Music Existence Because of Music, We Exist
Taiwo Oyinloye is a Nigeria-born and bred, Canada-based rap artist and songwriter. Utilizing the roots of his upbringing in Lagos and translating them to his current situation in Toronto, Oyinyloye strives to expand his unique perspective on an otherwise largely overlooked hip hop scene. He has left a sizable imprint under the pseudonym John Tony with his debut single, “Would You Mind,” since its January 27th release.
According to Oyinloye, the single centers on the endangerment of love as a positive entity. He states in the song’s description, “[I]t is disheartening to see how much love has been bastardized and its powers abused in this current age,” while emphasizing a goal restoring its efficacy in society. Noting that, I found the murky cover art for the single to fit in that context, as it complements the beat’s mournful and bleak synth tone. Oyinloye’s vocal tonality comes across as sharp and somewhat strained, a workable contrast in conveying the thematic sentiments alongside the instrumentation. Ultimately, he successfully demonstrates that emotional distance doesn’t simply make the heart grow fonder, it drives the heart insane, and often obscures that heart in a seemingly unbearable haze of infatuation that can prove difficult to conquer for anyone.
John Tony Socials:
