Photo Credit: Luigi Creese.
Nigerian born, Los Angeles-based artist TOBi delivers his bold new album PANIC via RCA Records. The soulful, funkafied 12-track project further cements TOBi as a chilling storyteller with cleverly-written and tightly-woven bars as he continues to take us through pivotal moments in his life’s journey, but where TOBi becomes taciturn on certain tracks, the fullness of the production, instruments and layered harmonies, convey what’s left unspoken.
TOBi says of the album, “PANIC is the epitome of unapologetic soul music and we held nothing back, which I am truly proud of. From the stories of vulnerability, masculinity, personal family issues, social commentary, there was no stone left unturned here. I can’t wait for the world to consume it in full and I hope people appreciate the work and energy put in this because we aimed to raise the artistic ceiling higher than what it currently is.”
Recently, TOBi and his team created an interactive digital universe and social fan club. The digital hub holds his catalog that will focus on a community of core fans brought together by TOBi’s art, encouraged to stick around with an ever-evolving slate of collectible content, new releases, and engagements from TOBi and his network of artists and friends.
Earlier this year, TOBi took home another Juno Award for Rap Album/EP of the Year for Shall I Continue? making this his second win following his 2020 album ELEMENTS Vol. 1 that won the 2021 Rap Recording of the Year. Last year, his elevated COLORS performance of “Flowers” was released and his song “Move” was featured on Netflix’s Do Revenge starring Camila Mendes (Riverdale) and Maya Hawke (Stranger Things). He also performed at Afrochella at the end of last year. PANIC follows previously released projects Still, Still+ and ELEMENTS Vol. 1 and his Alex Goose-produced single and video “Before We Panic” featuring Mikky Ekko (written for Rihanna, A$AP Rocky, Drake.) The artistic visual was shot and directed by Dom McLennon (BROCKHAMPTON) and Jeremy Grier.
TOBi is a multiple JUNO winning rapper and singer, born in Nigeria, moving to Canada as a child. He quickly found an outlet in writing and performing music. Voted by Complex Magazine as “a top artist to watch,” TOBi has received critical acclaim from the likes of Billboard, Rolling Stone, i-D, COLORS, PAPER, and Sway In The Morning. His project, ELEMENTS Vol. 1 was shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize, and won the JUNO for Rap Recording of the Year in 2021. He was also Nominated for Contemporary R&B Recording of the Year and he performed at the Opening Night Award Ceremony. Prior to this album, TOBi released his debut STILL in May 2019, exploring themes of vulnerability, post traumatic growth, self-reflection and masculinity in his time emigrating from Nigeria to Canada. The JUNO love continued in 2022 and 2023 with back-to-back nominations for Songwriter Of The Year and another win for best Rap Album/EP of the year for his EP Shall I Continue?.
Most recently, TOBi has released singles including "Flowers" featuring MAVI and "All Night Long" featuring Topaz Jones – setting the tone for the album that precedes them. TOBi's latest album PANIC is out now, in what is sure to be a true breakout year for TOBi and his unapologetic soul music. On top of recording and performing, TOBi is a co-founder of UNPACK Community, a series of discussions on mental wellness in creative fields.
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