The Transition of Toyé from an underground gem to an Afrobeats breakout star

LovabledanielsJanuary 29, 202588 Views

Toyé, born Oluwatoyin Oladehinde, is a Nigerian-American singer-songwriter whose artistry blends vibrant melodies with substantive commentary on African percussion, heralding a new generation sound delightful to listeners’ ears. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, he credits his upbringing in Ibadan, Nigeria, as pivotal in shaping his musical identity. His sound seamlessly fuses Fuji, Highlife, R&B, and Afrobeats into what he terms ‘Afrofusion,’ often resulting in a calming effect on listeners despite its inherent groove, with tracks like ‘Faaji Jackson‘ featuring Cruel Santino as testament.

Toyé‘s music career commenced in 2018 after an impromptu freestyle studio session with friends, leading to the release of his debut singles ‘Attitude‘ and ‘Shayo.’ On ‘Attitude‘, an Afro-R&B fusion, Toyé expresses admiration, with strong interest and desire, for the beauty and physique of a mysterious woman. ‘Shayo,‘ released after ‘Attitude,’ explores similar themes and elements, expressing a desire for this particular muse who captivates him.

Following these initial releases, Toyé quickly found his unique sound, and his music gained significant traction in the diaspora, establishing him as a leading underground African diaspora artist. He soon achieved career milestones, including selling out shows across the U.S. in cities like Atlanta, New York, and L.A.

Despite these accolades in the U.S., Toyé’s ambition for global recognition prompted his return to Nigeria in 2023. There, he released the acclaimed single ‘Ni Nigeria‘ with Nigerian-American DJ Tomi Tribe, resulting in endorsements from industry heavyweights and co-signs from Davido and Wizkid. He further solidified his talent and impact in the Afrobeats scene by co-writing ‘Shopping Spree‘ for Davido, Chris Brown, and Young Thug.

This success in the Nigerian music scene paved the way for his 2024 hit ‘Quarter Life Crisis,’ culminating in his 8-track debut EP ‘Wahala In Paradise; a mid-tempo EP which tells stories of struggle, triumph and ambition, depicting vivid pictures of life’s highs and lows. It showcased Toyé’s growth and honed skills over the years, reflecting his evolution from an artist who spontaneously started music off a random freestyle with friends in 2018. Each track demonstrates that Toyé found his sound early in his career, continuing to build upon it as he pivots toward mainstream success, cementing his name and craft in the Afrobeats hall of fame, with the world slowly catching up.