L’Esprit, which translates to The Spirit, is an ode to ToBy‘s late grandma who passed away from cancer in 2019. ToBy was extremely close to his grandma – she helped raise him and always supported his musical journey when others in ToBy’s life did not (ToBy’s parents were immigrants from Haiti and did not understand why anyone would want to be a rapper for a living. ToBy’s grandma eventually got them to understand his passion). After receiving news of her cancer diagnosis in 2019, ToBy decided that he needed this record to pay tribute to the woman who helped him so much over the years. You can hear her voice on the record as a narrative guide, which was taken from a six minute convo ToBy recorded with her shortly before her passing.
Tell us who you are
I was really into music my whole life. I started out writing poems when I was super young and that turned into acting in school plays and performing at backyard shows. My friends back home were pretty music minded and they definitely nurtured that creativity when we were all together. Fast forward to now, I moved from Miami to LA and I’m still chasing after it.
What is the message behind your art?
I want my music to communicate my life experiences in a relatable way. At the end of the day I don’t think we’re all that different, my troubles and successes could be anybody elses. My favorite artists have a sense of attainability with the right mindset and work ethic. I think reminding people of that is important.
What are some sources of inspiration for your storytelling?
I’m inspired by life. My own and other people’s. I tend to gravitate to the more melancholy stuff, I don’t know why I’m a pretty happy go lucky person. I think it fascinates me and those conflicts tend to be stronger so they’re more interesting to write about.
Who is an artist that you look up to more than others today?
I think Childish Gambino’s definitely my number 1 influence. He comes from a writing background creatively, like myself and he incorporates all the different facets of his talent into one another.
What’s the record or artist that made you realize you wanted to be an artist?
Nujabes was one of the first artists who really got me obsessed with hip hop musically. Im still really into lo-fi and boom bap so whenever I hear something that reminds me of it, it takes me back to being a kid discovering rap again.
Tell us about your latest release and how it came about
The new single is a different color on the album that I felt like gave context to the narrative im portraying. Its braggadocios and in your face, but it stems from posturing and insecurity. Its supposed to depict a try hard character that’s hiding something.
What inspires your sound?
a lot of indie rock and singer songwriter artists inspire my sound in particular. I think its always cool when an artist pulls form different sounds and textures to enhance their own writing.
What’s your favorite tune of yours?
Cascades and Boyfriend always hit me the hardest. They’re packed with a lot of raw emotion and I love any chance I get to sing on a record.
Where are some things you really want to accomplish as an artist?
My goal as an artist is to set myself up to not have to answer to anybody and back all of my decisions 100%. I think thats true independence and freedom, when you’re not worried about anything above you you’re just taking care of yourself and your people.
Favorite lyric you ever wrote?
“crease on your brow forrowed, I’m too thorough. Transcend civil disobedience like Theroux.“ Its a double entendre about an obscure philosopher thats followed by bars about DC’s Watchmen and I think that’s just really creative, Im surprised I even wrote it.
Was there ever a moment when you felt like giving up?
Any artist who hasn’t felt like giving up is a robot. We all feel like giving up sometimes, but you only hear about the ones that don’t so I just try to keep going.
What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
Keep going. Nothing exists until you make it yourself.
Where do you think the next game changer will be in the music industry and entertainment scene?
The next shift in music is pointless to try and predict because its always left field. I hope its something authentic and genuine I feel like people are tapping more into their emotions these days and its a good thing.
