Episode 3: Toonna Obi-Okoye – Nigeria

Migration Patterns logo for interview with Toonna Obi-Okoye

This episode, I speak with Toonna Obi-Okoye, a Nigerian living in Edmonton. He works in IT but what he really wanted to talk to me about were his passions for film and music. I’m confident when you hear his smooth voice and tone, it’s no surprise that he has musical talents.

During our interview, Toonna describes his childhood in Nigeria and teaches us a bit about the three main tribes of the nation. We chat about hip-hop and the musical influence of Nigerian afro-beat, Bollywood, and the difficulties that creatives stumble upon in Nigeria. We also touch a bit upon the 419 internet scam and the effects of oil & gas in Nigeria.

In this episode, we briefly sample Come Closer by Wizkid feat. Drake. It was purchased through Google Play.

Toonna’s Picks

Nnamdi Azikiwe University, named after Nigeria’s first president; Nnamdi Azikiwe
Wole Soyinka; first African to win a Nobel Prize in Literature.
IrokoTv; streaming website for Nigerian movies, a la Netflix.
Fela, iconic Nigerian musician, on Spotify.
Fela on Broadway, produced by Jay Z, Will Smith, and Jada Pinkett Smith.
‘Ojuelegba Remix‘ by Wizkid featuring Drake and Skepta
‘Mine‘ by M.I Abaga featuring Wizkid

Many thanks to Toonna, he was such a fun interview and a total natural at the microphone. I wish him the best in his future creative pursuits, be it music or film-making.