Music  

Toba… The boy who will be a star

By Chuks Nwanne

25 May 2019   |   2:43 am

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Though currently a student of the Caleb British International School, 12-year-old Toba Boluwatife Idowu is deeply in love with music. And from all indication, making a career out of what started as a passion now looks very possible.

Toba

Though currently a student of the Caleb British International School, 12-year-old Toba Boluwatife Idowu is deeply in love with music. And from all indication, making a career out of what started as a passion now looks very possible.

Born August 15, 2006 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State to the family of Sunday Folorunsho Idowu and Janet Idowu from Akure, Ondo State, Toba’s was influenced by both cultures.“I can say that I’m an Akwaibomite/Yoruba,” he quipped.

While at the Nigeria Turkish School in Abuja for his nursery education, Toba’s singing talents wasn’t very obvious, though the passion has always been there.

“When I was there, my singing talent was not even noticed because I didn’t know how to sing. Suddenly, singing just naturally came to me as a little boy and according to my Mom, she and other people started noticing my singing. However, there was a teacher I had then, who used to say I would be a star because of my witty and smart character.”

As his family relocated to Lagos, Toba was enrolled at the Lagos Preparatory School, Ikoyi, Lagos, where his singing talent started to reveal its layers.

“My first performance ever was in year 6 when I sang a song from the sound of music titled The hills are alive with the sound of music. I was so nervous, but it got away as I started singing and immediately, there was silence; only my voice could be heard and people were crying. It was fulfilling to see that the whole school came to hear me sing. I got a standing ovation and an award,” he enthused.

It was at the Caleb British International School that Toba linked up with Mr. David (David Harmonica), who is now his producer. Since then, his music is gradually taking shape.

“As the music director of the school, he was quick to discover me and others. So, he formed an acapella group called The Cymbals. We performed during CBIS Christmas Concert in December 2017, but the performance was not so good for me because I couldn’t fit in the group.”

For the 2018 edition of the concert, the Music Director decided to give Toba a chance to go Solo.“I was nervous because Cobhams Asuquo and many other dignitaries were seated. In the end, God took the glory because I got a loud ovation again. Some days later, my mom told me she got a message that Cobhams wanted to see me, but she had her reservation.”

Since then, David Harmonica has been training and preparing Toba with the hope of helping his record his debut album.“It used to look like a big dream because I never knew what a music studio looked like; he told my parents, and that was it. He also told me that he wanted me to do a song that would live for a long time. That idea gave birth to now my first single ever Don’t Forget,” he said.

With a single out with other tracks yet to be released, Toba is hopeful that his dream of becoming a music star will eventually materialize.

“Now, I see my future differently like something very big and for sure I know that it’s big. But all this wouldn’t have happened without my mother, the best Mom in the World My mom always says she knows I will sing and become a big star. She was there with me in the studio and she really motivated me. All these would not be possible if not for her. I love you Mom,” he said.