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MUSIC - TOSIN - Drummer, Songwriter and Musical Producer

ARTICLE   -   INTERVIEWS   -   VIDEOS


"As a child growing up in Nigeria, Tosin was drawn to music of various origins through his father's vast album collection, which included artists from around the world. Tosin's initial education in music started from consciously listening to those records, as well as reading the liner notes. Tosin also imbibed the indigenous sounds of his homeland with passion. These sounds reflect in his compositions. As a person of Pan-African viewpoint, Tosin professes that, "my music is a mixture of African rhythmic idioms and elements of jazz and blues, with lyrics of hope, love and human realities." In the mean time, Tosin is in the studio working on his next album."

"In 2016, Tosin appeared at the Percussive Arts Society’s International Convention as a clinician/performer. In 2014, Tosin received the Individual Artist Awards for World Music Compositions from the Maryland State Arts Council. In 2009, 2010 and 2011, Tosin was nominated for the Wammie Awards for "best world music instrumentalist" by the Washington Area Music Association. Tosin has appeared on the MTV’s Realworld Show performing his Drum Monologue. Tosin has also appeared on Fox 5 News with his group, Afrikan Rhapsody.

On the bandleader/producer side, Tosin has released 4 albums (What's On Your Mind, 2006; Drum Monologue, 2008; Restoration, 2012; Life Begins, 2013). His most recent projects are some singles released in 2015 and 2016, which include an afro-jazzy remix of Pharrell Williams’ “Happy”. His band has performed, both as headliner and opening act, at various festivals and jazz venues. Tosin continues to develop his musical concept, teach and conduct workshops."   (Excerpts from Tosin's website Bio)

HONORING HARUNA:

A mini documentary

Tosin Aribisala presents a mini documentary on the music of the late legendary Haruna Ishola - the rare gem of Apala music of the Yoruba People. Filled with some performances of some of Haruna Ishola's tunes, this short documentary takes viewers on a journey of the cultural dimension of Haruna's music, and his influence on musicians of his time and beyond.

ARTICLE:

Tosin Aribisala drops new single ‘The Big Illusion’

"Nigerian Afrobeat artist, percussionist and vocalist, Tosin Aribisala recently released his single ‘The Big Illusion’ featuring five time Grammy Award winner, Arturo O’Farrill and The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. The collaboration started in 2018 when Tosin and Arturo got together for a project honoring the works of the legendary Fela Kuti and the music of Latin America, drawing the connection between the two cultural entities. A synchronicity that even reflects in the birth date of both artists – June 22. A cross-cultural musical exchange between Africa and Latin America, with a phenomenal result."   ~ Bolaji Alonge - Eyes of a Lagos Boy


Tosin Live at Analog in Brooklyn

"The Nigerian-American singer/songwriter and drummer Tosin played at Analog down in the part of Gowanus, Brooklyn that’s somehow still pretty industrial. Drawing from his new album Africa Rising, Tosin and his band enthusiastically ripped through a set of Afrobeat-inflected tunes."   ~ Ben Richmond - afropop.org

VIDEO INTERVIEWS:

My Creative Heart interview with Tosin (FULL)


Music Time in Africa presents TOSIN with Host Heather Maxwell


Vic Firth Interview - Tosin Aribisala: Game-Changing Moment

VIDEOS:

TOSIN - New Moon Dance


Vic Forth - Performance Spotlight: Tosin Aribisala


Vic Forth - Tosin Aribisala - "Happiness" by Pharrell Williams