Tomi Tribe is the ultimate multi-talented force to be reckoned with in the world of music. A Nigerian DJ, artiste, music producer, and urban lifestyle merch entrepreneur based in Los Angeles, Tomi Tribe is leading the charge of the Afrobeats surge in California and across the western seaboard of the entertainment capital of the world – America.
With an unparalleled skill for creating and curating music that speaks to the soul, Tomi Tribe embodies the culture of the sonic melting pot that Nigeria has become. He lives and breathes this culture, infusing every beat and every track with the heart and soul of the most populous black nation on earth.
Tomi Tribe is a true master of his craft, seamlessly blending the best of traditional and contemporary African music with the latest and greatest sounds from around the world. His music is a celebration of diversity, a fusion of cultures and rhythms that transcends borders and unites people of all backgrounds.
As a true trailblazer and trendsetter, Tomi Tribe’s influence extends far beyond the music industry. He is an entrepreneur with a keen eye for style and a passion for urban culture. Through his unique and innovative Merch line, he brings the same level of creativity and originality to the world of fashion and lifestyle as he does to his music.
In short, Tomi Tribe is the embodiment of Afrobeats in Hollywood. He is a true visionary, a master of his craft, and a cultural icon who is pushing boundaries and breaking down barriers with every beat.
Can you tell us a little bit about your background and how you got into music?
I grew up in a household full of music, I was in the choir when I was younger, played music instruments, listening to music in the car on road trips, I enjoyed music. As time went on I started to find out I really did like to do music, it started with throwing parties, organizing events, mostly throwing the parties in my parents house when they go out of town, and here we are today.
Your real name is Tomi Atolagbe and your stage name is Tomi Tribe. What’s the story behind the name?
There is no crazy story to the name, it’s just a situation where I said I’m going to take my craft more seriously and I wanted to standout from others who were doing similar things. I didn’t want to limit myself to being just a ‘Dj’ by adding DJ to my name. I just wanted something that would standout, I chose tribe, since I was working and collaborating with different people.
What music or musicians were your favourites while you were growing up?
One of the guys that modelled the way I move as a musician is Pharell Williams, his whole movement showed me that you can be an individual when it comes to music, you just have to go with your taste and what you enjoy, then make it work.
How would you describe your style of music?
My style of music just has to get you, it connects with you regardless of it being Amapiano, Afrobeats, and Hip-hop, and whenever you hear it you just feel the difference.
What is your favourite thing about music?
The way it makes me feel
Can you talk about your experience being a Nigerian artist based in Los Angeles and how has the American music industry influenced your work?
I always tell people Los Angeles is the last coast to get Afrobeats, we are moving upwards towards the Chicago’s, New York’s, but also it allows us to try new things, understand Afrobeats culture. There’s a big difference in an Afrobeats party in Los Angeles compared to Atlanta.
How would you describe your evolution as a person and an artist, since the day you started till now?
It’s just constant growth, constant learning, and constant exploration. Always trying to figure out new things, what’s the best way to do things, get a new sound, new an idea. I have always just trying to do different things, it doesn’t enrich or move me if I’m doing a sound that someone has done already, I need to feel something for it when I do it because if you are really doing music then you must love it.
You were a DJ before you were a producer, which was always your secret weapon as an artist?
There is no secret weapon; I just go through seasons to be honest. Sometimes I’m all for the work, write some songs, bring an artiste to the studio, while other times, I just want to DJ; throw some parties, sometimes I don’t even want to do any of that, I just want to be an executive and plan things. I’m always in a state of constant exploration.
How are you able to transition from the wheels of steel to an artist and then a producer?
I just do it seamlessly because they all run together. They all flow together.
What is your creative process like when producing new music?
It’s definitely the beat, it’s picking out the beat, whether I produced the beat, or someone helped produce the beat. Finding the right beat that I want is all I do, I gather beats all the time. Then I play it to artistes I work with.
You have a project titled “Ni Nigeria”, can you tell us more about it and what inspired you to embark on it?
Is a record my guy Toye and I put that together. We were in Nigeria last December, partying and having a good time, and I told him to listen to some beats, we vibe to it with our experience in Nigeria, finalize and something great came out.
What was your experience like traveling to Nigeria for the project, and what were some of the most memorable moments from your trip?
Nigeria is always a vibe; coming out here to chill, party, network, and the song was a by-product of been out here to live. Being a Nigerian American, I find it important to come back as much as possible just to enjoy life a little bit out here.
How do you think your project will contribute to promoting Nigeria culture and music on a global scale?
I feel like this song “Ni Nigeria” is just bridging the gap, as I’m able to go back and forth from Los Angeles to Lagos and from Lagos to Los Angeles. I’m just bridging the gap, bringing what I know here and from there vice-versa.
Can you talk about any challenges you faced while working on “Ni Nigeria?
The biggest challenge for the record is when it comes down to the marketing, promotions, and budgets. I don’t really force anything.
“Afrobeats is sexy. Girls love it and if the girls love it, everything else follows.”
What is the perception and acceptance of Nigerian music in LA?
Nigerian music is big in LA, Afrobeats is big in LA it doesn’t matter whether you’re white, black or Latin, everyone is rocking with Afrobeats one way or another right now.
What are the differences between Nigerian and American audiences?
Back home in Los Angeles, from a club perspective, there is more dancing in the club; out here it’s a little more cool, and chilling.
What do you think sets Afrobeats apart from other music genres, and why do you think it has gained such a massive following globally?
Afrobeats is sexy. Girls love it and if the girls love it, everything else follows.
What impresses you the most about the growth of Afrobeats in recent years?
The seriousness of it, now we have the right exposure for it, the right budget for it and it has becomes a major thing. It is recognized as big business now.
Can you talk about any upcoming projects or collaborations that you’re excited about?
LA to Lagos the EP coming out sometime this summer, I have a lot of music dropping this summer, I don’t want to talk about it I just like to be about it. Just look out it will be dropping like bombs.
Lets talk about fashion, what inspires your personal style?
Once you know your vibe, you just tap into my vibe. I like colour, I like prints, at the same time I can chill it down if I need to.
“Just create, put your stuff out and enjoy it.”
You’re also an entrepreneur with your own urban lifestyle Merch. How did you get started with that, and what inspired you to branch out beyond music?
I got my underground fashion marketing management; I have been doing fashion since high school where I had a T-shirt brand. Not everyone likes parties, not everyone listen to Afrobeats, but still they can rock the merchandise, it’s just me creating something for everybody.
How do you balance your music career and entrepreneurship with your passion for cultural exchange and promoting Nigerian heritage?
Luckily for me everything is all the same thing to me. The music is coming to Nigeria and working with Nigerian artistes, music is creating Afrobeats for the world that’s part of my culture, also being an entrepreneur and selling products that uplift our culture, it’s all intertwined. I like to call it lifestyle. I am just creating a lifestyle for myself and living it.
If you could change anything about the music industry what would it be?
The pay-to-play type thing, I feel like there is too much payment to access and sometimes it waters down the culture or idea of making good music, because a lot of people who don’t have the funds are making good music but never being heard. I think there are needs to be a balance between the two. Yes nothing should be free but it shouldn’t be has difficult to get things done.
What advice would you give to other creative who are interested in using their work to promote culture and diversity?
I will say just be creative and just do it, don’t think too much about other stuff, at the end of the day none of this matters, no one cares. Just create, put your stuff out and enjoy it.
What will you like to be remembered for?
Good times. Be remembered that I was able to create a space for people to vibe out and have a good time. Creating something that can inspire the next generation.
Watch full interview here:
