You know that feeling? That deep, resonant echo you get when a sound hits your soul just right? That’s the feeling Satozz is packaging and delivering to the world. Born in Osun and sharpened on the grind and glory of Ibadan, this artiste isn't just making music—he’s bottling the very essence of the Yoruba heartland. We sat down with the man whose sound is as rich as amala on a Sunday afternoon to talk roots, revelation, and why an argument with his padi dem became the biggest blessing in his career. Get ready for some serious talk, Nigerian style.
The Ibadan Symphony: Where Music Becomes Life
For Tosin Saseyi, a.k.a. Satozz, the music wasn't in the practice room; it was in the street.
"My earliest relationship with music was not with an instrument, but with my environment," he shares. "Ibadan is a symphony of its own—the constant rhythm of generators, the melodic calls of market women, the percussive beat of rainfall on zinc roofs, and the ever-present sound of Highlife, Fuji, and Jùjú drifting from roadside speakers."
It’s a powerful picture, one where the mundane becomes the magical. The church choir taught him harmony, but the family compound during the holidays—that’s where he learned that music is a communal story, sung aloud with a full belly and a happy heart. Music isn't just something you hear; "it's something you feel in the chaos and the calm." E choke!
The Argument That Birth A Star
So, what lights the fire under a soulful musician? A profound vision? A divine calling? Omo, far from it!
"Ok, this might sound funny, but my actual interest in music actually stemmed up from an argument with my friends," Satozz admits with a laugh. As a self-confessed novice during a music discussion, he felt the sting of not having much to contribute. His response? Not sulking, but a mission. "I said to myself then that I will consume a lot of Afrobeats music."
That initial drive to prove a point evolved into a genuine passion, leading him to devour different genres and discover his own voice. From that playful rivalry, a true artist was born.
The Foundations: Ayefele, Destiny Kids, and Don Moen
When you talk influences, Satozz’s list is a sweet cocktail of gospel, Highlife, and childhood joy.
"My dad was a huge fan of Yinka Ayefele," he recalls, meaning the foundational sound was the rich, deep, story-telling Jùjú-gospel fusion of the Tungba master. Add the infectious, spiritual energy of the Destined Kids and the universal worship of Don Moen, and you get a clear picture: Satozz started as a gospel song guy.
"Will I say life happened? Lol," he jokes. That foundational spirituality, however, clearly remains the soul in his Afrosoul.
The first piece of gear that truly sang to him? The drum set. "I dey beat drum set die." Though he dabbled with the keyboard and flute, the rhythm remains his anchor, allowing him to lay down basic keys and chords to shape his sound.
The Creative Gbedu: Feeling First, Words Later
So, how does a Satozz track come to life? It’s a beautifully organic process that starts with the gut.
"It's almost always a feeling first," he explains. "A specific emotion—longing, joy, resistance—that needs a home." Then, a melodic phrase—a hum, a nonsense syllable—that carries the tone. The rhythm is next, often tapped out on a thigh or a table, and only then do the lyrics step in. "The lyrics are the final layer, the conscious thought that gives shape to the initial, wordless feeling. They have to earn their place and feel as natural as the melody."
In the studio, it's a sacred space. Dim lights, maybe incense, and deep collaboration with a producer who gets the vibe. "It's a conversation. I'll sing an idea, they'll respond with a sound, and we build the world of the song together. I need that trust."
The biggest challenge? Knowing when to stop editing. "The most challenging part is knowing when the raw, initial spark has been preserved... Overthinking is the enemy of soul music."
The Breakthrough: Monalisa and 'What U Want'
That first major step into professionalism? It wasn't about a record label; it was about self-investment. Satozz saved up from his brief teaching stint to record a proper three-track demo in a real studio. "That was the moment I shifted from seeing myself as someone who sings to someone who is an artiste."
His biggest breakthrough single? The ladies’ anthem, "Monalisa." "It was a jam for the ladies and it was well loved and well received. Can't be more prouder," he beams, giving a big shoutout to Tempo Vibz for bringing the idea to life.
Releasing his debut album, What U Want, felt like "giving a piece of my soul to the world and hoping it would be handled with care." The biggest lesson? Trust your intuition over trends. He almost didn't include his most soulful tracks because they felt "too niche." Those, of course, are now the core fan favorites.
The Heart of the Message: Vibes & Reality
His stage name? Simple, yet effective: Satozz is a smooth blend of his initials from his surname and first name.
And the song that most defines his message? "Vibes&Reality" featuring his brother, Khashope. "A lovely Afrosoul Track and one for the playlist," he urges. The word he uses to describe his entire body of work? You guessed it: Vibes&Reality.
On stage, all that introspection becomes an outward offering. "I feel completely free and completely vulnerable... The music moves through me, and I become a vessel." Performing at the Choc Party in 2021 was his most memorable experience—the crowd sang back every word, and the song stopped being his and became theirs.
His central message to listeners is clear: Remember Who You Are. "Remember your roots, your strength, your humanity." His music is an invitation to feel deeply, to be present, and to know that you are a "beautiful, complex, and divine being."
What is success now? It’s not about charts and awards. It's about a fan saying his song made them feel less alone. It’s the freedom to create art on his own terms, knowing that "it has touched a human heart. That is the ultimate wealth."
If he could talk to his younger self, what would he say? "Protect your spirit... Your sensitivity is your superpower, not a weakness. Nurture it, and don't let the noise of the industry make you cynical or harden your heart."
Satozz is on a mission to leave a legacy that is not just a catalog of songs, but a feeling. He wants to be remembered as an artiste who "helped build a bridge between the soul of the African continent and the world."
We hear that, Satozz. We feel that. Now, go press play and catch the Vibes & Reality!
What’s the first Satozz track you’re going to be adding to your playlist after reading this? Let us know in the comments!
Stream Satozz Music on Spotify
Note:
If you're not clicking those colored texts, kindly Know you're missing something important 😃...
What do you think about this track?
We want to hear from you all.
Drop your comments
![[Music] King wealth Beatz Ft. Shidu Marley - Owo](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbQbAgSdUsqFJqC06p-yIJGajTU9OQo_Sc5wvwYaqlkcowkuCp8CyWR46dG56g-SyKy7L6WVL_HxpyYwwRd9HtU5uyPMazn2V7eMFE8o5ffQpBlz_cvvb7xXRh5BVTjTMPp5IPBXQawgZKBE15wgKMmOb43pgc-t3AAKKxWxGvAk8-xYMk-H7gmdBcIs/w680/MUSIC_Owo_1722970890813.jpg)
