Tobi | Zikoko!

There’s so much new music being released that it’s hard for even the most loyal fans to wade through the trash to find the gems. That’s why we’ve created #BumpThis – a Friday series that features new songs, by and featuring Nigerians, that you absolutely need to hear.

TOBi — “City Blues (Remix)” ft. The Game

One of the best projects to drop in 2019 was STILL, the debut album by Nigerian-Canadian rapper, TOBi. A clear standout off the tape was the astonishing “City Blues”, which just got an equally impressive remix.

On the original track, which was inspired by Marvin Gaye’s “Inner City Blues”, TOBi raps about the immigrant experience, focusing on the struggle of feeling caught between two worlds.

For the remix, he enlists The Game, who brings an added layer to the already complex track. On his verses, the Grammy-nominated rapper thoughtfully tackles the reality of growing up black and poor in America.
1. When someone calls your name and you and about 200 people turn around.

See wahala.
2. When you go somewhere new and you’re the only one there with the name.

It’s a miracle.
3. When you turn around whenever you hear your name but they are never ever calling you.

What is this life?
4. When they start annoyingly categorizing all of you like short Tobi, orobo Tobi, tall Tobi, wowo Tobi.

Call me short Tobi first, let me kill you.
5. When you just stop looking up whenever you hear your name.

Nobody should stress me, abeg.
6. You, looking at your parents wondering why they weren’t more creative when naming you.

You people sef.
7. When people give you a nickname by force to help them differentiate.

Oversabi.
8. When everyone starts using your surname as your first name because they don’t have energy.

Are you mad?
9. When you join social media and your name is always already taken.

How many Emeka Okafors are in the world please?
10. When people keep calling you by accident because they have like 20 Emekas on their phone.

You cannot save surnames, abi what?

TOBi — “City Blues (Remix)” ft. The Game

1. When someone calls your name and you and about 200 people turn around.

2. When you go somewhere new and you’re the only one there with the name.

3. When you turn around whenever you hear your name but they are never ever calling you.

4. When they start annoyingly categorizing all of you like short Tobi, orobo Tobi, tall Tobi, wowo Tobi.

5. When you just stop looking up whenever you hear your name.

6. You, looking at your parents wondering why they weren’t more creative when naming you.

7. When people give you a nickname by force to help them differentiate.

8. When everyone starts using your surname as your first name because they don’t have energy.

9. When you join social media and your name is always already taken.

10. When people keep calling you by accident because they have like 20 Emekas on their phone.