INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY — JOSIE MAN
Tomi Agape is a soul singer with rich vocals. Last year she dropped her first EP and it’s one banger after another, among the tracks is better which was a collaboration between herself and JULS, an Amapiano track, that gets you in the mood to dance. Whether Tomi’s singing about her city London or love, her songs have an afro essence that keeps you on your feet.
Interview by SOPHIE EMMETT
Photographs by EVA PENTEL
Special thanks Clarks Originals
“For women’s international day 2021, I choose to challenge - Sexism and the stereotypes behind being a woman”
— TOMI AGAPE
HI TOMI, SO YOU’VE JUST HAD A NEW TRACK DROP WITH PSYCHO P, DJ T1Z AND JAYLON, MARIA! YOUR VERSE IS GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION, HOW LONG DID YOU WORK ON THIS COLLABORATION AND HOW ARE YOU?
Hey, Yeah I got a message from Psycho P and he sent me a couple of beats to see which one id vibe with the most. I picked my favourite and then I went to record it with him and we shot the video on the same day! This was October 2020. Also, I’m fine Thank you! Surviving.
LAST YEAR, YOU DROPPED YOUR DEBUT EP ‘NEVER GUNNA BE THE SAME’ INTERESTINGLY THE NAME, ALMOST CAME THROUGH AS PERMISSION AS I DON’T KNOW IF LIFE WILL EVER BE THE SAME AS WE KNEW BEFORE 2020. TALK US THROUGH WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO RELEASE YOUR FIRST EP?
Releasing my first body of work was great. I went through a bunch of emotions whilst creating the songs and I felt the name was fitting because of what we had all been through in 2020.
PHOTOS ABOVE: TOMI AGAPE WEARS ALL GARMENTS, PRETTY LITTLE THING, SHOES, CLARKS ORIGINALS Wallabee - White/Black
THE EP AS A WHOLE FEELS REFLECTIVE IN LESSONS LEARNED IN LOVE, I THINK THE SONG THIS WAY HAS KEY LYRICS LIKE ‘LOVE HAS MADE ME THIS WAY” THESE FOR ME SET THE TONE AND THE OVERALL THEME OF THE COLLECTION OF SONGS. WOULD YOU AGREE?
I would agree yes, for most of the songs this is the theme. I’m a lover girl.. I love, love ha!
AFTER WATCHING YOUR LYRIC VIDEO FOR THE TRACK LONDON, I FELT A SENSE OF WHAT LIFE USED TO BE LIKE, ESPECIALLY HERE IN LONDON, PRE LOCKDOWN SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO HAVE A GOOD TIME! DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL NIGHT IN LONDON?
My ideal nights in London are either chilled nights in with loved ones, eating, and watching movies/series. Or I love getting dressed up and going out to eat or to a little party with my girls.
YOUR FAST BECOMING THE PRINCESS OF AFRO BEATS, HAVING OPENED UP FOR THE LIKES OF MR EAZI, DAVIDO AND RUNTOWN EARLY ON IN YOUR CAREER. WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM THESE EXPERIENCES AND DID ANY OF THESE ARTISTS GIVE YOU GOOD ADVICE THAT YOU’VE PUT INTO PRACTICE SINCE?
I wouldn’t say my music is necessarily “Afro beats” per say. It’s more of a fusion of sounds with an afro essence.
YOU’VE BEEN WORKING QUITE CONSISTENTLY, IN COLLABORATING WITH JULS SINCE COMING ONTO THE SCENE, HOW DID YOU TWO ORIGINALLY MEET AND SO FAR WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE TRACK WITH HIM?
Juls is family at this point! I met him through an old friend of mine years ago I think I was about 19 at the time. She introduced us and we’ve worked ever since. I think my favourite would have to be “After six”, a song we did for his first project “leap of faith.”
PHOTOS ABOVE: JACKET, DIESEL, CROP TOP, STYLISTS OWN, SKIRT, JENN LEE, NECKLACE, MI MANERA, SHOES, CLARKS ORIGINALS Wallacraft Lo Off White Camo
FROM YOUR ARRIVAL ONTO THE SET; BEING READY TO SLAY! I CAN SEE THAT STYLE IS A KEY ASPECT OF YOUR AESTHETIC! HOW WOULD YOU PERSONALLY DESCRIBE YOUR LOOK?
Haha thank you. I think I’d describe my look as effortless, a little temperamental & always FUEGO.
WITH LIVE MUSIC & PERFORMANCE UP IN THE AIR, WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACHIEVE IN 2021, OTHER THAN BEING ABLE TO LEAVE THE HOUSE FOR MORE THAN EXERCISE AND WORK?
My goal is to still create, write and I’m working on myself. I want to come out of this pandemic the best version of myself possible. Also taking time to be gentle with myself.. I tend to be very harsh and critical of myself.
PHOTOS ABOVE: DRESS, ASOS, BELT, PRETTY LITTLE THING, GLOVES, CHRISTOPH RITTER, RINGS, IVIESVBYIYY, SHOES, CLARKS ORIGINALS Wallabee - black / white
WOMEN THAT INSPIRE YOU IN MUSIC AND/ OR IN LIFE?
My mum, my aunt, and my younger sister inspire me the most!
FOLLOW TOMI AGAPE
CREATIVE TEAM
CREATIVE DIRECTION — SOPHIE EMMETT
PHOTOGRAPHER — EVA PENTEL
VIDEOGRAPHER — COREE VAJON
FASHION STYLIST — JEN ELETO
SPECIAL THANKS
Thanks to @lethally for gifting all of the team and talent!
Big ups to @nanadosuk & @wrayandnephew + @cakesbydaisy for supplying all the beverages on the day.