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Tobby Okello, aka Toby B wants young people to know they can be versatile by pursuing a formal job while still making use of their talents and be successful in both

Jasmine Atieno @sparkleMine

If there is one lesson that many people have learnt from Covid-19 pandemic, it is that one should not put all their eggs in one basket.

Previously, many talented musician and artistes would choose to fully pursue music as a career.

But not 34-year-old-banker and hip-hop artiste, Toby Okello, also known as Toby B who sees his talent not just for entertainment but uses his music as a tool for advocacy and to serve humanity.

“There must be a balance between capitalism and ethics. Also, the people we elect to hold offices in government, who we pay salaries through our taxes ought to deliver to citizens.

My focus has been in highlighting issues related to corruption and how that affects our beloved economy: Money getting lost through dubious projects.

People who steal our money are known and they are still in offices being protected by the same government claiming to fight corruption. I mean it is a pity,” shares the last born in a family of six.

The journey

The Mombasa-based artiste was born and raised in Busia, although the family is originally from Siaya.

He attended his primary school in Busia at Lwanya Primary School where he sat his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education in 1999 before joining Kwale High School in South Coast.

After completing his O levels in 2003, he joined University of Nairobi in 2005 to pursue his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and got his first job in 2013 as a banker in Nairobi.

While working, he went back to the University of Nairobi for his Master’s in Project Planning and Management in 2016 and graduated in 2018. 

His musical journey, however, began in 2005 in Nairobi during his undergraduate studies, free styling during entertainment sessions or curtain raising for other artistes.

But it wasn’t until 2018 that he hit the studio and released his first ever solo track; Press Release. From there, he has been releasing tracks back-to-back.

Hip hop, as he shares was engraved in his heart as a child.  “I grew up listening to hip-hop and developed interest in what hip-hop stands for.

He was inspired by great musicians such as KRS One an American rapper; Immortal Technique, a Peruvian American hip hop recording artist; Wu Tang Clan and Run DMC, American hip-hop groups; Kalamashaka, the Dandora-based hip-hop group and, Mashifta among others.

They stood for literacy as weapon to fight poverty, human rights advocacy, ethics and entertainment. In other words their music is what we call edutainment,” he intimates.

In line with advocacy, he has been using his music and returns to nurture young talents in Mombasa.

He works closely with the CWD Dance Group who featured in his latest song, Njeri.

In the same breath, he has been working with totally new and upcoming videographers to give them equal opportunities to grow in the art.

This has earned him a lot of followership and love through his social media masses and peers.

“The response has been huge! I dint expect it. People write me dear messages on the impact I’m creating in the society because I do music that can be listened to by people across all ages. Also, my song writing is mature. For sure, that makes me proud,” he shares. 

Well like everybody in the creative industry he has been affected by the pandemic.

“The economy is bad and that means limited shows, plus with Ministry of Health Covid-19 guideline, I can’t do media tours to push my stuff effectively and so much more.

We all hope for all these to end. But in a way it has given me enough time to rethink, reevaluate and rediscover myself.

I’m able to read more, learn more and expectedly be able to change the globe,” Toby B shares on the current status.

Balancing act

The greatest support in his walk has been his family. His elder sister, Jane Patrick is a renowned gospel artiste, and their late parents had been their biggest supporters while still alive.

While he lost his dad in 2007 while in his second year at the university, his mother passed on last year, and things have just not been the same for him.

Still the passion for music has kept him warm through the cold days and this he uses to impact lives rather than gain materially, as he says.

“I do it as a hobby because of the intrinsic value I get from it. If I converted the lives I touch through music into tangible money, I believe it would be infinity.

I want young boys and girls to know that you can be versatile and still be successful in them all. I had good grades in school and at the same time, I’m doing music.

I have a formal job as a banker and still do music. This is my pride because the upcoming young artistes can see themselves through me. Good grades and talent is possible.

Also, all time good music that can be listened across all ages is key,” advises the rapper.

However, balancing between career and talent needs emotional intelligence and maturity.

“A certain philosopher by the name Descates said; if you have so much tasks to be done, divide them into bits and handle each bit independently. From this I do thorough planning.

Just like my two personalities, which are totally different. When I’m at the office, I give it 100 per cent and this also applies to my studio sessions, media tours and shows,” he says.