocals pierces through diasporic time and space as she checks on her audience in her native tongue of Yoruba .. singing “Se Daadaa Le Wa?” which means “Are you doing alright?”.

Ghanaian music artist, Bubunaé who co-wrote and featured on vocals on Track 2 also executively produced the project with Decorusbeats as the music producer. ‘Ode to Accra’ was officially released on June 21st, 2021 and is currently available on all digital platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Bandcamp, Amazon, Tidal etc.

See https://linktr.ee/tosinger for download and streaming options.

Tosinger · Ode To Accra EP

ABOUT TOSINGER
Atlanta based Afrosoul/Afrofolk Indie Singer-Songwriter TOSINGER, has been singing for more than two decades in Nigeria, the UK and now in the US. With a couple of published works to her name, her music displays a heartfelt conveyance of originality and inspirational lyrics.
Tosinger expresses an afrocentric sublime musical flow that is soulful and folksy, sometimes jazzy, with subliminal messages incorporating her Yoruba language and cultural sounds which sits her comfortably in the world music space.
An eclectic artist in her own right, Tosinger is also an actress and an event curator.
For more info, please visit http://www.tosinger.com
Twitter and Instagram @Tosinger

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AfroQueen of the LapSteel Guitar?

Lap Steel

Lap Steel

Lap Steel

Lap Steel

Lap Steel

Lap Steel

Lap Steel

Lap Steel Guitar

Lap steel guitar
The lap steel guitar is a type of steel guitar which is typically played with the instrument in a horizontal position on the performer’s lap or otherwise supported. The performer changes pitch by pressing a metal or glass bar against the strings as opposed to a traditional guitar where the performer’s fingertips press the strings against frets. The bar placed against the strings is called a “steel” or “tone bar”. – Wiki

My name is Tosinger. I am a Nigerian singer/songwriter based in Atlanta, Georgia.

I believe I will be the first Nigerian female artist to learn, write songs and perform with the Lap Steel Guitar otherwise known as the Hawaiian Guitar.  Please let me know of any contentions in the comment section. I am writing this post just to register it on the blogosphere,  internet and digital world.

I did not pick up this instrument to be a first of anything. I already could play some other instruments on the basic level including the talking drum, acoustic guitar and keyboard by ear. I picked it because I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. I have always love the sound of it in Nigerian Juju music as made popular by King Sunny Ade. Read more about it here as to how and who started playing it in Lagos, Nigeria. I felt one with it and at  home with it. It is said to be more challenging but I find it more comfortable for me, even more so than the acoustic. Before my legendary beloved musical Papa Majek Fashek passed, he made me promise him that I will pick up the guitar and focus on it as my main instrument. I will fulfill this promise in his memory.

Lap steel is widely used in American folk, country, western and blues music. Here is a list of only five female country music players, all white, that I could find on the web that play the lap steel.  I googled “female lap steel guitarists” and didn’t see a single black woman.  Googled some more and this article showed a more diverse list, albeit very inspiring pioneers, still no Black/African (See link -> https://sheshreds.com/issue-13-history-steel-guitar/#comment-48321) even no mention of those from the sacred steel music tradition.  I do not see them on the mainstream scene. There are many other types of guitars and numerous wonderful female players but not of the lap steel, which may be considered obsolete but not on my watch.

I pay homage to Sister Rosetta Tharpe  the Godmother of RocknRoll  considered the first  black female guitarist and Peggy Jones aka Lady Bo  the Queen Mother of Guitar, one of the first (perhaps the first) female rock guitarists in a highly visible rock band, Bo Diddley’s band (Wiki)

Big ups to Fatoumata Diawara on the electric and Helen Ibe also representing Africa nicely on her guitar with the younger afrobeats millenial generation.

I documented my growing journey via Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and Twitter with albeit amateur mobile videos, days 1-30. I am 43 as at 2020 when I focused on the lap steel.  I challenged to touch it for 30 days consecutively, even after 30 days, a day will  not go by (until the day that I leave this earth) that I will not touch the lap steel except for absolutely unavoidable reasons.

I hope to bless the world with new songs written on it and play and perform and warm hearts with it as long as I do music. So help me God.

Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk 🙂 . Check out my home on the web at http://www.tosinger.com for more about me and my music.

Love, Peace and Beautiful Music,

Tosinger

MY FIRST LAP STEEL GUITAR

MY FIRST BABY, MY FIRST LAP STEEL GUITAR. I CHOSE THE COLOR RED  BECAUSE I WANTED TO FEEL EMPOWERED AS I LEARN IT.

Update

So I continue to dig deeper, haven’t found an African/Nigerian yet, but I found this African American sister, Nikki Brown, and I daresay there might be  more in the church that play the type of lap steel called “Sacred Steel” of the Sacred Steel tradition of COGIC.

BLOG REPOST – Tosinger releases new single “LA MUSICO”

 

Tosinger releases New Single “LA MUSICO” Afrosouljazz Singer Songwriter Tosinger just released a feel good Latin jazz vibe song that is pleasing to the ears and light to the soul.  It is titled “La Musico” which she says is a song about the joys of music. According to Tosinger, “La Musico” doesn’t necessarily derive from any language in particular even though the first thought would be Spanish. ‘Music-o’ is actually a play on the word “Music” characteristic of African/Nigerian expression of emphasis, i.e always adding “o” to the end of a word or phrase as can also be heard in some parts of the verse of the song. ‘Musico’ however upon research, is literally derivative of an Italian word meaning “expert musician” so it all works. And “La” is just well, what it is, “La”, it works well as a referential preposition and also as Tosinger adds, if you want to hum to music you sing – “La, la, la” :), so it’s all in relation to and about music. The music of the song was produced by versatile Bossbeats of Soundxtreem Studios, and written, arranged and performed by the talented Tosinger herself. Yemi Conga played the live percussions and Funsho Pitan played live on the bass guitar. This will be Tosinger’s 2nd single of the year, the first one was “Heaven Knows” released January 2017 to usher in the new year and ‘La Musico’ nicely rounds it up on a good note and will obviously be a classic for all times. ‘La Musico’ can be downloaded on Bandcamp (and will also be available on all digital platforms including iTunes, Amazon, Soundcloud, Spotify etc) The lyric video featuring dancer and actor Femi Olagoke will be released on YouTube on November 7, 2017. More about Tosinger at www.tosinger.com Follow @Tosinger on social media Listen, Share and Download below– —Thanks for supporting good music.  LA MUSICO by Tosinger http://www.tosinger.bandcamp.com LA MUSICO by Tosinger

 

 

TOSINGER: The ‘Organically Singing’ AfroSoul and AfroFolk Queen of Dreams — afrocipha

My music is inspirational. Genre wise, my style is African, roots, ethnic, folksy and soulful with a contemporary edge. I incorporate my native Yoruba language in my songs. I am from Ogun State Nigeria, West Africa, currently based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. … Tosinger Oluwatosin [in her native Yoruba language Tosin means God is worthy to […]

via TOSINGER: The ‘Organically Singing’ AfroSoul and AfroFolk Queen of Dreams — afrocipha

New Music Video Alert – African Nostalgia

Hello Tribe and Friends,

Hope this meets you well.

Here’s presenting the latest video to one of my favorite songs from my Organically Singing Debut Album – ‘African Nostalgia‘ . I have always had an affinity for anything nostalgic, classic or vintage.. I know there are many songs out there that talk about ‘Home’ from ‘homesick’ artists and musicians based in the diaspora, this proves that it’s a general feeling that is easily  relatable for those who live abroad and not just only them, but everyone in general, within or outside the continent, with memories of throwbacks. It is our job as music healers to make this feeling manageable (or incite-able) through our art. There have always been songs on this subject and there will always be in the future. As a diasporan artist,  I particularly have a strong default passion and deep emotion towards the concept of our “roots” and inclination towards “home longing songs”  and I have a lot of memories that guide me on this creative path, this is what also led to my songwriting and storytelling of the ‘African Nostalgia’ song. Click video below —:::

The African Nostalgia music visual is basically a musical imagery and storytelling of some experiences of my childhood and activities I observed growing up in my Grandma’s house in Abeokuta city, Ogun State, Nigeria ; from the sounds I heard, to the people I saw and my environment in general. You’ll have to listen to grasp it and maybe you can recognize a thing or two if you are from a similar background. This video was shot on a hot sunny day, while hiking miles up the Kennesaw mountain in Georgia. I wanted that picturesque green scenic scene that reminded me of the lushness of the African continent, I was not glamorously dressed or anything like that, typical of a music video; it was just simple, an everyday capture and I was comfy (apart from the bugs and sweat :)) ) within my environmental element.

I love Nature. I love Africa. I love Music. I love Art. I love Nature. Oh I think I said that already :). I am definitely a nature’s girl and I believe it’s a God given therapeutic environment which we should use more of, and also conserve and treat kindly.  You should try having nature walks when you are stressed. I (and Lloyd the videographer) were sweating like Christmas goats, climbing up the mountain, huffing and puffing, I had a couple of wardrobe malfunctions but we still tried to pull it off 😀 so just like the album title, this is as raw and organic as it comes 🙂 and I hope you enjoy it.

I want to particularly thank two musical powerhouses who collaborated with me on this song, who I’ve not met but we connected across borders to bring this to life. The talented Ivorien bassist Arnaud N’Gaza  based in Morroco and Daniel N’Guessan, percussionist/drummer also from Cote D’Ivoire. My gratitude goes to Zambian Photographer and budding Filmmaker, Lloyd Mackayi, who I met at TERRA COTTA ATL, who shot the video. Despite being independent and on a shoestring budget, I’ve been blessed to attract, albeit virtually, and connect with fellow talented and beautifully spirited, understanding creatives and  individuals who come across my creative path and space. For this I am grateful. And I hope to come across more in my lifetime.

I hope you appreciate and enjoy the video, or in one way or the other, in some way, relate to it. Please feel free to like, share and comment and subscribe to my new TosingerVEVO channel where I intend to release bit by bit, concept videos of my musical body of work.

Stay purposeful, healthy and relevant.

Love, Peace and Beautiful Music,

Organically Yours, Tosinger

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SPECIAL FEATURE: “I will always remain an advocate for the indigenous…” – Tosinger

Thanks for the interview.

HIGHFLYERS ARENA

Atlanta-based Nigerian Afrosoul/Folk/Jazz singer, Songwriter and Storyteller has been singing for more than two decades at festivals, intimate music spaces, concerts, churches, events and in theater, during her years in London, as a member of the vocal ensemble of select Broadway shows including ‘GodSpell’ and ‘Rent’. Tosinger comes with a musical flow that’s as soulful and ethnic as it is a sheer loveliness of heavenly inspiration. Her vocal essence and sound has been described as soothing and uplifting and her voice displays a simple conveyance of heartfelt richness. An eclectic artist with a warm personality and matchless passion, she names her African heritage, Ambient, Worship Music, World Music, Folk, Soul & Jazz as influencing her musical creativity. She also mentions legendary artistes such as Miriam Makeba, Nina Simone, Angelique Kidjo, Sade Adu and Tracy Chapman among others as influences. Tosinger is unique in her compositions as she occasionally incorporates her…

View original post 1,043 more words

New Music – Heaven Knows by ✿ TOSINGER ✿ ft Mr Brown

Hello again and welcome to 2017!

I wish you a year more fulfilling and in every way better than 2016. Stay focused, stay vigilant, stay positive.

Here’s a musical offering from me to you to set you on the right inspirational note for the year. It’s titled “Heaven Knows” , chorus inspired by Osibisa’s “We are going” 1971 track. I heard the voice of Mr Brown, the male vocals you will hear on the song as a feature on Casey Ed’s song “Hear Me Now”, both of these talented young men are doing great things musically in Nigeria.

As soon as I heard Brown’s voice, I knew I had to get him on a track. We were able to work it out virtually within a few days despite a few challenges. So here I leave with you “Heaven Knows”, keep pushing, keep working hard, keep praying, God’s got your back, Heaven knows you will get there.

Stay blessed in 2017 and beyond! Download here and please do share. Merci Beaucoup!

 Stream on SoundCloud

 

For Media and Press

Media Alert

 New Music Release – Heaven Knows by ✿ TOSINGER ✿ ft Mr Brown

Atlanta based Singer/Songwriter & the Queen of afrosoulful nostalgia, Tosinger releases “Heaven Knows” ft the very soulful voice of Nigerian Producer/Singer/Songwriter ~ Mr Brown. A new song to usher in the new year for the goal setters, the dreamers and the world changers, ‘Heaven Knows’ is a song of faith and destiny. It features a sampled chorus of Ghana’s Osibisa’s Woyaa yaa (We are going) released in 1971. Tosinger is known for her inclination for afro~folklore and classics while incorporating lyrics with Yoruba proverbs and sayings on a contemporary musical platform. The song aims to set the tone right for 2017 on a positive, inspirational note, that all things are possible and freedom (in all sense of the word) is inevitable at the end, only if you believe. Connect with @Tosinger on all social media (Instagram, Twitter) and www.tosinger.com. Mr Brown can be found at @BrownSoul1 On Instagram Download mp3 here

 Beautifully Dreaming, Positively Doing..

Tosinger

Exclusive Interview with the Eclectic Woman of Art, Musician, Writer and Storyteller, TOSINGER!

funtaqa

She is the  definition of true beauty, deep in thought and delivery. All you need is an opportunity to engage her. She’s got the warmest, sweetest personality that rejuvenates your belief in humanity once more.

This lady relates her own way and we make bold to say “it’s the ideal way for humans to engage one another”.

Ladies and gentlemen, please meet the eclectic woman of art, musician, writer and storyteller, TOSINGER!

funTAQA caught up with her when she visited Nigeria recently and she’s got quite some gist for her fans.

Excerpts below: 

How long have you been into the music business?

Professionally? Since 2003, so about 13 years now. Before then, as a little girl growing up, I’ve always sang in church and any platform of opportunity I find to use my voice.

What are you listening to lately?

Depends on my mood per time, but currently it’s a…

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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 🙂

TOSINGER ANNOUNCES THE RELEASE OF HER DEBUT STUDIO ALBUM ‘ORGANICALLY SINGING’

Mi2N.com – TOSINGER ANNOUNCES THE RELEASE OF HER DEBUT STUDIO ALBUM ‘ORGANICALLY SINGING’.

Following the release of an EP of 6 tracks titled ‘FINALLY’ in 2012 and the AfroSpire Demo in 2013; Tosinger, Atlanta based, Nigerian AfroSoulFolk Inspirational Singer-Songwriter known for her unique afro eclectic brand image and sublime soulful voice, is set to officially launch her debut album ‘Organically Singing’ on July 27, 2015. Two years in the making and highly anticipated by fans, it will be available to the public on all major digital outlets and physical copies can be purchased at http://www.tosinger.com beginning August 31, 2015. Tosinger has been following a professional music path as a solo artist for more than a decade spanning three different continents (Africa, Europe and currently the USA) supporting other acts, performing at events, churches and theatrical creative productions including being part of vocal ensembles of a few London Broadway shows. Tosinger recently opened for International legendary African artist ‘Lagbaja’ at the notable Variety Playhouse Atlanta, during his 2015 US Tour, doing a couple of her originals from her new, debut album. She will kick off a tour series nationally and internationally, beginning September 2015 to promote the album. Stay tuned to http://www.tosinger.com for dates. Tosinger says the title of the album ‘Organically Singing’ derives its inspiration for her preference for the use of her natural, organic voice and the healthy, lyrical content of her songs to uplift her audience, spirit and soul. Delivered with a soulful vibe with an incorporation of Afro musical flavors and a sprinkle of her Yoruba language; the 16 track album includes original songs written and arranged by Tosinger herself, with a collaborative production effort with various international musicians/producers including (to name a few) Morocco based, Cameroonian Bassist – Arnaud N’Gaza, DC based Nigerian Producer – Lexisugar and the legendary Yoruba Musician/Producer Mr Bola Abimbola who has worked with King Sunny Ade & Giovanni Hidalgo among others. The album, recorded and mixed at Sound Resort Studios & FCR Studios, Atlanta and mastered by Last Drop in California, have the themes – ‘Of Faith, Of Life and Of Africa’ and includes an instrumental prelude and a bonus track, a 360° remix of the current fan favorite; ‘Ile – Home’. Tosinger incorporates a unique interpretation of a few traditional well known Yoruba folk songs on a contemporary musical platform. Her music displays a simple conveyance of heartfelt richness, inspiration, meaningful lyrics and nostalgia. A must have album for lovers of good indie music. The album sampler can be previewed at this link https://soundcloud.com/tosinger/organically-singing-album-sampler. About TOSINGER Atlanta based Afrosoul/Afrofolk Indie Singer-Songwriter has been singing for more than two decades at festivals, intimate music spaces, churches, theatre stages, events during her years in Nigeria and London, respectively. Tosinger comes with a musical flow that’s as soulful and ethnic as it is a sheer loveliness of heavenly inspiration. Her vocal essence and sound has been described as soothing and uplifting and her voice displays a simple conveyance of heartfelt richness. An eclectic artist with a warm personality and matchless passion, she names her African (Nigerian/Yoruba) heritage, Gospel Music, World Music, Soul, Folk & Jazz as influences. She also mentions legendary artistes such as Miriam Makeba, Nina Simone, Angelique Kidjo, Sade Adu and Tracy Chapman among others as creative influences. Tosinger is unique in her creativity as she occasionally incorporates her Yoruba language to the contemporary soul, sometimes jazzy/folksy sound of her music. She released ‘FINALLY’ an EP of 6 tracks early 2012 and in 2013 digitally published – The ‘AfroSpire’ Demo – a collection of songs with African sounds, Yoruba sayings and lyrics on a contemporary musical platform. Her debut album ‘Organically Singing’ will be available July 2015. Tosinger is very much on her way to warming herself into the hearts of lovers of organic music globally as she continues to brand herself in the Afrosoul/world music scene while her message remains consistently inspirational. For more info, please visit http://www.tosinger.com