Musical Footprints: Pioneer TEDx Music Performer at the inaugural TEDx Atlanta Women Event – SOAR ’22

Eight years ago, I wrote a blog post on “Three Nigerian friends and their TEDx Talks worth sharing” little did I know that I will be gracing a TEDx stage myself under monumental circumstances. Monumental because this will be the first ever curated TEDx Women event in Atlanta. Usually for a TED or TEDx event, speakers and performers apply and go through a screening and selection process, so I consider it a divinely destined blessing because on the contrary, I was “discovered” through a social media post comment by TEDx Atlanta curator, Jacqui Chew (Thanks Mark Zuckerberg 🙂 ) and thankfully my brand presence and the work that I’d already put out (Consistency is key) contributed to a positive outcome.

So here I was, in a short time span, I was Jacqui’s answer to her last minute prayer. I joined a formidable and impressive speaker roster of 10, I became number 11, not as a Speaker or a Performing Speaker but as a Performer. Alongside these powerful group of female changemakers, I will inspire an audience through songs, to spread their wings to build a more inclusive and equitable world where girls and women can truly soar.

I chose a fan favorite , “Ile” (Home) and to inspire in line of the theme to “SOAR”, I would close out the event with a “grand finale” performance. I chose to specifically write a song for this purpose titled “Loke Loke” which means “Higher Higher” in my Yoruba language. The video is published here. Grateful to have the musical support of my ABiKE Music duo partner, legendary Bayo Bello on keys and steel pan, a unique addition. Here is our Ile (Home) Performance below, please like and drop a comment. My little intro speech that’s missing is here or scan the QR code below to listen

Thankful for the lovely women I met at this event, the very professional TEDx team and grateful and blessed to be part of making history.
TEDxAtlanta is coming back to the Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University. When: Friday, Mar 17, 2023
Theme: We, rise. More info here

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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

First Episode, New Webisode – Tales With Tosinger

Greetings everyone,

It’s been a minute and here is what I’ve been working on. I sing, I write, I act and I tell stories. I am a modern day griot and a cultural ambassador and my name is Tosinger. 🙂

Here’s introducing,  the first vlog/webisode/series, whatever you choose to call it, edition of my weekly (on Tuesdays)  folk storytelling project- TALES WITH TOSINGER,

Folk tales and fables are an educational and entertaining means of passing down traditions and customs from one generation to the next. An African tradition for several generations,  adults would tell tales by the moonlight while teaching morals and lessons. I have chosen to gather adults and children alike around a social app, a youtube video, the millennial way to get the world’s attention 😉

The inspiration….

Enjoy Episode #001 Dawu the Lion King.  DO SUBSCRIBE, like, comment and spread the word. Ese!  ( pronounced “E-shay ” — which means ‘Thank you’ in Yoruba)

✿

Beautifully Dreaming, Positively Doing,

Tosinger

Afrodreamfest NYC 2015 Review by #VoiceOfAmerica (@VOANews) & #AIT (@AIT_Online) Journalist – Adanma Odefa (@AOdefa)

Afrodreamfest has come and gone but the glorious aftermath still linger in the hearts and souls of the attendees . Afrodreamfest, a touring concert to celebrate African Liberation Day ( #AfricaDay  May 25) and promote upcoming talented neo~afro fusion artists in the diaspora took place this year (May 22 at Meridian 23 and May 23 at Silvana Harlem)  in the vibrant city that never sleeps – New York City. It featured an eclectic line up of artists including myself (Afrosoul), Ayanbinrin – the female talking drummer (Afrofolk), Ogasilachi (AfroRnB), Eli Fola (AfroJazz), Laolu and The Afromysterics (Afrobeat), Aduke (Afrosoul) and bonus features Afro pop artistes – Ayo In Motion and Na!ra. To promote the event, you can also watch my Sahara radio interview with the Humble Prince here 

Below is a heartfelt review by International Journalist Adanma Odefa in the selfie below 🙂

Adanma and Tosinger

 

Afrodreamfest Experience in New York City

When a friend of mine told me about the Afrodreamfest in New York City, my first reaction was, ‘I might as well have an adventure, I’ve got nothing else to do!’. So I packed up and went to New York City from Washington DC not really expecting much. Although I had been in New York previously, the city didn’t fail in keeping me on my toes. Finally, we made it to Chelsea where the concert was holding.

Ogasilachi

Laolu

My first thought was, ‘wow! What strong vocals! What powerful lyrics! What artistic sincerity!‘. This was the reaction the young lady Aduke evoked when she sang. Reeling from that, I sailed through several other performances including the beautiful ‘Naira’ who struck me as sleek, chic and distinct with her rap style. Naira effortlessly executed a marriage of American rap culture and African uniqueness.

Aduke

Na!ra

The icing on cake for me was Ayanbirin. She has such a presence on stage that depicts Africanism in a way that was almost tangible. I gawked in awe as she dominated every single person in the room. Her power was all the more enchanting with her backup drummer and sidekick. Day one ended with dancing and exhaustion. I went back to my lodgings wondering what day two would bring.

Ayanbinrin

By the end of day two, I was glad it was a two-day event. I had missed some of the performances from day one so I got the experience of fresh excitement. It was on this day that I got the opportunity of falling under the musical enchantress’s spell. Tosinger endeared me with her beautiful all African costume and her lively stage presence. Day two icing on the cake for me was AyoInMotion. I am not trustful of my capacity to put into words the powerful emotions this artist invoked in me. He reached deep into my soul and pulled out all things African within me and left me feeling sad for those who are unable to claim African roots.

Tosinger

Ayo in motion

Altogether, Afrodreamfest was precisely a dreamy artistic romance with Africa. I look forward to the next one with a barely contained feverish excitement.

Adanma Odefa
International Journalist,
Voice of America.

To see videos, do visit https://www.youtube.com/user/AfroDreamFest

For photos visit, click https://www.facebook.com/AfroDreamFest/photos_stream

Don’t forget to leave a comment and share your thoughts. Visit www.afrodreamfest.com, sign up on the email list to stay updated on future events.

Beautifully Dreaming Positively Doing

Tosinger

Songs of 2014 – A Selection of 12 – #HappyNewYear

Here’s to the end of 2014 and sharing with you all, a personal selection of 12 songs in no particular order of preference, that I’ve absolutely enjoyed this past year.  Cheers to a better and brighter 2015 and thanks once again to everyone who supported, shared and contributed to  my indiegogo campaign for my upcoming debut album Organically Singing 2015, even though the funding goal wasn’t met, every single drop goes a long way. I’m grateful.

“When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.” – Confucius

My full vote of thanks & way forward can be read here. Cheers to family, friends and well-wishers, cheers to more songs and positive, beneficial, creative ventures, collaborations and progress for all in 2015. Viva La Africa & The Arts.

Here goes a selection of 12 songs released in 2014 by a varied array of artists, home and abroad that I absolutely loved and enjoyed~ Hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Video released in 2013)

 

 

 

 

 

and of course to cap it all, I leave you with ‘good vibes’ from yours truly

 

Wishing you a prosperous and wonderful 2015

Beautifully Dreaming…Positively Doing

Tosinger

Afrikan Keresimesi (#Christmas) Carol @Tosinbeats @Tosinger

This blog post is following my writer friend Malaka‘s comment  saying — I’m the only person she knows who has vehemently insisted there are Christmas carols written and sung in Yoruba (my native language from Southwestern part of Nigeria) — 🙂   And there are really, traditional ones and one I incorporated here ‘Olugbala’, an original I wrote in 2012.  However, in this post, I am sharing a homely informal spontaneous recording of a composition of my musical brother ‘Tosin’ who I’d spotlighted sometime ago on the blog . He did a quick fly by Atlanta a couple of weeks ago.. and we decided to do an impromptu acoustic recording of a Yoruba ‘Owambe’ (party vibe) Christmas Song he wrote.

Here’s wishing you all a fantastic Christmas filled with love, joy , peace and everything Jesus the reason for the season brings. Enjoy and share!

 

Tosin says:

I grew up in post-colonial Nigeria, but the residue of colonialism was still palpable enough to have some impact on the post-colonial kids. For instance, I had British teacher in elementary school, and a British principal in high school. So we kept to some “oyinbo” (Caucasian) mannerism. However, I was able to, and still, blossom in my African way of life through enculturation fostered by my parents and my surroundings. And my musical direction is a reflection of this way of life.

With that said, I recently thought about doing an Afrikan Christmas Carol. Not that some African composers have never written some before, but I realized that we just repeat the same ol’ ones. So, on Wednesday morning (Dec. 10), the Heavens blessed me with a new composition. It was a few hours before my flight to Atlanta. And on getting to Atlanta I decided to do a quick collaboration with my Nigerian sister also called Tosin. The style of music I employed for this song is called Owambe.

  Hope you enjoyed it!

************************************************************************

In the mean time, the campaign for my debut album ‘Organically Singing’ is still on.. just a few days left!! If you haven’t, please check out the link here http://bit.ly/1wK84Iv contribute, support, pre~order/get perks for this good music about to be cooked, the kitchen is set, the cooks are skilled, we just need help with getting the ingredients to begin the process. Thanks to those whose hearts believe in the project and have been sharing the link. Campaign ends on Dec 29. Thank you! And the meraki goes on …  Season’s Greetings!

 

Beautifully Dreaming… Positively Doing..

Tosinger

Merci Beaucoup – Preview from #OrganicallySinging

Presenting a short acoustic spontaneous version of ‘Merci Beaucoup’ (Thank you very much) – work in progress song from my upcoming debut album project ORGANICALLY SINGING Summer 2015.  I invite you to join me on board this uniquely refreshing organic and healthy afro~soulful music journey at http://igg.me/at/organicallysinging .  I appreciate your contribution to the indiegogo campaign (currently 9% at 28 days left …Help!!! :D) where you can  also lock in your pre-public/pre-order and get perks as well. A special thank you to all who have supported so far.

Laolu Senbanjo on Acoustic Guitar, Kunle Ade on Percussions and Eli Fola on the Saxophone. Recorded at Complete Studios, New York Oct 2014

 

Beautifully Dreaming.. Positively Doing…

xoxo

Tosinger

Season Finale of @NdaniTV ‘s Gidi Up 2

Gidi Up is a Nigerian television and web drama series starring OC Ukeje, Somkele Iyamah, Adeyemi Okanlawon and Titi Sonuga in lead roles. The series is created by Jadesola Osiberu and executively produced by Lola Odedina. It is produced by Ndani TV and sponsored by GTBank. Episodes are first aired online through Ndani.tv web channel and the first episode was aired on 20 February 2013.

The series follows the lives of four young adults (Obi, Tokunbo, Eki and Yvonne) who are pursuing success and independence in the city of Lagos, revealing the challenges they are faced with at every step of the way in their quest to achieve their dreams. The title of the series is culled from the popular term “Las Gidi”, a nickname for Lagos city.

The first season of the series was an eight-part web miniseries, with a length of approximately eight minutes per episode and used to be broadcast only online.The second season was however converted into a full 30-minute episodial television and webseries, with the first season combined together, re-edited and aired on television as the pilot episode for season 2. (culled wiki)

I got hooked on Season 2 and the season finale Episode 12 was published today.  This will not be a review, or an expose on my favorite or least favorite characters because I will not like to preempt your thoughts about it. I must say it however gives you a good perspective of contemporary modern life of the young and upwardly mobile professionals in today’s Africa plus it’s great entertainment. The script/film is quite impressive and the acting is on point. I have compiled the videos below for your easy viewing. Enjoy!

And if you want to watch a compact Season one, here goes

Beautifully Dreaming…Positively Doing..

Tosinger

Three Short Films For The Weekend

 Three Short Films For The Weekend

FrostBite by NdaniTV

Ndani Shorts is a new NdaniTV short film series that will showcase the reality of life in contemporary Africa.

The premiere edition titled Frostbite is a heartwarming story of a passionate love and its journey through the actuality of the real world. 

UDUDEAGU – Short Film by @azemezi

Photo by Alakija

Akwaeke Emezi is an Igbo and Tamil writer and high spirited filmmaker. She was born in Umuahia and raised in Aba, Nigeria. Her work is often set in a landscape of disquietude, deep and surreal, it pushes past comfortable morality to honestly explore the margins of humanity. More about her at http://www.azemezi.com/

UDUDEAGU  is a  short, poignant, personal narrative carrying deeply dark but beautiful visuals. Udueagu is an experimental short film featuring Adegoke Ogukoya (aka Ade Bantu) and  narrated by Akwaeke herself in Igbo poetic phrases. It was shot in Lagos, Nigeria, 2014. The film has already been shown at the Chicago Home Theater Festival and is slowly but surely grabbing attention.

  Go Super Eagles Go By Intense Films

 Artist, Designer, Musician and film maker Obinna Okerekeocha is into documentaries and telling African stories via Motion picture through his media outfit ‘Intense Films’.

In the spirit of the World Cup Season, here is his 1 min short  on the Super Eagles, you can watch the rest of his film work here 

In ’94, it was a dream in the land of dreams. In ’98, it was a French Summer. Two years after the new millennium, it was a blaze in the land of the samurai. In Brazil, we will soar because we are Strong. We are united. We are the Super Eagles of Nigeria! Go Super Eagles Go!

Beautifully Dreaming… Positively Doing..

Tosinger

#BringBackOurGirls Day 57- Two Videos, One Cause

#BringBackOurGirls Day 57

Out of Sight is not Out of Mind

Here’s presenting two recent works of media that seek to  bring attention to the facts and the reality of the abduction of the Chibok girls of Nigeria by Boko Haram. The first is a docu-short put together by David Adeogun of GlassVisuals for the Merry Hearts Foundation;  a 7 minute piece about “Girls, Education, Nigerian reform, and the urgency and necessity of bringing these girls back”. The second is a music video by Ayoola in collaboration with other Nigerian artistes.

Empowering Youths in Africa

 Founded by Bunmi Babajide,  Merry Hearts Foundation  is a non-profit organization committed and dedicated to encouraging and helping youths and children to reach their full potential through education.The Merry Hearts Scholarship Fund is an initiative of The Merry Hearts Foundation (MHF) Inc.

The Merry Hearts Scholarship Fund’s main objective is to provide financial assistance in the form of a scholarship to students in need, while promoting an environment of encouragement to let the students know and understand that they are of value not only to their family and school, but to their nation and the global arena.On a daily basis, due to lack of education, too many of our talented youths are being denied a chance to  achieve  their dreams.

#BringBackOurGirls Video by the Merry Hearts Foundation.

 

David Adeogun of Glass Visuals, a London based filmmaker whose work I have become familiar with over time compiled, produced, and edited the piece. He says:

“This issue is very serious… Every second, every sign, every yell, every action, is needed. Everyone working together is actually a sign of unity and focus. We want this piece to be global. We want it to go beyond us. We want this video to be played on a speaker in front of GoodLuck Jonathan’s mansion. We want it to roar on the computers & screens of every wifi handler in Lagos, Abuja, Victoria Island, the village- Every place, e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e.! We want Boko Haram and every organization that has limited Africa to be fed up and gutted by the cries of the people world wide. United we can send even more chills down the spines of every man and woman until something is done”

Ayoola, a Nigerian Artist who won MTN Project Fame West Africa (Season 5) also recently released a song collaboration (with other notable Nigerian Artistes) for the #BBOG cause

AYOOLA FT. SOUND SULTAN, VECTOR, MOEAZY, ZAINA, G_FRESH – FREEDOM (#BRINGBACKOURGIRLS)

 

Keeping hope alive…

Beautifully Dreaming… Positively Doing..

Tosinger