From the vibrant streets of Ilorin to the corners of Hull, Tomi Folayan is steadily carving out a global presence in gospel music. With a message rooted deeply in faith and authenticity, Folayan's journey is one of devotion, resilience, and divine purpose. His musical calling began at a young age, dedicating much of his teenage years to Christian fellowships and church-based musical ministry. Despite life’s many detours, including shelving his plans for a music degree in favour of studying English, his passion for gospel music never wavered.
Starting out as a songwriter, Tomi Folayan gradually grew into a recording and performing artiste, establishing himself within his local community. His dedication led to the founding of a music group during his university years, providing a platform not only for his growth but for others like him seeking a voice through music. In 2018, he released LIBERTY, a soul-stirring debut EP that reflected his spiritual depth and musical maturity. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Folayan remained active, organising several gospel concerts in Ilorin and using the time to regroup, rebrand, and refine his craft. He also took the initiative to learn musical instruments and connect with other gospel musicians, showing a hunger to evolve and expand his sound. Balancing his music career with work in digital marketing, Tomi made a notable return with back-to-back single releases: “Babatitunmise (God Rebranded)” and “Saluting Twale.” These songs marked a new chapter, fusing traditional gospel influences with contemporary elements and showcasing the refined artistry of a man who never stopped believing in his calling.
In an exclusive interview with TurnTable, Tomi Folayan opens up about his musical discovery, the sacrifices of his early years, his experience navigating a major relocation, and the creative rebirth that followed. With a refreshed sound and renewed purpose, he discusses what listeners can expect next as he steps boldly into the spotlight once more.
TTC: When people hear the name Tomi Folayan, what do you want them to think or expect?
TOMI FOLAYAN: Well, people mistake my name for AFOLAYAN first of all, but my name is Folayan. It’s complete, we didn’t remove the “A”, it’s just Folayan. People think I removed the “A”, but I didn’t. My father always corrected that when I was little. I want people to think the opposite of my name when they hear it. Tomi means SATISFIED. I want people to reflect on the importance of staying strong and faithful in their devotion to God, because doing so brings a rewarding and satisfying sense of purpose.
TTC: How did your journey into music begin? What inspired you to pursue it seriously?
TOMI FOLAYAN: My journey began while I was in my penultimate year in secondary school, just after I went through a surgery that almost claimed my life. I hung out a lot with friends who were music enthusiasts, we were made Fellowship of Christian Students (FCS) Excos back then. More like God was channelling our enthusiasm towards his direction. Some of my mates and juniors then kept looking at us like these guys were too packaged (big boys, swag) to be excos. I mean, we held major roles in the FCS like President, Prayer Coordinator, and Secretary positions. People complimented my twin and I in church whenever we led songs or preached. A lot of people assumed that we had skeletons that needed to be revealed. So instead of leaving them in their state of curiosity, I decided to do a reverse psychology on them by using their curiosity to lead them to Christ. Then, God gave me a lifestyle that influences people around me positively. I started as a songwriter and evolved into a recording artiste, then a performing artiste while I was in the university because I got exposed to performing arts as a course. When I was going to pick my course at the University of Ilorin, I wanted performing arts, but my parents were more like, it’s too streamlined and being that my father was in that field for a while, I just followed their advice knowing I’ll still minor in a lot of performing art courses. Then I found myself saving up money for musical projects and collaborating with some artistes in school to the extent I had to call my twin brother one day and ask for his permission to sell our PlayStation in order to raise money for a studio session.
TTC: You released your LIBERTY EP in 2018 but took a noticeable break afterwards. What did that pause mean for your career and creative process?
TOMI FOLAYAN: Oh, no. I didn’t take a break actually. I just really wanted to build a system. While I was serving my country during NYSC, I remember I had my business card printed during that period. It was also really hard rehearsing with my team because I would have needed to travel from Lagos to Ilorin, where most of them were based. As a matter of fact, some of them were also serving that year, meaning I would have to foot their transportation bills. I kept composing medleys and building connections in the gospel entertainment industry, where I met several artistes, both in the gospel and secular space. I had a number of discussions on how to grow as an independent artiste, then the COVID-19 pandemic came. However, before the lockdown took place, I had a concert in the city of Ilorin. I invited some of the artistes I connected with while I was serving as a way of building a stronger gospel music community in the city of Ilorin. I have always been big on building a strong gospel music community. Then, while the lockdown was on, I picked up the keyboard and started learning. I pleaded with my church to allow me to take the keyboard home because I couldn’t afford to get one for myself and they agreed to. Then, while COVID was on, I took some courses on music business online. I basically just buried myself into music during the COVID period to be honest, writing songs and reviewing lyrics by some friends in the industry.
TTC: This year, you returned with two powerful singles, “Babatitunmise (God Rebranded)” and “Saluting Twale.” What were the inspirations behind these songs?
TOMI FOLAYAN: I returned with a concert, “The Exhibit”, before the COVID-19 lockdown. “Babatitunmise” was released in 2018 under my LIBERTY EP. As a student of art who studied the English language, I featured one of the books we read in class in the song, especially the second verse (Lord of the Flies by William Golding), so it gave the song a storyline. I had a concert in 2021, then I released a single, “Oreofe (Grace),” in 2022 before relocating. In 2023, I studied the gospel music scene in the UK as regards organising concerts, and I also helped promote some new releases and gospel concerts here in the UK. Early this year, we got “Saluting Twale”, which was a result of my struggles as an immigrant; I had to start from scratch again, even though I was working online as a digital marketer. I can remember I was at work one day and the song started in my head. The melody started off as a worship song, which was me basically telling God about my struggles as an immigrant. So when I was on break at work, I quickly recorded it on my phone. After work, I missed my bus back home so I had to trek home for 1hr 12min thereabout. I kept talking to God about the problems and how I was overwhelmed. At that moment, I got a conviction about my situation that my problem had been solved. I started singing the song I composed. The more I sang, I unconsciously changed the lyrics to what we have now. It’s all a result of my level of faith and trust.
TTC: Gospel music is a rich and diverse space. What sets your sound and message apart from others in the genre?
TOMI FOLAYAN: This is a very good question, which I have ruminated on for a while in the first 2 years of being active. People usually ask me what genre of music I do. But as a creative person who never wants to be boxed into one genre of music. That’s why you see I have a couple of genres, e.g. Trap, Rock, Afrobeat, and I will still tap into other genres. I guess I would say the anxiety, the uncertainty, the surprise, and the easy assimilation of my lyrics.
TTC: What is the long-term goal you hope to achieve through your music?
TOMI FOLAYAN: Well, I grew up participating in musical concerts and organising events. Personally, I prefer performing to recordings at the studio because I want to always give people an experience whereby they come to lay their problems in the presence of God. Instead of going to drink their problems away or sleeping on them, only to wake up the next morning with the same level of problems. Music moves me from a place of uncertainty to certainty and that’s what I want for people who listen to my music.
TTC: Do you have any mentors or gospel artistes you look up to? If so, who and why do they inspire you?
TOMI FOLAYAN: Yeah, I grew up listening and watching a lot of Tye Tribbett and Kirk Franklin’s songs and videos. I would get internet data just to download their performances. I love them because of the energy and actions in their performances on stage (more like they demonstrate the lyrics excellently), which I would also say affected my stage management a lot. While I was in Ilorin, Paul Allison mentored me, then I met Folabi Nuel in Lagos, and he also mentored me. This opened my eyes to a lot of differences in the industry as regards location.
TTC: If you could collaborate with any gospel artiste, who would it be and why?
TOMI FOLAYAN: You know what? I have had my eyes and ears on Kierra Sheard. I fell in love with her sound, not just her songs, while I was in university. I think around 2016, I called her “my sugar mummy” jokingly on social media, and she replied. I’d really love to collaborate with her. I think because she got my sense of humour right after that post. I think we just might have a pretty good chemistry on a song together. You know what? After that encounter with her online, I developed the courage to talk to people who have achieved what I want to achieve.
TTC: Should your fans look forward to new music soon? Perhaps an EP, album, or upcoming stage performances?
TOMI FOLAYAN: Definitely! This year, I’ll have a concert that will feature a couple of musicians from different parts of England. I’m also going to release an EP with a few collaborations with Ilorin’s One Voice and one of Minister GUC’s producers, who has been a very good friend and a pioneer of gospel music, “Oyin Bamidele”. I’m also working on an international collaboration at the moment. This year is a musical year as it stands, so expect a lot of musical projects.