Biography
TolumiDE (toe-lu-mee-day) Internationally recognized Nigerian Canadian Soul Afro-Pop Singer-Songwriter. Songs are mainly English lyrics, with the occasional interjection of African Languages such as Yoruba, Pidgin English, Igbo and Twi. A unique blend of Gospel, Jazz & Reggae reminiscent of India Arie, Mary Mary and Les Nubians stylings. Influenced in her childhood years by African legacies such as Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Onyeka Owenu and Christy Essien Igbokwe as well as RnB artists such as Anita Baker, Sade, Brandy, she offers a range of dynamic and audience grabbing performances and has gained new fans and rave reviews for her debut album, ‘My Love’ currently available on itunes, amazon cdbaby and tolumidemusic.com. TolumiDE Music fans can follow her at twitter.com/tolumide and facebook.com/TolumiDEonline
The accompanying video, for the title track 'My Love' directed by Tayo Abereoje from Black Royal Pictures has been in rotation on the MTV Base, Channel O (South Africa), Trace (Europe), Gospel Music Channel (USA), MBOA TV, Nigezie and ONE Gospel TV and many online outlets. The video earned her a Channel O Music Video Awards (South Africa) nomination in the Most Gifted R&B category. The Album, which includes enhanced CD features with bonus screen Savers, Karaoke - Instrumentals, Music Video & Media, also received a nomination at the Covenant Awards nomination from the Gospel Music Association Canada in the Urban/R&B/Soul Album of the year category.
Born in Toronto and raised in Nigeria, TolumiDE's stage name is a collaboration of her first name Tolulope and her last Olumide, which translates to “Thanks and Praise to God” in her native language of Yoruba. Singing has been a big part of her early childhood and she was a member of a number of choirs at Atlantic Hall Secondary School in Nigeria, a place where she honed her musical skills during her time with the school’s cultural dance group. Deciding to pursue Graphic Arts instead of the occupation of her father, an architect and engineer, she journeyed back to Toronto and enrolled in York University’s Fine Art Program. “My faculty was filled with art, music, dance, film, television and multimedia specialties, all of which I had always wanted to explore,” shares the songstress. Immersed in the arts fully, she became part of an all-female band called “Women Ah Run Tings”. The group, producing a collage of music with Dancehall, Roots Reggae, R&B, Rock and Hip-Hop influences, caught the attention of many and ultimately became four-time Canadian Reggae Award Nominees. Not only did the group open up for artists like Burning Spear and Beenie Man, but their videos debuted on Much Music, Canada’s #1 Music Video Channel. The blessings kept coming and the opportunities gave TolumiDE a chance to hone her songwriting and singing skills, as she soon became the ensemble’s lead vocalist.
Simultaneously while pursuing her music career, she obtained her Bachelors of Fine Arts Honors Degree in Visual Arts Communication Design. The degree opened doors for her to work at a FOX affiliate and Warner Bros. where she designed motion and still graphics, on-air promotions, marketing and public affairs projects in Baltimore, MD. During her time in Maryland, TolumiDE released her first EP, Specialty, containing the hit single, “Because you Know”. The single was featured on The Green October - Volume 1 mix project and the music video garnered airplay on MTV Base Africa, Channel O, Nigezie TV and a number of online media outlets.
She’s been blessed to perform at Blues Alley, the Vancouver Jazz Festival, the Toronto Jazz Festival, the Nigerian Entertainment Awards, FestAfrica, the Canadian Reggae Music Awards, the Nigerian Embassy, Artscape, FestAfrica USA and a number of churches and other prestigious events. In addition to being a sought-after vocalist, TolumiDE sings with the Hallelujazz Project, and Toby Foyeh and Orchestra Africa, and renders the Nigerian, Canadian or American National Anthems when requested. Other acts she has opened for include Salief Keita, Tuface Idibia, P-Square, D'Banj.
Although she’s thankful for the accolades she’s already received, TolumiDE is in no way resting on her laurels She's thrilled about her first full length release, My Love. Songs like the incredibly moving “More Than You’ll Ever Know”, the funky grooves of “What I’d Like To Be” and soulful sound of “Specialty” easily demonstrate how talented this young woman is. The title tune, “My Love” is an exciting, breathtaking fusion of African rhythms, electronica and urban pop. TolumiDE has a way of conveying the gospel message totally her own.
She’s excited about the project and feels that her fans will love it as well. “It’s Gospel Soul and Afro-pop CD with a unique blend of sincere lyrics and invigorating music that fuses African and Western elements,” she explains. “I’m working with some really talented producers and musicians. I love to dance, too, so I knew I had to get some danceable party songs on there! It’s definitely a good world music mix with elements of Reggae and Jazz. I’m really excited with what I have to share.”
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